Researching a purchase to death

[BehindBlueI's]

My friends laugh at me that I research every purchase to death and then get 5 competitive bids before actually buying anything. I researched pickups for about 4 months before I test drove the first one, drove probably 12-15 different makes, models, trim levels, and then got bids from dealerships in a 150 mile radius before I bought my truck, and I guess sometimes I also take it to that level with more minor purchases. I tore up my garden by hand for three years before finally buying a tiller.

I've been considering a rifle for over a year and can't make up my mind what I really want. Ditto with a landscaping trailer. Any time I think I've figured it out I get wallet cramps and end up not buying anything.

Anyone else overthink purchases to death?

 

[bobbittle]

I'm nearly the exact opposite. I'll do an intense burst of research on something and then buy it, essentially on impulse, as my research usually takes place on my phone while looking at the item.

 

[Rhoadmar]

My friends laugh at me that I research every purchase to death and then get 5 competitive bids before actually buying anything. I researched pickups for about 4 months before I test drove the first one, drove probably 12-15 different makes, models, trim levels, and then got bids from dealerships in a 150 mile radius before I bought my truck, and I guess sometimes I also take it to that level with more minor purchases. I tore up my garden by hand for three years before finally buying a tiller.

I've been considering a rifle for over a year and can't make up my mind what I really want. Ditto with a landscaping trailer. Any time I think I've figured it out I get wallet cramps and end up not buying anything.

Anyone else overthink purchases to death?

I do sure getme a good case of them wallet cramps from time to time.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Same here... If I'm going to spend my hard-earned dough I'm certainly not going to rush into buying something only to find out I got the wrong thing... I typically "watch" prices and reviews for a few months before buying "nice-to-have" items that I don't need immediately...

 

[LEaSH]

It's OK to be that way. Especially with the larger purchases.

You know and I know that there is no way we are going to cover everything in our mind - and maybe even regret the final choice. But we don't go willy-nilly into a dealership or someplace and allow someone else to decide for us.

We try to think it out. Imagine it. Then something better comes along and back to step one.

I was looking at plastic trash cans at the Do-it-Best hardware store and must've over-thought it a bit; "Do I need two with wheels or two without wheels?" That, I confess, was kind of a waste of time for me.

 

[gregkl]

I do enough research that my friends, when they are ready to buy, just ask me what to get.

 

[jeeper038]

I'm the same way. It drives me nuts when I only have a month or two to buy something.

 

[CQB]

It's called "Analysis Paralysis"
I too am a sufferer.

 

[Sgtusmc]

I was reading your post thinking you were looking into purchasing something you were calling 'death'. Nothing made sense!!

 

[sepe]

I've done this while browsing Craigslist ads for escorts and usually buy the time I make up my mind, they've been busted or moved the sting on down the road.

 

[danmdevries]

I do the same, but usually end up not buying anything that I've done the research/analysis on because in the end, I still can't afford it.

However I've built up a great wealth of knowledge that friends, family and coworkers come to me for advice on what to buy from cars, to paint, to garden supplies, to windows.

The upside is it's kinda rare that I have buyers remorse. I may still get a bit, simply because my wallet is thinned and I may need to put something else on hold a while.

 

[SMiller]

I can only afford to do things once, I only want the best, I want to take the absolute best care of it. I research everything to no end, we are a rare breed!

 

[ViperJock]

I too suffer from this syndrome. I research it and make a decision, then I ask for advice and reevaluate my decision based on the new info which often leads to more hand wringing. Often times I end up not buying anything. I do find that my ability to afford an item has an inverse linear relationship with the time I spend researching it, lol.

 

[gregkl]

I can only afford to do things once, I only want the best, I want to take the absolute best care of it. I research everything to no end, we are a rare breed!

Yup. I rarely have buyers remorse. And if I decide to sell something, it usually sells quickly since it has been well maintained and was high quality to begin with.

Ever notice how often times it is difficult for someone to sell a lower quality item. So you saved some cash in the initial purchase, and then it was harder to move and you had to sell it for much, much less. I have been disappointed a few times when I compromised and bought something that was "cheap", but I can't recall ever being sad that I bought the best.

 

[perry]

I've been thinking of a new TV for probably 2 years now. I read about the new ones and watch prices, but haven't made up my mind. I have the cash set aside for a new one, but can't bring myself to buy. The cable tuner in mine is bad and my choices were to get a cable box to watch premium channels or switch to an antenna... so I'm using the antenna and waiting until I find a compelling deal. Saved me money on cable

 

[gregkl]

I've been thinking of a new TV for probably 2 years now. I read about the new ones and watch prices, but haven't made up my mind. I have the cash set aside for a new one, but can't bring myself to buy. The cable tuner in mine is bad and my choices were to get a cable box to watch premium channels or switch to an antenna... so I'm using the antenna and waiting until I find a compelling deal. Saved me money on cable

The upside is, if you wait long enough you can skip some technologies!

By the time I replace my current tube style TV, I will have bypassed plasma, LCD and will go right to LED!

 

[churchmouse]

I usually know exactly what I want before I go looking for anything major such as a truck etc.
Have the same mindset for most purchases. Have learned to do a bit more research when buying used off the interwebs.

 

[edporch]

I research all purchases of any significance, but I don't research them to death.
Just enough to feel comfortable, and then I quickly act on my decision.

With the Internet, there's so much information out there that it's stupid not to check other people's experiences with item's I'm thinking of purchasing.

I still know people who when they need a bigger ticket item, just go and "buy something", and more often then not, end up with some cheesy POS that for the same money they could've had a quality item.

 

[eldirector]

Not to the same degree, but yes.

As the expense and or/importance goes up, my research time goes up as well. I research my vehicle purchases for 6-12 months. Lots of test drives, online research, and cruising the dealerships. Same with computers, TVs, etc... Our house took 3 years. We've been discussing buying some property for 5 years. I've been looking for the "perfect" holster for 3 months, and its only $50 or so! But, it is IMPORTANT to me.

That said, we usually buy "on impulse" once we feel we are ready. Heck, I closed the deal on our house while we were on vacation! All by phone, email, and fax. Signed the paperwork the day we got back. It felt like a rush, but we had spent years making sure we had our ducks in a row. When we finally found it, we closed the deal in less than a week.

Salesmen either love me or hate me. If they catch me early in the process, there is NO CHANCE of a sale. I'm just not ready. If they catch me at the end, it is the easiest money they have ever made.

 

[Birds Away]

I wish I would have done that before I got married.