Bad shopper: Are you one? Credit: andrewarchy/Flickr
A recent study by SteelHouse/Synovate showed only a third of Americans seek out coupons and not even half read reviews before they buy. Yowza! We need to convert these shoppers to make savvy spending decisions. So what kind of shopper are you?
44% I read product reviews before I buy.
39% I always shop with a purpose — I look online only when I’m searching for something in particular.
32% I check out coupon sites to get
the best price.
30% I browse products regularly, even when I have no intention of buying.
28% I buy only when there’s a discount.
27% I buy only when there’s an offer for free shipping.
20% I buy premium brand name products.
18% I often start the checkout process but don’t end up purchasing.
12% I never buy on my first visit to a website, even if a discount is offered.
11% I never shop online.
Plus, gender makes a difference when shopping. (Men say they are better drivers, women say they are better shoppers.) More results of the survey:
- 33% of women say they only buy when there’s a discount or free shipping. Men, on the other hand, look for those savings less than 25% of the time.
- Women are more fond of coupon sites. 37% of women look for coupons, compared with 26% of men).
- Big earners (who take home $75,000+) require discounts and free shipping more than people who make less money. 32% of big earners buy only when there’s a discount compared with 28% overall.
- Big earners are buy buy premium brand names more often: 29% of the time compared with 15% of those who earn under $25,000.
SteelHouse is an eCommerce tech company based in LA. Synovate is a market researcher out of Chicago. 1,000 Americans were polled to create this study.
I never by on-line/nor from tv, never pay full price for items. Look for coupons, or sale pricing. I don’t go to malls just to look. I’m a Niconail all the way.
@di All right! You sound like my kind of shopper!
On certain occasions, and when I’ve already checked retail prices, I’ll buy a product online. However, in general I clip coupons every week, read all the market/store ads, double check my list(s), then plan my shopping trip(s) to buy what I need at the best prices, and to drive a route most direct from home to store in order to conserve gas. I try to avoid going out anywhere without a purpose, mainly because my time and money are more valuable than picking up a trinket. And window-shopping? That’s a total waste of time for me. I shop for what I want/need. If it’s not there, I’m home!