| How to be a Smart Consumer Posted: 05 Feb 2011 12:53 PM PST  As consumers, in the mad advertising world we live in, being wary of the prices and being knowledgeable about what you buy goes a long way to being a smart consumer. Did you know that on average, a person sees about 3,000 advertisements per day? This means literally almost every minute of your life, you are being advised to do something contrary to what you may think. The first step of being a consumer is learning why brands, well… brand. Although you may think well, I only watch so much T.V., there are many ways companies influence consumers to purchase their products even without the use of the media believe it or not.
Branding The point of branding is trying to make consumers aware of their products and to make them want to purchase their products/services, despite you even knowing it. Although I know it may sound weird, it is true. The point of branding is to influence a large audience and when it comes to a point in time when you think you may need it, whether it be from peer pressure or your everyday needs, the point of branding is to ensure you are more likely to purchase their products/services sort of indirectly. An example would be a Nike sweater. Although you may not be aware of it, I’d bet at least 1/10 people you see while walking around is wearing something that says Nike on it. When there is ever a point in time when you see this happening, that is when you know they are on another level. Branding is all about influence and the mental scheme behind it is what makes it so powerful in the marketing world. As a smart consumer, it is crucial to know this. There are several steps you should take before purchasing something you think you may need, or desire. By following these steps, you will become a much smarter consumer. Because nowadays more often than not, consumers purchase things without thinking twice. - Prices
- Compare prices with other known alternatives, especially with electronics.
- Look for deals, discounts, and coupons online.
- Calculate. If you are purchasing something that uses a scale to determine the price, be sure to calculate the price of one unit and compare it with other products that way you know what you are dealing with. Products that uses a scale can be pretty misleading.
- Research
- Read reviews online on the products you are looking for before purchasing.
- Ask a friend or relative if they have or have heard of the product/service you are interested in.
- See if the company is reliable, consistent, and has good customer service.
- Check if the company has a positive record on known sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a company that alerts the public of frauds against consumers and businesses, provide information on ethical business practices, and act as mutually trusted intermediaries between consumers and businesses to resolve disputes.
- Deal with reputable, reasonable companies to ensure there are no extra headaches on the way.
- Ask your self
- Do you really need it?
- What do you like about it? Is there a certain component you like? If so, are there any other alternatives?
- Are you able to afford it with your current finances?
- Will you get bored of it and not use it after a month?
- Are you purchasing it because of the hype?
- Wait for the hype to settle down and if the reviews still stands tall after a month, it is probably a worthwhile purchase. Also, on top of that, you get the benefit of having lower prices.
- Are you being logical and have good arguments?
- Refrain from compulsive buying
- Don’t buy stuff just because you enjoy shopping. This is what companies want so they can fill their pockets.
- Read the fine print
- If something is too good to be true, it probably is. If you are uncertain about something, it is recommended to read the fine print to ensure you are not surprised with something misleading.
- Don’t purchase unnecessary things
- Although snacks can be enjoyed every now and then, don’t make it a habit. It is generally bad for your wallet and your health. This applies to everything else that is unnecessary as well.
- Don’t buy things you can do
- An example would be prepared food. If you are able to slice fruits, do you really need to pay extra for something you can do in matter of seconds?
- Every purchase should have a purpose
- Consider more than one factor when purchasing products. Don’t let one great feature cloud your judgment. For example, while price is an important factor, low price alone shouldn’t lure you into an inappropriate purchase decision. Important factors such as brand quality, and your individual usage intentions should be taken into account whenever making purchase decisions. Even a “cheap” item needs to have an established purpose before it’s purchased.
- Recognize trends and patterns
- If you recognize that a certain store you occasionally go to has certain offers in particular days, it may be beneficial to take advantage of this smart thinking and wait a couple of days for the reduced prices.
- Sometimes stores send out catalogs. Having an idea of when they come can prove to be a life saver for your wallet.
- Buy in bulk for non-perishable items
- Canned foods are an example of non-perishable items that you can stock. The point of purchasing these items in wholesale is to ensure you are getting the most bang for your buck and because they have long expiration dates. When purchasing in bulk, it is crucial to take into consideration every single penny when evaluating its worth.
- Don’t shop on an empty stomach
- If you shop on an empty stomach, you are more likely to give in to the temptations and purchase something you would regret buying. Statistics show on average people will buy 20% more stuff if they go shopping hungry.
- Keep your receipt
- If anything goes wrong, keeping your receipt ensures you a temporary warranty. If anything, it is there to help consumers so be sure to stash them somewhere safe.
How to be a Smart Consumer is a post from: Moola Days 
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