Shopping can be a fun activity any time of the year. But there can be dangers associated with shopping. We are looking at how to be safe and smart when shopping.
Carol Odell of your BBB meets with Tia Warren with Image by Tia to discuss the psychology of shopping. Merchants design their stores to encourage us to spend more. Tia gives tips to keep our shopping streamlined and on budget.
There are so many factors that affect our shopping decisions. We do not generally just go out to shop for shopping’s sake; there is usually a reason. There are ways to stay on budget and control impulse spending.
Shopping is a sensory experience, and the store owners try to work this to their advantage. Merchants study the psychology of shopping and that is OK because that is what they need to do to make a living. They design their stores down to what you might smell, what you see and what music you hear. They want the experience to be pleasing to the shopper so you will buy as much as possible.
Many people start their shopping day sort of vague about what they want. It is recommended that you do not go shopping until you know what you are looking for. Plan your shopping experience in advance. The most important tool you can take with you when you shop is a shopping list.
Take the time to sort through your closet and inventory what you do have and what you do not have before going clothes shopping. We get into trouble when we just sort of wander and buy items without knowing if we really need them. After you have checked your closet and made your shopping list you should preselect a couple of shops where you expect to find your items at your budget level and sometimes you can be surprised by great sales. This can save you from driving all over town or wandering a whole mall and spending several hours on your feet.
A large department store can be overwhelming to some people so if you know which department you need to go to then you can avoid the overwhelming feeling by being focused. You need, for example, a new suit for work. You can go right to that department because you already know that you are looking for suits and hopefully you even know which color you are looking for.
Some people keep aware of the time of year that certain stores have their sales and time their purchases to coincide with those sales to save money. If you just show up to shop on impulse or you do not have any time because you need it today or tomorrow, then you probably will not be able to save as much as you would if you planned ahead.
An impulsive buyer is a person who gets an extra rush from shopping, people who love shopping get that rush anyway but there are some people who shop because they are trying to soothe stress or anxiety in their life. That is exactly when you should not go shopping. Go running or choose another more healthy and productive activity than spending money in the stores.
We need to be aware of why we are shopping, when we are shopping and control what we are buying to make sure it is productive shopping. Make your list, take cash, look good and be comfortable.
The BBB Eye airs on PPLD-TV, Channel 17 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and then again on Saturdays at 6:00 p.m.