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Do you spend more than you planned when you're at the counter?

Yes

[ 11 ]

[ 30.6% ]

[ 12 ]

[ 33.3% ]

Sometimes

[ 13 ]

[ 36.1% ]

Total valid votes

[ 36 ]

Discarded votes

[ 1 ]

justxploring

Wandering Aimlessly
United States
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November 5, 2005
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Jan 31, 2007, 7:35 pm

Another thread that mentioned a player who used a mail-in subscription got me wondering about how this affects spending habits. Although they get more money all at once, I am assuming the lottery would prefer if people bought their tickets at a retail store where they might add a scratch-off or other game to their usual picks.
Today I stopped to get my 4 Wed night Lotto tickets, something I've done for many years. I pulled a $5 bill from my wallet and said "Oh, just add a Fantasy 5 QP too." I wonder how many people plan to spend $2 and spend $4 or $10 and spend $15. With millions of people buying lottery tickets, I'm sure a lot of money is generated by spontaneous urges (or whims...or voices that say "buy another ticket!) at the counter.
Coin Toss

Zeta Reticuli Star System
United States
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January 17, 2006
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Jan 31, 2007, 8:27 pm

I voted sometimes.
At first I didn't think you meant just lotto, thought you were perhaps talkng about tabloids and such, like the Weekly World News!
I'm the numbers game player and my wife plays scratchers, I usually know what I'm going to get but she always looks to see if there are any new games.
But I will go beyond what I inteneded if the clerk hears me wrong, like if I said Little Lotto and they say, "Lotto?", I take it as an omen to play that game, too.

Those who run the lotteries love it when players look for consistency in something that's designed not to have any. So many systems, so many theories, so few jackpot winners.

There is one and only one 'proven' system, and that is to book the action. No matter the game, let the players pick their own losers.
justxploring

Wandering Aimlessly
United States
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Feb 1, 2007, 4:55 am

Coin Toss, that's funny. I guess a lot of people do pick up a few items at the checkout counter. I stare at the candy, but I usually pass unless I have a strong urge for dark chocolate. (Hey, it's medicinal now!) I never buy the tabloids, but I do giggle at the headlines while I'm waiting in line.
Nope, I was just talking about Lottery tickets. I won a "Free Ticket" tonight by getting 2 numbers on my Fantasy 5, so that impulse buy didn't cost me anything after all. I got $3.50 for Lotto (3 out of 6) so I'm only down 50 cents for the evening. Lots of low numbers tonight. It rolled to $25M.
LOTTOMIKE

Tennessee
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Feb 1, 2007, 5:13 am

i noticed something and maybe others who started playing online have done it too.before i started playing online and was still buying my tickets at the store i would buy pick 4 tickets then pick 3 and maybe some pick 5.as soon as i started playing pick 4 online i stopped buying all those extra tickets for pick 3 and pick 5 because i stopped playing at the store so there was not as much impulse.
justxploring

Wandering Aimlessly
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Feb 1, 2007, 7:39 pm

Quote: Originally posted by LOTTOMIKE on Feb 1, 2007
i noticed something and maybe others who started playing online have done it too.before i started playing online and was still buying my tickets at the store i would buy pick 4 tickets then pick 3 and maybe some pick 5.as soon as i started playing pick 4 online i stopped buying all those extra tickets for pick 3 and pick 5 because i stopped playing at the store so there was not as much impulse.

That's a good answer and exactly what I was asking when I posted the poll. I'm the opposite. I tend to spend more online. I don't gamble online, but I have puchased products in the middle of the night. It just takes a "click." In the supermarket I'll pick up a candy bar and stare at it and then put it back. There should be some kind of 24 hour internet law that covers buyer's remorse. LOL
LOTTOMIKE

Tennessee
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Feb 1, 2007, 8:09 pm

i just got into the habit of going on amazon and buying used cd's and books.i know what you mean.i got to quit clicking on there so much.its like wal-mart but its online and so easy and tempting and they always have great bargains..
justxploring

Wandering Aimlessly
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Feb 1, 2007, 8:23 pm

Quote: Originally posted by LOTTOMIKE on Feb 1, 2007
i just got into the habit of going on amazon and buying used cd's and books.i know what you mean.i got to quit clicking on there so much.its like wal-mart but its online and so easy and tempting and they always have great bargains..

What about the Dollar Store? There is only one I go to because it has so many nice things. I needed light bulbs the other day and Albertson's had a sale for $4.99. Next door is the Dollar Store I mentioned. They had GE Soft White for $1 (4-pack) Same with the Plus White toothpaste they sell at Walgreen's. I made up an expression once I call "the dollar store syndrome" because I've worked in sales so much. I relate it to salespeople adding riders to policies or finance managers selling extras when you buy a car that only add a few bucks to the monthly payment. When something is only a dollar or 2, it is so much easier to say "okay."
noahproblem

Roslindale, MA
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July 1, 2004
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Feb 1, 2007, 8:25 pm

Sometimes, but usually for me it goes the other way (i.e. I'm more likely to change my mind and buy fewer tickets than planned than buy more).
LOTTOMIKE

Tennessee
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October 15, 2004
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Feb 16, 2007, 1:28 am

Quote: Originally posted by justxploring on Feb 1, 2007
What about the Dollar Store? There is only one I go to because it has so many nice things. I needed light bulbs the other day and Albertson's had a sale for $4.99. Next door is the Dollar Store I mentioned. They had GE Soft White for $1 (4-pack) Same with the Plus White toothpaste they sell at Walgreen's. I made up an expression once I call "the dollar store syndrome" because I've worked in sales so much. I relate it to salespeople adding riders to policies or finance managers selling extras when you buy a car that only add a few bucks to the monthly payment. When something is only a dollar or 2, it is so much easier to say "okay."

i like the dollar store too.no reason to pay 4 dollars for something you can get for a dollar at a discount store.in fact i did buy a few things the other day.you do save......
guesser

United States
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June 16, 2006
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Feb 16, 2007, 2:33 am

Spend more on what ?
Lottery ? Nope.
Anything else ?
Probably, like chocolate or beer...

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