Response to Jackie Cook's Post...

“What was the last product you purchased? Under which category of consumer goods would you classify it as? Explain.”

Let’s see, the last product I purchased was a new phone. This classifies as a consumer product because, as Jackie stated, it satisfied a personal need not a business need. I did not need a new phone for my place of business. I got a new phone because I personally wanted it. This purchase could be classified under 2 of the consumer product categories: shopping and specialty. I did my homework in figuring out which phone I wanted, which phone would meet most of my needs, and what amount I was willing to pay for it. I had no problem spending money on a phone if it met all or most of my requirement; I also put in a great deal of time researching the various brands and models of phones to make sure I got the best possible option for my personal needs. This could all be classified as shopping.

This purchase also fell under the specialty classification. A new phone posed a unique characteristic to me. I also did not have a problem putting in the time, effort, and money to obtain this product; as I previously stated. As Jackie stated, a purchase of a product may fall under several different categories; each product does not have its own classification. For example, a car could fall under a shopping, specialty, and unsought classification all at the same time. Unsought because maybe the persons car broke down (sudden problem) and now they are in need of a new car; whereas before the break down the person did not see the need of looking for a new car. It also falls under the shopping classification because the buyer is willing to put in the effort to research and buy the new car. Last, the specialty classification because once they make a decision they are willing to go to any means necessary to obtain a product. Certain purchases can be classified under certain categories by the needs they meet and how far the consumer is willing to go to meet those needs. A product might meet a certain classification for one person but it could meet an entirely different classification another.

So now I as the same question to you: what was the last product you purchased? Under which category of consumer goods would you classify it as? Explain?