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What makes you impulse buy?

Oct 4, 2012 4:58 PM

What makes you impulse buy? Is it a name brand, the price, an OMG i need to have that thing i never saw before monent, some combination of those, something not mentioned?

philosopherott philosopherott

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vote-for12vote-against

I'd say price is number one, if the price is right I'll buy it. Necessity comes second; if it’s something that I can benefit from but don’t actually need, I’ll still buy it if the price is good. And somewhere in there is the product itself; if it’s actually something nice, or a piece of junk.

eraten eraten
vote-for3vote-against

Another factor for me is why I need the product and how much I will use it. Many good (but cheap) pairs of earbud headphones have been purchased that way.

jethroop369 jethroop369
vote-for6vote-against

Flashlights, I'm addicted!!

kp1111 kp1111
vote-for7vote-against

Crabbiness. If I'm having a bad day, and feeling especially put-upon (because, you know, my life is SO HARD), I'm much more likely to buy something on the basis of "what the hell."

Price is another major factor. If I see something that I have considered buying, and it's super-cheap, I'm likely to buy it even if I don't really need it right now (or at all, for that matter).

jjkehoe jjkehoe
vote-for9vote-against

So far, people have mentioned very concrete things, like price or discount, but I'll admit that "what makes [me] impulse buy" is usually psychological, especially my mood. If I'm feeling lonely or insecure, I'm much more likely to impulse buy than if I'm feeling content or self-confident.

neuropsychosocial neuropsychosocial
vote-for6vote-against

Mood is a big one for me. Plus if it's 90% off or something insane like that I almost always have to grab it. I think it's because we grew up on the poorer side, so there's that "it's too cheap I need to get it" mentality there. And if it's a unique item on sale I'll probably buy that as well.

minxa1 minxa1
vote-for6vote-against

1- If it's something I've been needing/wanting and it's at a stupidly low price, it's pretty likely I'm going to buy it.
2- If it's on wine.woot and it seems like something I'd like and the community is favorable on it (winery participation also), I am more inclined. I've gotten some really good wines that way.
3- If I've unlocked free shipping, I'm inclined to check around and make sure I'm maximizing that value.
4- If I'm out shopping in a store, it's almost always price

inkycatz inkycatz
vote-for3vote-against

price, followed by how much i need it, followed by how useful it is...

andrewhallze andrewhallze
vote-for4vote-against

I maintain a mental list of items I don't need, but would allow myself the opportunity to impulse buy if it hits a certain price point. I scan the deal sites daily but probably only buy 1 or 2 things a month or less.

I used to impulse buy Ebay crap, now I just buy stuff on that site I need and don't want to pay retail price for. It's my go to place for hard to find replacement parts, pool parts, tools, etc... rarely impulse buys unless I come across a rare comic

ryanwb ryanwb
vote-for3vote-against

Everything.

chellemonkey chellemonkey
vote-for3vote-against

Seriously though, I am much more inclined to impulse buy in a physical store. Online it is mostly after getting free shipping, otherwise I will put things in my cart but never follow through.

Also, any cute baby things for my nephews that cause me to squee

chellemonkey chellemonkey
vote-for4vote-against

Flashing lights and bright colors. It's kind of like a purchasing seizure...

Oh, and alcohol. Alcohol always makes me impulse buy.

okham okham
vote-for4vote-against

means, motive, opportunity.

no1 no1
vote-for6vote-against

a desperate need to fill a void that is present elsewhere in my life.

(see also: retail therapy.)

pemberducky pemberducky
vote-for3vote-against

impulsiveness.

morriea morriea
vote-for3vote-against

@kp1111 Yeah I know! I'm compelled to impulse buy flashlights too. I have no idea why but I have a deep urge to hoard flashlights. I'm otherwise very frugal and don't require much... But I must have more flash lights! I just don't understand why. Perhaps I should seek medical help...

retorak retorak
vote-for2vote-against

I don't impulse buy. I remain rational when shopping. My main buy-stopper is "Do I need this?".

jsimsace jsimsace
vote-for3vote-against

I try my best to steer away from Costco.

Never once in my life our receipt was ever under $300 from one trip there.

joshobra joshobra
vote-for2vote-against

Anything outdoor gear at a good price...and you got me hooked!

johnnys13 johnnys13
vote-for1vote-against

Hunger. Otherwise I'm careful before I spend. Friends are so impressed that they often honor me with bird sounds.

mtw1057 mtw1057
vote-for1vote-against

If it's on sale AND the sale is ending soon, I make stupid decisions. Wootoffs, for example, or other one-day sales. That sense of wanting to make a quick decision before the deal is gone makes me forget to verify whether I really need the item, or if it's really worth what I'd be paying for it.

adelas adelas
vote-for1vote-against

Woot

mrichard629 mrichard629

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philosopherott
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