Help Us Out: Do You Buy Electronics Based on Want or Need?
It's the question every cash-conscious consumer asks themselves while shopping: Am I buying this because I need it or because I want it? This is especially at play with gadgets since the rapid pace of innovation sometimes makes our devices seem obsolete just months after purchasing.
So we're curious to know, how do you make your tech purchases? Take our survey and let us know how you decide when it's time to upgrade your gadgets. Your input will help us with a future article!
To me the survey is flawed. For example, when I upgraded my phone I got a better rate on contract. So I am tied t a contract and have no way to answer the question regarding a new unsubsidized plan (not tied to a carrier contract). There should be a selection "not applicable". If I answer with the current selections I am not being truthful and thus throwing off the results and making them inaccurate.
Want, definitely. It usually starts with seeing something and then my mind has this weird power of convincing me that I NEED this new tech, but it's not fooling anyone, it's a want.
But I'm also good getting rid of tech; I sell my old iPhones as soon as I get new ones, I also once bought a Refurb dell Windows 8 tablet which I liked for like 3 months before not using it, so I sold it on ebay as well.
I truly believe electronics have a self destruct program in there (Apple's I believe are linked to warantee date). And my purchases are based on having to replace what has died.
Your survey missed the most common timeline criteria for when I upgrade - when the device no longer functions or meets my needs. It has nothing whatsoever to do with this year or next year or anything timeline or product upgrade.
I rarely buy anything as a new release item, I'd rather wait and see if it lives up to its advertising and has build quality. Typically, device X is showing it's age either in function or usability and I start researching. I'll narrow down a short list and wait for deals. If one of my selections becomes a spectacular deal, I'll buy it before the original actually ceases function or usability.
But I'm also good getting rid of tech; I sell my old iPhones as soon as I get new ones, I also once bought a Refurb dell Windows 8 tablet which I liked for like 3 months before not using it, so I sold it on ebay as well.
We did take that into account. In those cases you can choose the "I needed a new xyz/my previous xyz broke" option.
I rarely buy anything as a new release item, I'd rather wait and see if it lives up to its advertising and has build quality. Typically, device X is showing it's age either in function or usability and I start researching. I'll narrow down a short list and wait for deals. If one of my selections becomes a spectacular deal, I'll buy it before the original actually ceases function or usability.