Perhaps the biggest problem (in my opinion) with today’s society comes down to this question. Why do people stand in ridiculously long lines to buy a $300 phone? They want it now I suppose. Not tomorrow, not next week, but NOW! I saw lines at my local Apple store with literally hundreds of people in it last week. What does it say about America? What does it say about human beings? What does it say about the “recession”? It is hard to imagine spending all day long at the mall to buy a new phone that does things only slightly better than your old phone. This can’t be a good thing. Here is my take:
~ Would Your Dad Buy It? - I asked my Dad if he would stand in a long line to but an iPhone. After he stopped laughing, his answer was, “What is wrong with the phone I have?” Followed by “even if I were going to buy the phone, I would just wait a week or 2 and buy it when the lines have gone away.” I’d say this question is a good barometer for most people when it comes to buying decisions.
~ The Lust for Bright and Shiny Objects – I know people that have the “pull” to go and buy the new iPhone the day it comes out. The problem is the excitement goes away so quickly after you buy something new and then it is off to the next thing. Rampant consumerism is becoming America’s new religion. Not good.
~ Microwave Society - With the vast amount of information and stimulation at our fingertips these days we have become a NEED IT NOW, NEED IT NOW society. A society that paces back in forth in front of the microwave is another good way to put it. We have no patience. We instead have to have the latest toy or gadget right this second and somehow measure our self-worth in terms of it. We feel a little bit superior to others if we have the newest iPhone and they don’t. If you have these tendencies it is definitely something to fight against.
~ Keeping Up With The Jones’ – This is the idea of constantly comparing yourself materially with your neighbors. Especially in terms of outward appearance. The role of “what do I have” in terms of happiness has changed a great deal the past 50 years. Aside from the Polio shot, I can’t imagine a product that people would stand in line all day long to buy fifty years ago. This is definitely a major societal shift and I think it is a bad one. It leads to an empty soul and a house full of stuff that does not bring long term happiness.
OK, I will get off my soap box now and wait for your comments. Do you agree with me or have a different take? Coupons may seem a bit hypocritical in this post but not if you were going to buy something you need and could use an extra discount. So with that in mind here are some of the better coupons on my website right now. Happy 4th of July to all!
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Kyle of Rather-be-Shopping is a regular contributor to Being Frugal.net. If you need more online coupons and codes, be sure to check out Rather-be-Shopping.com.
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Maybe I’m ‘dating’ myself here, but I’m not quite 30, yet and I consider myself ‘young’ However, when it comes to this stuff, I feel/act much older! I don’t quite get the appeal. Most if not all of those people in line, already HAVE a phone of some sort, so it’s not like they NEED it. There was a kid in the NYC Apple Store that came from Boston for the new IPhone. He came in and waited for 2-3 days outside the store so he can be first. Wow…his family must be proud. I wonder if he had/has a job and the reason he gave for taking days off from work ‘Hey Boss, I’m going to need 4 days off. I’m going to NYC to sit in front of the Apple store so I can be FIRST to get the new IPHONE!’. I just don’t get it…with all the things wrong in this country, sending money to other countries for an earthquake, an oil spill in our gulf destroying our precious commodities, people choose to spend their money this way….I just don’t get where people’s priorities are.
I am with Beth above. It drives me insane how much people want. I know there are times when I really want a new dress for some occasion but mostly, I am content. I drive a car that has been called a bomb. It has 180,000 miles on it and it still runs. We are buying a modest used car in the next couple of weeks for around 13k. We have the money sitting in the bank waiting to buy it. And the “bomb” is going to become my husband’s everyday car. I am also “young” at 28 like Beth. I suppose it is because my family never really had everything new when I was younger and I know I had jealousy then but now I have learned that there is a greater price to pay when you have all new things, more than just the $ you spent.
I wouldn’t stand in line to buy something shiny and new, nope. I love gadgets and I like to have newish ones, but I can wait till they’re not quite so shiny…my time is more valuable than that.
I pretty much agree with you. I think “What Would Dad Do?” is a pretty cool mantra. Not that I’d always agree with my dad, but putting things in that perspective might give decisions a new light.
The only thing I can remember waiting in line more than an hour for is a (swine) flu shot.
Let me play the devil’s advocate here. I am 27 and I was one of the people who stood in line and didn’t get the new iPhone. My Dad would never purchase the new phone, but I am not him. I don’t want to live my life the way my Dad did. I don’t have any debt right now except my student loans, loans my Dad didn’t have becasuse he went to trade school. Because he went to Trade School he doesn’t have the high paying Software Engineer job that I have. My loans are at very low interest rate of 1.5% and I am on track to finish them off in 2010. And I don’t see anything wrong in buying the $200 phone that I like. I don’t see the point in saving all my monies in the bank and not derive any happiness from them. I certainly don’t get any pleasure from standing on a pedestral and making fun of people who can afford to buy a new phone every year and don’t mind waiting in line for that. I am sure the time I spen on the line is much lesser than what some folks spend on cutting coupons (I mean you Kyle!).
Yes, and when you lose your high paying job in the next downsizing, the line you will be waiting in is the welfare line and we will all get to pay for your inability to save money because you needed the latest and greatest toy. But I personally appreciate your post, it definitely represents the shortsightedness that is the cause of the financial problems in our country.
Some thoughts from a technology-loving guy who is not an Apple fanboy, still has an old “dumb” (read: not “smart”) phone [smile], hates spending money and yet totally stands in line sometimes.
1. My dad didn’t buy an iPhone4. But he did get my mom an iPad to replace her old laptop. He ordered it online so it was reserved for him when he went in to pick it up within that first week. She loves it. I can’t see my dad standing in line for technology. He gets it online first [smile].
2. Shiny Lust: I don’t know. My friends who have an iPhone4 still love it and use it constantly. Granted, some of the excitement has worn off–as with all things. The excitement/joy changes. That happens in all life-stages/events, including marriage. I still love my wife, but that original excitement has definitely gone away. But I’m not “off to the next thing.” Rather, I enjoy where I am with her and we continue to grow in our love. Similarly, with technology: Sure, the excitement dies down, but the usefulness and worth of these tools remains. Rampant consumerism is certainly not good. But getting excited about new things is not the same thing.
3. Microwave Society: The fact that people are hyped about new technology has more to say with our ability to get the word out and provide “launches” for new things than it does with our impatience. Today, we can tell the world about something new that is coming–be it a movie, technology or Christian speaker/book–so people can get ready. Much like the wedding announcements of Jesus’ day which He used in parables: These are big deals, at least as big as some ruler’s son’s wedding.
I’d say the fact that people are willing to wait around all day for the chance to buy something, watch something, hear something proves that we do have patience. Lots of patience. We may not like delayed gratification much, but we’re willing to put in hours so we can get to it quicker.
And it’s not a self-worth thing either. We may feel superior if we get one fast, but not because our value as humans rests on that. But rather, we were there! We experienced it! We got to be part of that initial rush. …much like Zacchaeus in Jesus’ time: He was willing to climb a tree to see Christ. There was something cool about even just seeing Christ. The fact that Jesus came by, ate food with him and changed his life was entirely incidental to his initial reason for being there.
4. The Jones’: Of the three people I personally know who got an iPhone4 right when they came out, none of them did it out of some comparison motivation. And while I’m sure they expected to get some happiness from their purchase, it was based on their previous experience with Apple technology that really drove them. They had been thrilled with their previous iPhone and were excited to get more benefit from the cool new features offered in the new phone. Did they need one? No. Did they get one to show how much cooler they are than, say, me? No. Did they purchase one to fill a hole in the their soul? No. They got the new phone because having a high powered computer with internet connection, HD video recording, powerful tools that enable them to do more all in their pocket sounded fantastic to them. They’ve used their old iPhones a ton and loved them. They love their new ones now.
A few other thoughts:
5. Should one stand in line? I have. For movies I wanted to see. Not because I’d be cooler than my friends (in fact, I did it with friends). Not because I had to see it immediately. Not because I simply had to spend my money. Not because I was part of a culture that loves to waste time.
No. Not at all.
Are there better ways I could spend my time? Probably. Of course, better is a very hard thing to measure. And how should we be spending our time? I think there’s enough evidence that God is not hounding us for our time that we can do silly things like wait six hours to go the first showing of a movie or purchase a new phone the day it comes out. God sends His superstars into the desert for a month (Christ), years (Elijah), many many years (Moses). So He’s certainly not pressed for time. And who knows, it could be that waiting it line opens up opportunities that we wouldn’t have staying home and reading our Bibles.
Just a few ideas for “the other side” [smile].
~Luke
Can I play Switzerland?
1) I work at the mall with an Apple Store. I came in to work that morning and was surprised to see a loooooong line of people, outside, in the heat, waiting for the phone. Mind you, even at 9am in the morning, it was already like 85 degrees with that lovely DC humidity thing going on. Crazy, I say crazy, especially when most of these people already had iPhones.
2) I know people who just love waiting in lines for releases. New Halo? Wii? Twilight? Avatar? It’s fun! For them, it’s more of a convention, a place where fellow minded enthusiasts gather together and geek out over something together. I do recall doing the midnight releases for (several) Harry Potter books… We would get there, talk to fans, look at the people in costumes, get all excited over the book (!!!), pay for it at midnight and maybe read a chapter of it before going to bed. I had a friend who didn’t understand, “Uh… You know that book will be like EVERYWHERE the next morning right?” Well yes, I know it’s not going to sell out, but it’s not about that. For some people waiting in line is is part of what makes the product so desirable. The experience is like an added bonus that comes attached.
Yes. I certainly am not pounding down any doors to give someone my money for a gadget, but I can see that for some people it’s the thrill and excitement of waiting as a group for something highly anticipated. For many people I would guess it’s less about the product and more about the “fun” of the event.
I SO AGREE WITH YOU!! IT IS TERRIBLE THE THINGS PEOPLE WILL GO THRU FOR UNNECESSARY THINGS. WHAT DID EVERYONE DO BEFORE CELL PHONES. I COME FROM A FAMILY OF SEVEN AND MY DAD WORKED HARD AND MY MOM TOOK CARE OF US. WE WERE ALL SO CLOSE IN AGE. SHE MADE DO WITH WHAT SHE HAD. BEING FROM THE SOUTH THAT WASN’T A WHOLE LOT. YOU JUST DID WITH WHAT YOU HAVE SHE ALWAYS SAID THE LORDM WILL PROVIDE AND HE DID.
THANKS LYNNAE FOR YOUR SITE!!
The only time I stand in line for a product is the day after Thanksgiving and that is only to get a good deal and save some money. I have in the past been in line for release of a product at midnight when I was much younger.
First – what’s up with comparing standing in line for an electronic device to people in the bible? Hmmm… electronic device that will probably break or be come outdated quickly vs the Son of God or Prophets who were going about spreading gospel…. Ah, yeah.
Personally – I have better ways to spend 4 hours. New devices always have bugs and they loose their shine.
I work on machines all day everyday – Apples included. They all break. And Apple stuff stops working if you don’t pay for updates. Well, guess what? I’m not buying another device that will stop working properly unless I pay to update it. Sorry but I paid good money for the Iphone I have & I resent having to pay for an update so apps will work on it. I paid for it so it should get updates.
I find that I do think less of someone who is willing to stand in line for 4 hours for a piece of junk. Because their priorities appear to be around things & that’s part of the problem with this country most (not all) people are in over their heads & still trying to qcquire more crap.
When I was a teenager I stood in line to watch the original Star Wars movies in the theatre but I was hanging out & spending time with friends. & I was a stupid teenager with no responsibility or priorities… or goals for that matter. And the movies wasn’t hundreds of dollars & there were only so many seats (limited quantity) – so to get a seat I sat in line.
There’s going to be thousands if not millions of these devices… that’s not worth waiting in line for.
Oh & I don’t clip coupons either. I hardly ever buy anything that takes coupons – buy in bulk, cook from scratch, make out our cleaners,etc. Oh & I fix everything that takes electricity except the furnace.
Great comments everyone!
Luke, I would make the argument that real patience is the ability to wait until there is no line to stand in at all. A bonus from doing this: “Often the immediate impulse to buy something will wear off.”
For me, time is a commodity. I couldn’t imagine standing in line on a Saturday for a phone and losing that time with my wife and kids. Especially if I knew I could wait a few days and there would be no line.
And I am not saying that I never have stood in a long line for something. I remember standing in a long line for concert tickets on more than one occassion. But it was because I was trying to get great seats to my favorite band and there were only a limited quantity available.
Also, I understand the “experience” is part of the thrill. I guess I just have a hard time relating. Or maybe I am just getting old! But I definetely have a hard time relating the experience of climbing a tree to see Jesus and standing in line to get your hands on an iPhone. That is an uncomfortable stretch for me.
This has got to be one of my favorite frugal posts of all time! I’m a non-conformist—I want to be the *last* person to get the newest thing, not the first. And be the time I get it, it will be old news to everybody else!
Hi Lynnae,
I can tell you that my Dad would definitely not queue up for a phone! In fact, he doesn’t even want a mobile phone…. maybe so that Mum can’t track him down!
We have a friend who must buy the latest DVD or XBox game on the day it is released… so he has bragging rights over everyone else. I don’t get it either! Would much rather wait until the price comes down, if it’s something I really want.
BTW — Have been a long time reader (here in Australia) and I loved your podcasts too!
Sam, my point in pointing to the Bible is that people have been doing this kind of thing for a long time. Granted, some things are more worth standing in line for. But, again, the example I gave was merely for the thrill/opportunity just to see a celebrity (Jesus). He wasn’t there for healing, a profession of faith, or even to try to get His attention.
Kyle, I don’t know. I guess you’re right. …but how long does it have to be to be “real” patience? I think this is much more a matter of the heart than any kind of time-frame. You could be just as impatient and still wait 6 months to buy one.
For what it’s worth… [smile]
~Luke
To wait or go through trouble to see something of limited time/quantity or something impermanent like a celebrity is different then a mass produced device that’s going to be available for public sale until it’s technology level is outdated. The only good thing about the new Iphone is that the previous model will probably go down to a more reasonable price now.
That said, given how feature rich the device is, I could see the point to like Iphone parties where people share apps, learn about new features or tweaks from others & enjoy the features of the device with other users.
I have never stood in a long crazy line for anything and never will. What is the point exactly? Will your life be any different the day after, or the day after that because you were one of the first to have a shiny new ‘toy’. Those of you that can’t wait and pay premium prices for ‘new toys’ are nothing more than ‘sheep’ and I hate to be the one to tell you but the manufacturer’s are laughing all the way to the bank with your hard earned monies. So what if you ‘have’ it to spend and don’t want to live a life of sacrifice because you don’t have everything you want right now. Actually I should be thanking you because ‘YOU’ are the ones that are driving up the stock prices of the stock that ‘I’ own with my investments because ‘I’ am saving for the future. Thanks! Because of you I retired at 36 years old to live a life that I wanted to start living. All that ‘sacrificing and suffering’ that you think that I was doing…well I will be thinking of you come Monday morning when you have to go to the office, and I don’t.
So go ahead, enjoy your iphones, your x-boxes & wii’s, your shiny new cars and your designer duds….as for me, I will enjoy my days wondering if I should sleep in today, or maybe talk a long walk in the park, or perhaps just sit under a shade tree and read a nice long book.