Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

I had my shower this weekend with DH's family. It was small and quaint, and I noticed that more than 3/4 of the guests did not shop off the registry. I always wonder why people do this - any thoughts? I always stick to the list to make sure people get what the want and need.

I know my family will take care of it for our main shower, I was just curious if other people had this experience and why we think it is this way?

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

Sometimes people feel like they "know" what you need. Also some people will buy what they see on sale.

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

I don't know. So far, every shower I've been to the majority get the gifts off the registry. We're the guests informed that you were in fact registered?

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

I think some people are just old school and they want to buy what they want, and not be told what to buy. Or it's just too much work for them.It's ridiculous.

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

This would be my mother. It drives me . For my own bridal shower she didn't even buy off my registry, she bought me all these things, that yeah they were nice, but meanwhile there's tons of things that I ASKED for on my registry that I never got.

She does this for everyone's showers of all kinds, no matter how many times I explain to her the PURPOSE of a registry. She wants to buy what she wants to buy and that's that. On behalf of my mother and people like her, I apologize.

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

Posted by ruby

This would be my mother. It drives me . For my own bridal shower she didn't even buy off my registry, she bought me all these things, that yeah they were nice, but meanwhile there's tons of things that I ASKED for on my registry that I never got.

She does this for everyone's showers of all kinds, no matter how many times I explain to her the PURPOSE of a registry. She wants to buy what she wants to buy and that's that. On behalf of my mother and people like her, I apologize.

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

Because that would be to easy.

Stick to the list people, this is why we have them.

Message edited 9/3/2008 3:08:02 PM.

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

that is definitely weird - but it happened to me too!! i found that some people saw what was on the registry and decided to buy something similar (like the car mirror) at a different store, like target - maybe they just got it cheaper there

the only thing i didn't mind getting that wasn't on the registry was clothes - but i didn't have many of those on to begin with

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

Someone who bought from my registry (an older family friend) told me afterwards that Babies R Us was so overwhleming and there was so little assistance in finding anything that she almost left the store without my gift.

Since then, I have chatted with a few older, grandparent types at the register and they have said the same thing. I think for some older people, registries weren't around in their day and the new stores are so huge and overwhelming that they would just rather buy something in a place they are familiar with.

Then there are the people who just think they know better than you what you need. I was sitting at a shower with someone who proudly told us at the table that she never buys off the registry. One of her gifts was a bouncer that the mom did not register for. She thought it was the greatest gift because it had a sun shade over it and you could use it outside. She didn't stop to think that since the baby was born at the end of October, he would probably outgrow it by the time they could take him outside. Also, the mom and dad were renters and I don't know if they even had access to the backyard. Of course it was returned and the one she registered for was purchased.

Message edited 9/3/2008 3:17:30 PM.

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

Posted by dpli

Someone who bought from my registry (an older family friend) told me afterwards that Babies R Us was so overwhleming and there was so little assistance in finding anything that she almost left the store without my gift.

Since then, I have chatted with a few older, grandparent types at the register and they have said the same thing. I think for some older people, registries weren't around in their day and the new stores are so huge and overwhelming that they would just rather buy something in a place they are familiar with.

Then there are the people who just think they know better than you what you need. I was sitting at a shower with someone who proudly told us at the table that she never buys off the registry. One of her gifts was a bouncer that the mom did not register for. She thought it was the greatest gift because it had a sun shade over it and you could use it outside. She didn't stop to think that since the baby was born at the end of October, he would probably outgrow it by the time they could take him outside. Also, the mom and dad were renters and I don't know if they even had access to the backyard. Of course it was returned and the one she registered for was purchased.

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

I think to surprise you...... but frequently, it's seriously hit or miss.....

There are some things I received at my shower that were totally not my taste, or duplicates. (Ironically, there were a few things I forgot to register for, that I received triplicates of... since BRU is EVIL , I can return NONE of them becuase the guests didn't mention my registry # during the purchase (even though they are BRU brands). I was perplexed that some really popular shower gifts (ex. diaper bag) were not purchased by anyone! (correction: upon my registry peeking and sad comments, DH surprised me and bought the bag )

so great, now I have 3 of these things

I will admit that for wedding registries, I have occassionally gone off registry and bought stuff. Usually something functional or decorative (like a wine rack or a pair of vases). I do this usually becuase the registry is almost bought-out though... I would feel lame showing up with salt and pepper shakers a coffee cup and a soup bowl KWIM?

Message edited 9/3/2008 3:34:22 PM.

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

Re: Why do you think people don't buy off the registry?

I actually like it. I loved getting things that I didn't know I was going to get or gifts that people made, etc.

I usually buy one gift off the registry and then get something else more personal.