Did not buy anything vs. bought nothing

I agree, although the first usage is uncommon in my experience.

If you were ticked off about the way you had been treated, you might use it to convey your anger, emphasizing that you did not do business with these people.

When using the second expression, your shopping experience may have been pleasant, but the store was unable to furnish your size in the style you had in mind.

In a parallel situation, suppose you were being tortured to give up secret information.  "I gave them nothing!" would be more emphatic than, "I didn't give them anything."

In solving a difficult problem, "I'm getting nowhere with this" is more "negative" than "I'm not getting anywhere with this."

Thanks Avangi and CalifJim!

P.

You should go shopping in Los Angeles  -   The San Fernando Valley, not Beverly Hills!  There are some rude salespeople.  They might rush you, or try to stampede you into making a decision, getting shoes that hurt your feet, making you feel cheap, not listening to you, giving you a disgusted look, talking down to you, refusing to help you find merchandise, pressuring you to buy something you don't want, etc.

These are exactly the slacks I'm looking for, but do you have them in a 32-inch waist?