240 likes | 262 Vues
Learn how to make wise consumer decisions on buying goods and services. Explore brand vs. generic options, timing of purchases, ideal shopping locations, and effective price comparison techniques.
E N D
Making Consumer Decisions Buying Goods and Services
Consumer Choices • Deciding What to Buy • Deciding When to Buy • Deciding Where to Buy • Deciding How Much to Pay
Customer vs. Consumer • CUSTOMER • A person who selects and purchases goods and services • CONSUMER • a person who selects, purchases, uses, and disposes of goods and services
WHAT TO BUY BRAND vs. GENERIC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcYJsxkDbUg • Brands – help consumer distinguish it from other products • Generic – priced lower because… • producers spend so little on marketing and advertising • Usually sell for 40% lower
WHEN TO BUY Planning a major purchase in advance can help save money • End of Season • After the holidays • Before new models are released
WHERE TO BUY Department Stores Discount Stores Off-Price and Outlet Stores Limited-Line Retailers Superstores Convenient Stores Warehouse Stores Shopping at Home
Department Stores • Sell a wide variety of goods • Clothing, Furniture, appliances, jewelry • Brand Names • Customer Service • Higher Prices • Examples: • Macy’s • Penny’s • Carsons
Discount Stores • Sell a wide variety of goods but at lower prices • K-mart • Wal-Mart • Target
Off-Price and Outlet Stores • Off-price and outlet stores are able to offer large discounts because the items they sell have minor flaws, are out of season, or have been discontinued, or were overstocks: • TJ Maxx • Marshalls • SteinMart
Limited Line • Sell an assortment of goods in one product line • Such as: Electronics, shoes, sporting goods, clothes • Examples: • Dick’s Sporting Goods • Best Buy • Toys R us • American Eagle
Superstores • Superstores are a complete grocery store but also have a wide variety of other items • Examples: • Super Walmart • Super Target • Meijers
Convenient Stores • Provide easy access that consumers often buy as a necessity • Usually close to home • Examples: • 7-11 • White Hen
Warehouse Store • Typically the size of a football field • Carry a huge selection of food and nonfood items • Bulk • Examples: • Costco • Sam’s Club
Shopping at Home • Examples: • TV • Catalogs • On-line
WHAT TOPAY • Most expensive – best quality? • Least expensive – best buy? • HOW do you know what to pay??? COMPARISON SHOP • WHEN MOST IMPORTANT? • Major purchases • because the cost differences can be enormous
COMPARISON SHOPPINGComparing the prices and characteristics of competing brands or stores Comparison Shopping Checklist • Price (Unit Pricing) • Features • Quality • Convenience • Warranty
COMPARISON SHOPPINGComparing the prices and characteristics of competing brands or stores Comparison Shopping Checklist • Food - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBRpai6gFe0 • Toys - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRUQRXnDpdo&feature=related • Clothing – Online Comparison sites
Preparing to Shop Study Advertisements WHAT IS ADVERTISING? • Advertising is a paid form of communication, to persuade a particular audience to purchase goods/services • Three primary objectives of advertising are to: • Persuade • Remind • Inform
Advertising Strategies • Advertising Strategies • Rational Advertising – facts and information • Emotional Advertising – appeals to your feelings
Preparing to shop… Reading Consumer Publications • Consumer Reports • Examines and rates products • Consumer Research Magazine
Shop at Sales • Promotional Sales • Special buy on new products • Clearance Sales • To clear out goods that are out of season or nolongerprofitable • Loss Leaders • Advertised products that sell at a loss to bring customers into a store
Preparing to shop… Uses Shopping Lists • To avoid impulse buying • To help save money Resist pressure and gimmicks • “Super low prices” • “You’re Won a Prize”
Read Labels and Warranties Warranty • A written guarantee from the manufacturer that states the conditions under which the product can be returned, replaced or repaired • A legal document that states the rights and responsibilities of the consumer and manufacturer • Federal Law requires sellers of products greater than $15 to have a written warranty
Types of Warranties • Implied • Unwritten guarantees that a product is fit for the intended use • Expressed • Written and comes in two forms • Full warranties states that the seller will repair or replace the product. Usually good for a stated time period. (ie: 90 days) • Limited Warranty covers only certain parts of a product. The buyer may have to pay a portion of the repair cost