You’ve heard about tracking your spending so you have a clear idea of where your hard earned money goes. But there are different approaches to buying depending on your consumer behaviour.
The Under-Buyer
With this consumer behaviour style, you delay making purchases to the last minute and/or you buy as little as possible. You wait to buy seasonal items like a winter coat or bathing suit until just before the point you need them – and then can’t find a suitable one. You consider buying an item, then decide to get it some other time or that you don’t really need it.
You rarely have backup supplies of common personal and household items and often feel stressed because you don’t have what you need when you need them. You have to shop more often and make a lot of late night runs to the store. You tend to cling to things that are past their usefulness and so are surrounded by things that are shabby and worn out, don’t work well or are not entirely suitable.
The Over-Buyer
Over-buyers on the other hand lay in huge supplies of items such as shampoo or paper goods. They love to shop at wholesale clubs like Costco. They throw things away – dairy products and medicine because they’ve hit their expiry dates before they can be used up. They buy things like tools or gadgets thinking that they will probably come in handy some day.
They buy items with the thought that they will make great gifts – without having a particular recipient in mind – or because the sale price can’t be beat. They often feel stressed by all the clutter in their homes and, especially, by the waste that’s often created by their over-buying consumer behaviour style.
The Satisfied Buyer
Some people make a decision, or take action as soon their criteria are met. They don’t necessarily settle for a mediocre product, but as soon as they find the item (hotel, shoes, auto) that has the qualities they want they are satisfied with their purchase. Men generally fall into this consumer behaviour category. They have a purchase in mind, enter the store, find what they want and then pull out their wallet – quick and efficient.
The Perfectionist
Perfectionists want to make the most optimal decision. Even if they see something that meets their requirements they can’t make a decision until they’ve examined every option so they can make the best choice possible. They spend a lot of time and energy to reach a decision and they’re often anxious about whether they did in fact make the best choice.
The Hoarder
Some people are hoarders in the sense that theybuy things and don’t use them. Either they don’t want to spoil the pristine appearance of the product, or they want to save it for a perfect occasion or for “good”. Or the item may be an expression of a desire to change something in their life – treadmill, sports equipment, craft supplies – but just making a purchase won’t accomplish the change until a plan of action is developed.
Your Consumer Behaviour Style
My consumer behaviour style tends to be an under-buyer with a touch of perfectionism. I squeeze out the very last bits of toothpaste or hand cream. My worn out or stained clothes are good enough for wearing around the house.
As long as my possessions look and work OK I don’t bother to replace them and when I do decide to go shopping I have to check out every store to find the best product – maybe I’ll find a better version, a cheaper price or a different colour. I tend to get stressed out if I can’t find exactly what I’m looking for when I need it right away.
Most people have a combination of purchasing styles and sometimes all of them are in evidence at different times.
What is your consumer behaviour style? Does it work for you?
