You stumble through your front door following an after work drinks-happy hour-karaoke bar-beer and burritos-last-call sort of night. Sweatpants come on, snacks come out, and – what? Did you just buy a five-speed electric heel scrub online? You’re not alone.
Let’s face it: drunk shopping has been around as long as booze. So it was inevitable that online shopping would be added to this consumer-based cocktail. And with the Times covering the phenomenon last month, it’s time to cut to the chase and call drunk online shopping a “thing”, already.
Of all the trends predicted for 2012, this one seems like it should be the most embarrassing for American consumers. But my heart actually warms to the thought of tipsy people heading home and taking part in what is – most of the time – a feel-good, mood-boosting activity. So long as it’s not fueling an actual shopping addiction, masking an alcohol addiction, or ruining bank accounts, sitting safely in your home, covering one eye with your hand and bagging a dress on Gilt is pretty harmless. Compared to what else you could be doing under the influence, it’s downright conservative.
Of course, it’s important to be aware of how often we indulge in our post-bar shopping sprees. Online retailers are already cued in and ready to capitalize on these buzzed buying habits; unleashing emails and launching sales during after-hours when people are most likely to be home from happy hour. Keep tabs on your spending, and look out for the too-good-to-be-true deals.
That, and a good return policy.
image [via]
