T Hoffarth / Flickr
Have you ever caved into buying an item at a higher price because you didn’t want to be perceived as cheap? Last weekend, I did just that at the Santa Monica Pier, a major tourist attraction in California.
My family and I headed to Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to grab drinks. At the front of the line I was faced with a major decision.
“Hi. I’m getting three regular sized drinks – a latte, a Mocha Ice Blended with whip, and hmm…where is it?” I asked.
“What drink?” responded the barista, looking at the menu.
“Oh there it is! My usual Black Forrest, please. Wow, it’s $5.75. Did your prices go up?”
“No, we’re at the pier. Your total is $18.03.”
I grinned nervously and turned to my dad, who I could tell disapproved of me forking over almost $20 for coffee.
“That’s not what we usually pay,” he whispered.
“We’re at the pier,” I heard myself respond as I handed over my debit card.
I didn’t notice the prices till I was ordering, and felt uneasy about canceling my order and walking out. What was I supposed to say? I was being charged 50% more just because we were in a tourist area. Should I have asked for a discount?
I still can’t left it go. At the time, I felt as if everyone was watching me because I was holding up the line. I didn’t want them to think I was a big cheap-o or worse, that I couldn’t afford the drinks! I also didn’t want to mortify my teenage sister like Julia embarrassed her friends when she haggled for cupcakes. So I paid up. Was I wrong to cave in?
I know there are a couple of things I could have done differently. I could have used my Swagbucks account to get a gift card to Starbucks and skipped the overpriced temptation at the pier. Alas, I failed to plan ahead.
What would you have done: haggled, walked out, or paid up?
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price. 
Yazmin, this is a great column and dilemma that we all have faced. Just substitute 2 kids and their toys at check -out!
@Junie Thanks! I’ve been in line behind parents and their kids will go wild if they don’t buy the toys. I guess I’m lucky because if I had embarrassed my sister she wouldn’t have thrown a tantrum she just wouldn’t have spoken to me – ha!
Yazmin, sometimes it’s nice to splurge,
but only when it makes you feel good, not anxious or upset. If you didn’t feel good about spending that much money, you could have said “hey, that’s a bit pricey for me, but thanks anyway” and left with a smile. No need to feel embarrassed – it’s YOUR money.
As for haggling, you’re unlikely to get a positive reaction from a chain store. The employees are not usually given the power to do so.
I think we all need to understand that when we go to any type of amusement venue, we’re going to face price sticker shock! Both Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Starbucks, are always outrageously priced anyway. When I know I’m going to want something to drink while I’m out, I plan to take a bottled drink (usually water), and skip the high prices. Having said all that, I totally understand not wanting to embarrass your family. It takes time and life experience to realize that there are worse things than a bit of embarrassment. I’ve learned to just smile, then walk away. Happens most of the time when I’m faced with the price of popcorn at the movies!
@ElieD We tend to go to the pier all the time because we like to walk around the beach. We don’t go on rides or buy food there. I just saw the CBTL and headed in – didn’t think much of it. My dad pointed out that they were not wearing CBTL uniforms, but Pacific Park uniforms when we left. I’ve been to CBTL’s in Beverly Hills and the prices are not as inflated.
I live here in LA too and know well about sticker price shock at tourist ‘traps’. That’s where the ‘trap’ got its name, you can’t go anywhere else. In times like this, just let it go, and enjoy your company and be thankful these prices only happen in these areas that you visit rarely! When these prices become the norm…then we’ll all be on the streets like the 99% ers…
@Catherine I spend a lot of time in the west side, but have never had a similar experience. It may be that I’m familiar with this coffee chain’s prices and have never noticed I’m being overcharged in other instances.
I am now at an age (70) where I am willing to walk out if/when I don’t like the situation I am in. The CBTL situation was definitely walk out worthy.
Greedy corporations will continue to exploit customers until they start losing money. All the more reason to walk away, Rene.
BTW, CBTL makes employees pay for their own drinks and food. No comps and only a negligible employee discount. At the end of the day, they do not give the left over food/pastries to their employees to take home. They throw everything into a public dumpster. Some of their employees can be seen dumpster diving for what they were forced to throw away just minutes before.
This ain’t a nice company, regardless of whether you are an employee or a customer.
@mimi I don’t know much about CBTL’s policies to comment. But I do know that my age didn’t have an impact on my decision as I’ve walked out of other places before. This time was just different.
My family knows I’m cheap ‘er frugal and I would have kindly said it’s beyond my budget and walked out gracefully . I’m too old to worry if strangers think I’m cheap and my family knows our household budget is tight. We make awesome coffee at home and I can’t stand the unbelievable expense of beverages at shops. Plus it seems the individuals I know that splurge on coffee or other “goodies” regularly are also complaining about their debts. But I do agree it’s nice to splurge on something once in a while and plan that splurge in your household budget.
@Pauline My family and friends know I’m frugal. Most don’t care if I ask for a discount – like I said my father was the one that pointed out it was more than what we have paid before – he was ready to walk out. My teenage sister is another story so my decision was in part based on not making her feel uncomfortable. Although after we walked out we had this whole talk about money.
Yazmin, if you’re comfortable with your frugality, saving money and being a smart consumer, be proud of the role modeling you’re showing your teenage sister!
I think I wouldve done the same, but I do agree that these things should be expected when going on vacation. Heck even things like McDonalds are overpriced at specific areas of attractions such as in DC at teh mall, there is no dollar menu and everything is higher priced! Or like tonite Im typing on a megabus ride to boston, we stopped at a BK on the side of the highway, and my sandwich (not meal) cost $7, same with airports, things just cost more in certain areas, just be more aware next time.
I think if you’re always making frugal choices otherwise, it was fine to let this one go…you “earned” it by watching your money in many other instances. Besides, it opened up a money discussion with your sister, and that’s probably the best “deal” you made all day. Consider it tuition for helping your sister know how to make smart choices, and cut yourself some compassionate slack 🙂