The woe of a frustrated shopper. I love Talbots. Of all clothes I've ever tried on in my LIFE, Talbots clothes fit me the best. Any size I've ever been in. The problem - their clothes keep getting more expensive. And more expensive. To the point that their 60-70% sale finally puts pants in the realm of what I'm willing and able to pay. Granted, they last a long time. My problem is I keep changing sizes.

So for Christmas I got gift certificates to Talbots. I was excited because I could splurge. I had one specific thing I wanted - a pair of corduroy pants to replace a pair of khakis from Land's End I have run into the ground. I go to my local Talbots and try on a great pair of cords in a "pomegranate" color. Fits perfect. I go back the next day to purchase - they are not there. So I order on the "red phone" the exact number, style, and color. I add a second pair in a different color because I'm so excited. I have to wait 10 days until they arrive. And... they're not the pants I tried on. They are too big, and they are straight-leg. I wanted boot-cut.

So I call the 800-number and am informed that the stores and the catalog don't carry the same things. So they sent me the straight-leg version from the catalog, when I tried on the boot-cut in the store. The lady offered to send me the boot-cut version in "misses" instead of "women's" (cuz I have a big butt). I am wary because I don't think it will fit, but she offers me an extra 10% off. Okay. I have those sent, and I return the original 2. And of course, I have to get merchandise credit, and charge the second order separately. Nice. So now I have a new pair of pants coming and a chunk of money in "merchandise credit."

The second order of pants arrived yesterday. Nope, don't fit. I will have to return them. I went out to K-Mart during naptime today and purchased a pair of twill Lee khakis to replace the Land's End khakis which are now in a sorry state. This pair cost me 23.99 plus tax.

So tonight I sit down to the computer to spend my merchandise credit. I pick out 2 regular-price items, one of which (sweater) I really don't need but will be fun because it's "canteloupe" color, because nothing that is still on sale will satisfy me now that I have seen the boot-cut style, and it is fabulous on me. The other item is a pair of boot-cut jeans. Anyway, I go to check out and submit all my merchandise credit. And then I see the shipping charge... and it's the last straw. It's THIRTEEN DOLLARS. And .78 cents because they actually TAX me on shipping. On shipping! And it still takes them 7-10 days to get me my order. And I pay THIRTEEN dollars for this?!

I am horribly discouraged and irritated. And very close to not wanting to give them my money anymore. If they didn't have such a great outlet an hour from me, I'd write them off altogether. And notice please, I still don't have a pair of corduroy pants, which is what I originally wanted.

Grr.