Fan-damonium…
Sep 3rd, 2007 by Tony
First, a lesson in human behavior.
Let’s say you are at Store A, buying yourself a nice new blender. It costs $60, but will be well worth the price. As you near the front and prepare to check out, a friendly patron tells you that Store B, just two blocks away, has the exact same blender for $30 less. Ask yourself, do you travel the two blocks to save 50%?
Now, imagine a week later you are back at Store A, this time buying a desktop computer for $900. Your neighborhood bargain shopper is in line with you, and again informs you that you can get a better deal at Store B, as the same computer is just $870.
You are all smart people, and you probably already see my point. Studies show that 80% of those surveyed in the first case say yes, they would travel the two blocks to save $30. However, almost 70% of respondents said that they would NOT travel the two blocks to save $30 on the computer.
It’s the same $30!
I find this completely fascinating. Especially since I absolutely would have answered along with the majority in both cases, as I’m sure most of you did as well.
I could ramble on and on with cool things like this - and I’ve only been in school for two weeks (three if you count orientation). Needless to say I am having a blast so far. I don’t remember enjoying class like this in my undergrad. I’m not sure if it is the material or the fact that I actually care about doing well (umm, not that I didn’t care about engineering – err, look a butterfly!)
While classes will be challenging, they are nothing compared to the challenge it will be adjusting to a studying next to a different kind of football fan.
As Jen mentioned, we attempted our first TCU tailgate on Saturday. They opened the season against Baylor, to my knowledge their biggest rival. I received an email stating where everyone would be, and that they’d be set up by 8am. Well, if this were a Sooner game I would have been there by 8:05 and would have been there all day until kickoff (in this case 5pm local time.)
(quick aside – nothing currently disturbs me as much as this new Heineken commercial. It has just come on the TV and completely paralyzed my ability to continue writing… Some sort of female robot with a keg in her belly. Words fail me.)
Well, being as I don’t have any particular desire to be a rabid TCU football fan, I figure the party would be rockin’ by 10am, we could make a quick appearance, accept multiple comments on the beautifulness of our baby, have a beer and a few Frog Dogs and be on our way.
When we got near campus, traffic resembled nothing of a rivalry weekend. Parking was available by the bushel, and I could hear crickets chirping due to the lack of fandom. We made our way around to Lot 2, where we were supposed to be. Of course, Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum guarding the gate wouldn’t let us in because it was the donor parking lot. What student hosts a tailgate in an area students can’t get into?
After reluctantly using my Jedi mind powers to get a weak-minded guard to let us in, we drove around looking for the party. We finally stumbled across 6 dudes (presumably the place we belong as they were the only 6 people within the zip code) standing around their truck with a TCU flag waving. Yup, this was it. This is what TCU comes with against their biggest rival on opening day?
So, being the old married couple that we are, with baby in tow we headed to Panera Bread and Baby Gap instead. We stopped by Albertson’s on the way home and picked up the makings for our own tailgate. Before the Sooner game, we grilled some dogs and Jen mixed up some nice pasta salad to go with our chips, dip and cut-up fruit. Ellie sported her OU cheerleader outfit and the Sooners dominated North Texas.
I guess Sooner Fans have a different vision of rivalry tailgating than Frog Fans. Or maybe they were all two blocks away saving $30 on a blender.
Yup, human behaviour is a funny thing! Personally I’d go and save the $30 on both things after all $30 is $30 and when you’re trying to cope with a mortgage like we are, every single cent counts!!
Yep….I would have gone down the street to save the $30….so I could spend my savings on stamps! LOL! I always enjoy reading your posts. Keep ‘em coming!
You got the point there. Though, I have to say, proportionately, a saving of 50% sounds much more attractive than 3% of saving. Either way, though, a saving of $30 is money you can spend elsewhere. Now, my question is, why are you keep going back to Store A when it has twice shown that they are overcharging you?
Hey Tony, if you want someone to debate football with (and did go to tcu for a while), talk to my husband, Eric. he would LOVE to talk sports with you–it would be giving me a little gift of more time to stamp– (you can also read his write ups about a few high school games in the FWST and the Dallas MN). However, be warned–he’s a Longhorns fan!! Here’s his email…eliles67@sbcglobal.net
As far as the bargain goes, I would have saved the $30 in both places, agreeing with Michelle R–more money to spend on stamps or the kids!!! Sorry the tailgate party “A” turned out to be a bust–you got a much better deal at tailgate party “B”!!! Say hi to Ellie for me!
WOW Tony that $30 money saving thing was really fascinating! I too would have done like most.
I think cause in the first “deal” is like half off so its viewed differently. Its like WOW I got so much off. When you are already spending 900 on a computer whats a $30 savings?
I totally get its the same amount, and too am in awe at our mentality.
I guess it would depend too if I had 3 kids in tow! I may not pack up and leave for any amount of money once I got what I came for. Ever shop with 3 kids 7-3-4?? NOT FUN!!!!!!
Glad you are enjoying school!
I love your lesson on human behavior. I have made 2 human behavior observations. I am divorced. When I tell that to people they always say the same thing and they always have the same reaction to my response. The conversations goes: I’m divorced. They then say “any kids”, I say no, they say “that’s good.” I kid you not. Every single time. The 2nd observation involves men. When I am done kayaking I have to drag my kayak to the truck. Then I have to put it on the back of my truck. Very often a man will see me doing this and he will come over to help me. He says “let me help you with that.” I say thanks. The next thing he always says is, “wow, it’s heavier than I thought.” Which every time makes me wonder the same thing: why did he offer to help if he didn’t think it was heavy? People are funny.
Just wanted to say that this was a really well written article. Sounds like it could easily be a newspaper/mag column.
Very nice. Thanks for sharing.
Fun thoughts. I guess whether or not I would have gone to the 2nd store would have depended on how much of a hassle it would have been. If store B was in the midst of a huge sale and was wall-to-wall people, I would have spent the $30. I hate shopping! And even worse, I hate crowds!
P.S. Ellie is adorable! But then, I guess you already know that!
Loved your article today. I was really surprised at my own response…which was pretty much the same as the majority. I used to work in a grocery store and they would put canned goods on the end of the row priced 4/1.00. People would buy them buy the case. These same cans regularly sold for 25 cents each and just sat on the shelf. People are funny. By the way that was back in the olden days when you could get a can of something for 25 cents. Have a great day!
Go Horned Frogs!!!
Great article. I need to get my hubby to write on my blog too!
Class o of ‘97!
Fascinating!!! People are just fascinating. I love reading your contributions to this blog. Hey, I saw a little boy, not as cute as your little one, on the Today show today. His name was Boomer Sooner. Is this a great tribute to some football hero, or just a cruel joke? Things that make you go “hmm.” Thanks for sharing your “skilz!”
University of Oklahoma Football 2005 Game Statistics
Oklahoma Sooners Vs. TCU Horn Frogs
Norman, Oklahoma - Gaylord Family-Memorial Stadium
Sept. 3, 2005
OU, 10 - TCU, 17 Final
GO FROGS!!!!!
#98 TCU FOOTBALL 1991-1994
It’s all good and fun!