How to Avoid Getting Lured Into Bad Shopping Habits
Originally Published on The Franklin Prosperity Report
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For some, shopping is practically a sport that comes with a dopamine high and a clear winner and loser at the end of each transaction. For others, it’s simply a chore that must get done — hopefully, as painlessly as possible. No matter which camp you fall into, everyone is a consumer, and every brand is vying for your attention. But the way most of us shop now is a far cry from the way it was done even 10 years ago, particularly in terms of the purchase of nonessential items. “Consumer shopping habits have changed over recent years,” says Matt Glowiak, a Ph.D. and licensed clinical professional counselor who specializes in shopping addiction.
“Some explanations include advances in technology, enhanced marketing strategies, and dynamic cultural shifts. Although shopping is an essential part of life for meeting basic needs, it is also a source of pleasure, entertainment, and even a coping strategy.” Of course, COVID-19 has also played a role in changing our habits — and not for the better. “During the beginning of the pandemic, online shopping became a way of escaping by imagining future social scenarios where you could wear the outfit you were buying, or a way to have a connection to the world outside the house you were quarantined in,” explains Lily Ostler, a licensed social worker and psychotherapist with ForwardinHeels.com, a service that provides convenient online counseling in New York for women at every stage of life. “It was both a fun activity, a distraction, and a reminder of the way the world was and would hopefully be again.”
But beyond the emotional aspects of shopping, you may also be falling prey to gimmicks and tricks you aren’t even aware of, specifically designed to encourage you to buy more frequently and spend more. Here are some ways to shop smarter and avoid those sneaky marketing tactics:
• Consider BOGO deals a red flag rather than a freebie. Who doesn’t love the idea of free stuff? “But do you really need two of the same product?” asks retail expert and creative brand strategist Leena Alsulaiman. “Will you get to the second product before it goes bad? What if you decide to change products after you purchase, but you are now locked in? It is a way for retailers to get you to spend extra cash on something you don’t need at the moment, and they are clearing space for newer, shinier products.”
• Be discerning about sales. Sure, that sale may appear to be a good deal, but is it really? “Compare sale prices to regular prices to see how deep the discount really is,” suggests Karl Quist, an online shopping expert and CEO of InvisibleHand, a free browser extension that works as a virtual shopping assistant to automatically search thousands of retailers to find the best prices. “And keep in mind there may also be other retailers selling the same product for less. Don’t get caught up in the sales hype without doing your research.” • Verify whether the glowing online reviews are real. Don’t believe everything you read; many shady companies post positive product reviews they’ve either bought or faked. Instead, download Fakespot for free. Once installed, this extension shines a spotlight on shady sellers with dishonest reviews on everyday websites, including Amazon, Best Buy, eBay, Sephora, Walmart, and Shopify. Choose sellers who have an A or B rating for greatest peace of mind.
• View coupons for high-end products as a slippery slope. “One way retailers get you to try and get hooked on an expensive product that is out of your price range is by giving you a coupon to use on the first purchase,” Alsulaiman says. “The catch is that once you try the discounted product, love it, and want to buy more, you will end up paying full price. So, the savings you got in that first purchase are wiped out by you buying the expensive product regularly in the future.”
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