What influences consumer behavior?

Question

Is it advertising that creates demand? or prices? or brand? Do you think a product caters to your age group? Example? Do you think there are specific reasons that influence YOUR desire to buy something/ influences your consumer behavior?

Answer 1

well, a lot of things influence your consuming behaviour, these are what I have understood so far;
1. emotion/feeling: for example, if you stand in front of a vending machine you don't bother to spend a little bix expensive snack, because of the cute packaging that you don't actually need it, because what you want actually is the snack inside.

2. Price: of course, anyone wants to spend as little as possible. If they could get the best at the lowest. But sometimes, your feeling influences this (see again number 1 and compare how if I ask you a question on paper and if you really experience standing in front of the vending machine!! on paper, you might just buy the cheapest snack, bcos u dont really see the package)

3.advertisements: it works for most people, especially if it's starred by famous people!

4. Competition in the market that created trends: if one company produces a product, the other companies will also try to catch up with producing the same thing, with more features. The products will be growing like mushrooms in the market, thus every consumer/customer will use/wear it. It creates trend, and of course the demand will be a lot higher.

** For myself, I think my emotion and trends influence my consuming behaviour the most. Sometimes, I dont think rasionally, I buy things, that look good but I dont need it actually.

Answer 2

Does Advertising Influence Consumer Behavior

Answer 3

I usually am influenced initially by the advertisement. If the item is affordable then I actually think twice about the advertisement. I do this consciously and unconsciously. After about the 50th time I see a commercial on tv it actually registers in my head what it is all about. Then as I shop I look at it and unconsiously make the decision wether I believe the advertisment or not and either then need or want the item. If it is something that I don't like or have already tried and don't like, I make fun of the item the advertisement, and everything about it. So don't false advertise.

Answer 4

Consumer behavior is too complex to fit even in one semester grad course, let alone Yahoo!Answers. But... yes, all of those influence consumer behavior. But.... no, that's not even the start of it.

One thing that I would point out, because of the way you stated your question, is that as consumers, we do not behave in one pattern only. For example, when faced with one decision (e.g. buying a new gadget) you might have one type of behavior, like social pressure and a completely different behavior when purchasing something else (like life insurance).

Even within the same broad category you might have different behaviors. Recently my wife made two purchases: a digital camera and a cell phone. In the first case, she was all business, choosing the smallest one with reasonable resolution, but with the cell, she was mostly emotional, picking a tiny monster.

Answer 5

Marketing types hate me. I buy what I need, shop based on performance, not names, and worst of all, I don't give a F.F. what anyone else thinks.
In cases other than new products, advertising is the science of making small minded people want something. If they were good products, they would sell all by their-selves.
Marketers cater to groups that have, and spend money. These groups include age, income, and everything else they are able to identify.

Answer 6

Prices are key ingredients in our economy because they make things happen. If buyers want to own some items badly enough, they will pay more for them. When sellers want to sell some items badly enough, they will lower their prices.

Also check out the Laws of Supply and Demand, that clearly explains how it influence consumer behaviour.

Answer 7

Lack of education and basic intuitive skills coupled with the carpet bombing of advertisements are an influnce on consumer behavior. But so is the sheep mentality of people. "If everyone else need an item then so must I." This thinking is what greedy corporate America feeds off of.

Answer 8

We are bombarded with advertising! (one reason I don't have a TV) I ignore them. Obviously not everyone does - otherwise - why so much of it? Peer pressure - you got to have it - keeping up with the Jones - what the rich and famous have - it's sick! Too much junk out there that we don't need. Some companies build their reputation from their quality products - that's what influences me.

Answer 9

Obviously, advertising is designed to get in "deep" and promote the cravings which fuel us to use their products. The key is to really know yourself, your principals and your values.Although marketing can ignite that "I need" fire, knowing who you are and what you stand for gives you the leverage to choose what is best for you and not for the company advertising. As the saying goes, "Those who stand for nothing, will fall for anything."

Answer 10

advertisments that hit a good nerve with the consumers.