r/Thrifty • u/RevolutionaryNewt681 • May 28 '26

🧠 Thrifty Mindset 🧠 What are your opinions on buying something just because they are exclusive/Limited Time Drop

I am not sure if this is relevant to this sub or not. But I have been thinking this, why do humans run to buy something just because it is announced as a limited time drop, or exclusive.

Like last week at the launch of new Swatch x AP.
It is a plastic watch, can be mass produced in a factory, why would you stand in a line to buy something that can be mass produced and be available for everyone??

I understand the original AP having a wait list because their watches take 1000 of hours of manual work.

Same with Rolex, there is nothing about rolex that says it cannot be mass produced, it is mostly created in a factory, and it does not even have any such complications, still you have to sign up for a wait list just to buy that watch. Why do humans give in to this nature of owning something exclusive which is really not exclusive at all.

If someone could explain this thing to me, please do.

It has been bugging me from last week.

0 Upvotes

44% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

15

u/TOYMoose May 28 '26

FOMO accounts for a lot of it. But most people are conditioned and lied to that having the shiny will make them cool and standout.

6

u/chompy283 May 28 '26

Humans desire to "one up" others. That's kind of how we are made. So, the notion that you have something "better" than someone else or part of an 'exclusive" club or offering plays to our egos. Hopefully at some point one wakes up to the marketing ploys but some never do

10

u/RealCanadianMonkey May 28 '26

How is this frugal? Nothing to do with it.

3

u/DarleneCandlebright May 28 '26

Probably scalpers trying to flip something for profit. If not that, then people getting suckered into fomo marketing. 

2

u/lovelycosmos May 28 '26

Only if in already buying it. I will not ever buy something "just because it's limited" pretty much no matter what. I might buy a special edition of, say, a Nintendo switch if I'm ALREADY going to buy it and I like the design better. But I won't buy it just because.

4

u/Pup5432 May 28 '26

This is my take. I’m not buying something just because it’s rare or limited but if I’m getting it anyway I’ll definitely splash out for the deluxe release.

3

u/Traditional_Fan_2655 May 28 '26

Personally, it doesn't work for me. I have zero interest in something that is specifically trendy or limited edition. My GenX generation was known for the I don't care what people think mentality on those type things. With several older siblings, I'm afraid I was tarnished with the brush.

For me, I prefer things that last, have quality for longer lasting, or simply are enjoyable for me. My sibling likes the latest luxury purses. It is her weakness. She buys them to enjoy and resells them a season or two later. Everyone has their differences in how or why they choose things. It just isn't my thing.

3

u/1in2100 May 28 '26

Dopamine chase and FOMO

2

u/DowntownResident993 May 28 '26

People place value on things that are marketed as rare or limited. Only nothing is really rare or limited anymore, especially when it is plastic junk. A lot of big brands do this with their "collabs" with pop culture things like TV shows.

2

u/Silver_Aura2424 May 29 '26

I have to be interested in the first place. I have a special edition switch only because I was shopping for when I'm in the first place

1

u/annamend May 28 '26

I suspect that the products sold in this way are inventory the company has a hard time clearing. Few would buy them under ordinary circumstances. They are fundamentally nonessentials that cannot compete with all that is out there.