Dearest readers,
I don’t trust stylists, fashion insiders, mag editors or PR peeps – I trust YOU, the consumers, which is why I’m asking for your opinions.
If you’re interested in participating in the research component of my current project, please copy/paste the below questions into an email, fill in your answers, and send it off to cheapjap@gmail.com. Kindly include your first name, age, occupation and location (i.e. city/state) in addition to your survey responses.
Please avoid answering the survey in the comments section of the blog.
The survey Q’s are general and as such, open to interpretation. Write the first thing that comes to mind, and be as verbose as you please. Answers need not be NYC-based.
I intend on quoting the most entertaining of the bunch, so where humor’s concerned, go for the jugular. Be honest and unmerciful a la Lester Bangs.
Oy, that sounds a lot loftier than I intended. I’m taking a Mulligan:
Just have fun. 
How often do you shop?
On average, how much money do you spend on material goodies (a la clothes, shoes, accessories) each month? I’m talking purely selfish purchases – stuff you buy just for you.
Scenario: You’re visiting a new store. What determines whether you browse and bolt, or stay and shop?
What’s cheap to you?
What’s reasonably priced?
What’s a splurge?
What’s a rip off?
What’s the best store, and why?
What’s the worst store, and why?
Spanks in advance.
Hey CJ, love the site, but haven’t read in a while.
I’m a Cheap Asian, so I totally get your whole shopping ethic. I hope my input is useful:
What’s cheap to you?
Thrift store or sale (or discount store) prices: 15 for a top, 20 for dress/skirt, 30-40 for a jacket/coat
What’s reasonably priced?
For new stuff: 25-30 for a top, 30-40 for dress, skirt, 30-60 for a good jacket coat, 50 for good shoes
What’s a splurge?
A 100 coat or pair of boots (maybe a little more for the boots, if they’re great). Even these I’d prefer to get on ebay. 100 for an amazing dress that makes you want to have sex with yourself.
What’s a rip off?
labels. Anything above those price points that aren’t incredibly, incredibly well made and will last a long long time.
What’s the best store, and why?
Thrift stores, but for new stuff, I like Uniqlo, Target, some H&M. I also like little boutiques that show case local designers (and will even buy the stuff that is on sale/heavily discounted)
What’s the worst store, and why?
February 9th, 2010 - 6:22 PMAnthropologie, Ann Taylor (boring and pricey), anything all fancy and national branded in Soho.
I hate that there are so many stores that sell you poorly made crap, made of funny fabrics, at high prices. Ick.
I just found your blog, and I wish I had discovered it before! I hope it is not too late to leave a reply, especially since I support your project, whatever it it
Cheap: Cheap is my price point! See “reasonable.”
February 15th, 2010 - 4:34 PMReasonable: $10 or less for a knit top; $20 or less for pants, skirt, sweater, or blouse; $50 or less for a dress . . . you get the picture.
Rip-off: I always assume that if it’s not on sale it’s overpriced.
Best store: There are three kinds of best stores. 1 local boutiques where you can find things that you will never see anywhere else. Sometimes it’s even worth paying more for that! 2 stores that really go all out on their sales–and also accept returns on their sale items. Talbots, for instance, marks things down very, very far (even into my “reasonable” range, and then accepts returns on them); anthropologie doesn’t mark their things down far enough, but at least they accept returns on sale items; etc. 3 Then there are the discount stores (TJMaxx, Nordstrom Rack, etc.) where things are marked down all the time, and you can still make returns if you don’t just love it. Hurray!
Worst store: I am very sorry to have to say JCrew. You can’t return sale items, and both quality and sizing are hit and miss. Shame on them.