What Type of Consumer are You?
I identify as an individual consumer because “individual consumers purchase goods and services to satisfy their own personal needs and wants or to satisfy the needs and wants of others.” (Kardes, Cronley, & Cline., 2020). All of my purchases at the moment are generally based on a strict budget and done after careful research.
What influences your buying decisions, and how?
The current economic climate is having major influence on what I purchase at the moment. However, if we were to remove that reality, I would say that social media plays a very large part in what I purchase. Also, word of mouth and reviews of products from trusted friends and family will influence my decision to purchase something.
Which stage actually leads to your purchasing decisions?
For me, it would be Stage 2: Evaluating online reviews and researching alternative options. Before buying any product, I want to make sure that I am getting the best deal. I will start by looking at my favorite store and use their price as a base, then I will research multiple locations, competitors or not, for the possibility of a better deal. Reviews also play a large part in my purchase. I want to know if the product is going to do what It claims to do. What’s the longevity of the product? Will it be ready for use straight out the box, or is there assembly required? What does the warranty (if any) cover? All these factors will help me decide if a product is right for me or not.
When making a buying decision, how are you influenced by marketing research and marketing design?
I generally focus on the quality of a product as well as the price point. I am less inclined to purchase name brand items for some products, simply because the generic brand contains the same ingredients at a better price. I’m very mindful of who I spend my money with as well from an ethical perspective.
Do you experience any post-purchase behavior and how?
I generally purchase the same products to avoid buyer’s remorse, but every so often, I am disappointed with a product that came with glowing reviews and a great price. Most of the time it is in the form of a food recommendation, in which something may have been delicious to them, but not so much to me.
References
Kardes, F., Cronley, M., & Cline, T. (2020). Consumer Behavior (2nd Edition). Cengage Learning US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781305161689