What’s an Impulse Buy?

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Impulse buying is buying something without considering necessity or logic, from small items like candy bars to large purchases like cars. Retailers stock checkout aisles with small, inexpensive items, and vending tables offer heavily discounted items. Some consumers buy items based on logos or symbols. Impulse buying can cause embarrassment or remorse, but car dealership impulse buys can be expensive and have long-term effects. Experts suggest various reasons for impulse buying, including the need for instant gratification and fear of running out of commodities.

An impulse buy, also called an impulse buy, is an impulsive act of buying an item without considering necessity or logic. The purchase can be as small as a candy bar or as large as an automobile. An impulse buy may only happen occasionally or be a habitual practice.

The most common type of impulse buy is usually perceived as a small fact at the checkout counter. Retailers typically stock these aisles with small, inexpensive items that shoppers tend to add to their chosen purchases while standing in line waiting to be helped. These items typically include small packages such as candy bars and gum, as well as miscellaneous items such as playing cards, disposable razors, writing pens and packing tape. Traders choosing to place in these locations tend to be based on the hired needs of the general population of shoppers and low cost.

Another popular scenario that often calls for an impulse buy is a vending table or rack. Shoppers often spot a sign advertising heavily discounted items and start loading their shopping carts with the bargains. The actual need for the products is usually not anticipated, as the decision is usually based solely on cost savings.

Some consumers are enthusiastic about a certain symbol they identify with, such as a logo, celebrity name, or flag. A good example is placing a sports team logo on objects that have nothing to do with the sport or the team. Many people are drawn to these items and will buy goods for which they have no use based solely on the logo.

All of these types of impulse buys normally cost the consumer, at worst, some embarrassment or remorse once they get home with their purchases and consider their compulsive behavior. However, one type of impulse buy can be very expensive and can have detrimental long-term effects. This is the impulse buy that often occurs in a car dealership showroom. Even though the scenario is quite common and is often portrayed in television and movies, consumers seem to fall in love with it every day. A prospective car buyer browses showroom offerings, usually determined not to make a purchase and simply gather information. In a relatively short period of time, a persuasive salesperson can successfully excite the prospective buyer into making a purchase on the spot. The buyer often doubts the hasty decision in a short period of time.

Ongoing studies on impulse buying suggest various reasons for the phenomenon. Some experts point to the human need for instant gratification as a cause of behavior. Others tend to believe that the act is based on an internal fear of running out of commodities such as food or drink. Another theory suggests that shoppers must make a purchase of an unlisted item to exercise their right to spontaneity.




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