Monday, July 2, 2012

Burberry Dreams...ahhh.

Beginning two years ago I fell in love with this gorgeous Burberry tote and wallet.  Every single time we went to the Cherry Creek Mall, there I'd be in Burberry.  Just asking to hold it on my arm and flip through the wallet.  Whenever I was at the Park Meadows mall, I'd take a stroll into Nordstrom and go straight to the designer handbags.  There she sat, where I'd once again hang her from my arm, then flip through the wallet.

In 2010, when I graduated with my doctorate degree, I was quite intent on making the purchase.  I remember heading into Burberry with my husband (Kent), checkbook in tow.  The saleslady took down my bag and I held it on my arm for about ten minutes.  But when she rang up the price, and I saw the total being well over $1200 with tax, I just couldn't do it.  Purchase it that is.  So I handed her back and kept the monies in my savings account.

And then last Monday, as my daughter and I strolled through Nordstrom, something almost miraculous happened (stop laughing, Kent, it WAS miraculous).  I did my usual ritual--holding her on the crook of my arm.  This time I tried to take a step and the security chain tugged her back.  "Can't go far with that bag!" laughed the saleslady.  "Oh, I know that..." I laughed back, placing her back upon the shelf.

I walked over to the matching wallet, who wasn't chained down, picked her up, just wishing to make her mine.  My daughter, so used to the Burberry ritual, stood and waited for me to finish.  Eventually I did, and we started making our way to another part of the store.  Before exiting the Designer Handbag section, another saleslady stopped me.  "You know...that tote that you seemed so fond of is actually going on sale next Friday."

"What?!  I thought Burberry never went on sale!" my voice was filled with astonishment.  After all, I'd been eyeing this bag for over two years and never had I seen a sale sign.  Never.

"Well, it's not the typical sale.  Our manager wants to try to get some customers excited.  The only bag going on sale is the one your hand was on."

"How much?"

"40% off."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously.  I can presell it to you if you'd like.  We open at 10:00 and I guarantee it'll be gone by 10:05."

My mind started swirling with mathematical calculations.  For the last few months I'd been saving my pocket money and had over $500 to go toward my Burberry Dreams.  I'd been planning on saving through December or as long as it took to make my Burberry Dreams come true.  I was thrilled!  I was elated!  I'd barely have to dip into our savings account.  Yay!

"Okay, sign me up!  I'll be here first thing on Friday morning!"  The woman filled out the necessary forms, making sure to jot down both the bag and the wallet.  The moment she finished I was on cloud nine.  Not only were my Burberry Dreams about to come true, but I'd be SAVING money too.  Yes!

The moment we finished the transaction I had to call my husband.  Two weeks earlier we had the Burberry Dream talk.  "How many Coach bags do you think you buy every year?" he began.  

"I don't know 2-3?"

"2-3?"

"Yes..."  Not all of them count...

"Okay, if you didn't buy any Coach bags for say three years you'd have enough for the Burberry, right?"

"So you're saying if I promise not to buy any Coach bags for three years, we'll head down to Burberry and buy my bag and wallet?"

"Sure."

I had to think about this deal before signing on.  After all, three years is a LONG time.  We didn't make the deal.

And now I had the Burberry without having to make such a crappy deal!  Yes!  My husband was happy for me and my purchase.  I could see him just shaking his head at his desk, smiling at my glee.  But believe me, there are many purchases he makes that make no sense to me.  Like his $1000 bike and the other $1300 he's spent on the "accessories"--seriously.  To make his ass hurt, that's what he spent?  But whatever makes him happy...

Friday couldn't come soon enough.  I woke up early, went to the gym, got ready to hit the mall and sat in the parking lot for a good 30 minutes before the doors opened.  It was a Friday morning and there was a line outside of Nordstrom.  I don't know if this is normal, but I was happy I was a presale.  The bag was mine.

I was greeted by a transvestite.  She was kind, but so homely.  One would think that if you want to be a woman, you'd at least shave the beard.  But whatever.  I liked her immediately.  We chatted about her morning and the employee that fell in the parking lot earlier.  The ambulance had to pick her up, which was making my saleslady's job a nightmare.  "Take your time ringing me up," I told her.  "I've been waiting two years for my Burberry Dream to come true, a few more minutes isn't going to matter."

She went in the back room to retrieve my new love.  The anticipation was killing me!  "Oh, no," she said as she started manning the cash register.  Panic arose in my eyes and I waited for her to continue.  "I know you were told the wallet is on sale too, but it's not.  Only the bag."

"Really?" I asked trying to figure out if I still wanted the wallet.  It's not a couple hundred bucks we're talking about here, but rather $375.  No, I wouldn't be able to get the wallet without the discount.  It just wouldn't be mine.

"Well, I'm going to give the discounted price to you, honey.  You've been waiting all week and lord knows Jenny wrote it down for you on your slip.  I'm going to honor that for you, sweetheart."

"Really?!  Thank you so much!"  See it was meant to be.

The total came up on the screen and I took out my wad of cash.  "I'm paying for it in cash," I said.  "I've been saving for awhile."

"Well, I guess you have, honey.  That is how everyone should make their purchases.  Save up and then buy it.  I can't tell you how many people try buying their Burberry on their credit card and the thing gets declined.  Good for you, sweetie!"  Seriously, I was loving this girl.

Finally the bag was wrapped, as was the wallet.  I literally skipped out of the store.  And that, my friends, is how my Burberry Dreams came true.





6 comments:

  1. You are a nut! A fun nut! I love this story. It reminds me of me... when I was first married. I found a suit I coveted. I made repeat trips to the store to eye my suit on the hangar. At this point I can't recall the designer, but it was very expensive. I just couldn't buy it - it was far too expensive for our entry-level job salaries. One day I went by 'my' suit, and it was on sale - yup, that baby was mine! I wore it for years. I loved the way it looked. I loved the way it felt. May you enjoy your Burberry bag and wallet - for years and years. I know you will!

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  2. When I told you 1300, I meant TOTAL. So...1000 for the bike and then add $300, not 1300. And I have had it for 5 years. Additionally, my love, I do manage to stay a bit more fit by having the bike... as well as allowing me to decompress after work...

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  3. How wonderful for you! An inspiration to all,a great goal to work towards. Enjoy your new purse and wallet.

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  4. This is great! Since you've managed to give me my FOUR Coach purses and the One Coach wallet for the last four occasions, I guess - you being the leader of our family pack - will give me a Burberry something (not the bill) for the next special occasion!!! I can hardly wait, my darling daughter.

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  5. I loved the article!! I have to tell you, Ive been a medic for 23 years. I was on the cover of time magazine literally holding the brains of Carolyn McCarthy's son in my hands. He was originally black tagged on the train, but when I saw him, I saw him take a breath, so I did all I could to save him. And did. His mother became a big congresswoman in NY. I honestly, in my entire career, never expected a thank you, except from her. I never heard from her at all. Yet she thanked the cops and firemen personally. I never did my job for publicity or for thanks. Only did it because I loved helping others. I lost 3 of the 43 EMS providers at the trade center. They were good men, good medics, and good family men. I did my time on the pile, and have never felt more wanted, or thanked then the days following the attack. But we Americans forget quickly what its like to stick together and be one nation, undivided. Thank you for your article. And thank your husband for being a medic. I appreciate it...
    www.woundedrescuers.com This was and is my thank you to EMS..
    Peace and God Bless

    John Baerlein
    "Johnny B"

    ReplyDelete
  6. I loved the article!! I have to tell you, Ive been a medic for 23 years. I was on the cover of time magazine literally holding the brains of Carolyn McCarthy's son in my hands. He was originally black tagged on the train, but when I saw him, I saw him take a breath, so I did all I could to save him. And did. His mother became a big congresswoman in NY. I honestly, in my entire career, never expected a thank you, except from her. I never heard from her at all. Yet she thanked the cops and firemen personally. I never did my job for publicity or for thanks. Only did it because I loved helping others. I lost 3 of the 43 EMS providers at the trade center. They were good men, good medics, and good family men. I did my time on the pile, and have never felt more wanted, or thanked then the days following the attack. But we Americans forget quickly what its like to stick together and be one nation, undivided. Thank you for your article. And thank your husband for being a medic. I appreciate it...
    www.woundedrescuers.com This was and is my thank you to EMS..
    Peace and God Bless

    John Baerlein
    "Johnny B"

    ReplyDelete