Impulse Buying: Why You Buy Stuff You Don't Need

You may have noticed that checkout lines often have whozits and whatzits galore, but your opinion of them mostly depends on how a couple different regions of your brain work.

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[KingsleyIII]

"The pain of paying." I guess you could call it the _payn._

[angelcollina]

Using cash doesn't slow me down. If I have cash in my hand, I think, "Oh look I can buy this thingy right now!" <buys immediately> But if I have some sort of card, credit or debit, I have to think "What else have I used this card for? Do I have the money available? <checks card balance> "You know, now that I think about it, I don't need that thingy anyway."

[microbuilder]

I'm not a tightwad, I'm just poor lol

[freshoutofcrabs]

If you have an executive function disorder that causes impulse control problems, there is a pain of waiting that is really difficult to fight. It's like you suddenly really need this thing you want and no matter how much you try to fight the urge, you can't stop thinking about it.

[WarpScanner]

Impulsive upvote for old DBZ reference that I never get sick of.

[NewMessage]

So.. I don't NEED this dancing Santa that sings 'White Christmas' and scares the willies out of the dog?

[stephenvoncrven]

maximizers regret more as they continously "check" their purchase. "is it REALLY as reasearched?" "is everything working at 100%?" after that much research you expect a product "as on paper" but lots of times little insignificant defects come along and then you are not satisfied.
also there will always be the capability limit of that particular thing you bought, which at the time was far away, but after intense use (as a maximizer should do) you'll hit the limit and then you regret not getting the deluxe model. or else you find you never used a feature you planned for and regret not buying the not-so-deluxe model.

- a maximizer
(i waited 6 months to get my actual phone after i decided i needed a new one, luckly i enjoy it)

ps. automation is a huge relief

[ReginaFera]

THANK YOU for actually giving us not only the raw information, but ways we can be more aware and take care of ourselves depending on our tendencies! Providing not only insightful, but actionable information is what I love about psychology! <3!

[vancel]

at 4:19 - Get out of my spreadsheets, Hank! :p

However, I am actually happy with my purchases, because once I've made my decision, I don't look back. :)

[yushatak]

I grew up with electronic purchasing and the Internet, so I actually find that cash feels like "play money". Once I have cash in my hands, it's like disposable crap that I'll spend pretty easily compared to using a card, entering numbers online or my PIN in person.

[hellgxrl]

So working in retail I’ve learned certain words can really affect people into buying things. “It’s ONLY $x.xx”, “This is on sale TODAY” even though it’s on sale all the time, saying today makes people think they’ll miss it if they don’t get it today. also making people think if they don’t buy something, something negative will happen works great. “Buy this cleaner to get rid of HARMFUL bacteria”

[Master_Therion]

I bought a Fitbit and similar devices to measure my heart rate.
I'm not... Impulse Buying, "I'm Pulse Buying."

[nikonissinen]

Why, even being a tightward maximizer, I get these random "I shall buy everything what I see" strokes? I usually buy when I know I need something and even then spend plenty of time thinking of "can I afford this" and "do I really need this". Can "the need to buy" build up somehow and then it just comes like a gasm and I have no idea why do I suddently have a go kart, +50 inch tv, used traffic lights, popcorn maker and where the heck did my money dissapeared to...?

[cecespykes]

I’m a maximizer and my partner is a satisficer. He has had a lot of buyers remorse on products that didn’t end up working well. So now he tells me what item he wants to buy (usually online purchases) and what he wants it for so that I can find the right one(brand) that will best serve the purpose. So far this has been working well he trusts my judgement.

[DioOmicida]

An "Over 9000" meme throwback? Lawl
This is why SciShow is one of my favorite channels.
Thanks for helping me laugh and learn.

[nautica]

you've summed me up perfectly.. im a maximizer. I will look for hours over details and videos and look at things in person, only to buy something and be unhappy with it.. so I'll buy the replacement and maybe be unhappy with that too. It needs to be perfect to me.

[CaprishaPage]

I have really enjoyed these videos on how we make decisions and are influenced when it comes to spending. It has really caused me to reevaluate the way make look the purchases I intend to make. Thanks.

[MathPiHanan]

I know I make decision matrices on any new buy that could cost more than $100
I thought that’s because I’m a math person, but turns out it’s because I’m a maximizer

[holyq]

This got me close to home. I actually have a massive spreadsheet of computer hardware and it's abilities to price ratios I made before MAXIMIZING my GAMING BATTLE-STATION.

[elenagibbons]

That opening sentence had me chuckling. That’s an accomplishment right now, because it’s early, my throat hurts, I have a cough, and a few other things. So kudos to you, SciShow.