One of the ways I’ve learned impulse control over the years is researching what I want to get before I buy it. With the ubiquitous Internet, it’s easy to look up anything at any time. But what we may have forgotten in the growth of the World Wide Web is that not all sources are credible, even if they look that way. It’s easy to disguise a shady website to make it look legit, and it takes a savvy commenter to be able to make a questionable product sound wonderful. Watch out!
Think About the Source
Of course, a quick search will yield plenty of results for whatever it is we’re looking to buy. New or used, the long list of search results will drive anyone batty within minutes. But if it’s something that will last, or that you’re spending some real money on (like a laptop, for instance), it’s vital to consider where you’re reading your reviews. Not every site will be as reliable as, say, Consumer Reports. Make sure you know the integrity of the website or magazine you’re reading so you don’t impulse buy and have your money (or worse, your identity) stolen.
Consider Multiple Sources
What might look like an opinion on one site may just end up being copy for another site. Look at different kinds of sites or magazines before you decide. Folks who have problems with certain products tend to be very specific about what they didn’t like, and the really good reviewers tend to explain what products are good for certain people.
If You Don’t Feel Confident, Don’t Buy
Depending on how much time you spent doing your research, even if you went to multiple sources to find the pros and cons, you still might not feel confident enough to buy what you’re looking for. That doesn’t mean you’re obligated to get it! If the price is a sticking point, you might want to wait to buy anyway when it goes on sale, or wait to buy it used.
Do you research before you buy? Like us on Facebook and tell us!
