Pleasure derived from retail therapy is directly proportionate to the cost of the purchase

So Marc popped the question of "Why does retail therapy feel so good?"

I said it's because we like new things. It's an expression (and extension) of yourself when you acquire products that reflect you/your lifestyle. Buying new things also allow you to revamp your image, etc. It's like building new stuff on top of the old. Your tastes are ever evolving, but your style should be rather constant.

Marc thinks it's something of a status symbol. To show others that you've "made it." ie. If you were driving around in a... Mercedes S-Class. It's like saying.. "mm hmm.. I'm enjoying life...got my golf bag in the trunk... a nice quiet cabin... and.. it's great." Makes sense also. Or buying a Burberry scarf. I mean, you could really get cheaper scarves, but.... hey. It's Burberry.

He just bought an iPod shuffle online, (and lied to me that it was for his girlfriend. Fucker.) and thought it would satiate his craving to 'help the economy', but it apparently hasn't. I hypothesized it was because he didn't actually go to the store, feel the physical product, pay for it (either with cash or physically signing a receipt), stick it in a bag and bring it home. Then unwrap the new purchase with glee. All it took were a few clicks and the iPod was on its way home. It's like checking your email! What's so special about that. You don't get the "ahhhhhhhhhh.... I can't wait to get home so I can play w/this damn thing!" feeling.

Therefore, the pleasure derived from retail therapy is directly proportionate to the cost of the purchase (made in person).