What type of consumer are you?
Looking at my consumer profile, I'd say I’m a mix of hedonistic and idealistic types. I tend to prioritize spending on essentials, but I also indulge occasionally, especially when something aligns with my interests or values (Babin, 2021). My lifestyle is a blend of practicality and enjoyment, where I focus on needs first, with occasional splurges on items that might bring me joy or fuel a current interest. As a neurodivergent person, I find that my consumer habits can shift based on hyper-fixations or new interests, so sometimes my purchases reflect these short-lived, intense interests rather than long-term needs.
What influences your buying decisions, and how?
My buying decisions are influenced by a combination of necessity, values, and personal interests. I lean toward a hedonistic approach, as I often look for items that bring joy or improve my daily life, but I also seek things that align with an ideal lifestyle that I envision for myself later down the road. When something resonates with my interests or values, I’m more likely to purchase it on the spot than in the next month or two. Marketing, especially that which taps into my values or current hyper-fixations, can also sway me; If a product aligns with my interests or promises lasting value, it becomes much more appealing and often pushes me to make the purchase sooner rather than later. And if there’s a deal involved—well, then take my money ASAP!
Which stage actually leads to your purchasing decision?
For me, the “evaluation of alternatives” stage often leads to the final purchasing decision (Babin, 2021). I spend time comparing options to ensure I’m making a thoughtful choice, weighing the value, function, and alignment with my current needs or interests. Given my neurodivergent tendencies, I often have to pause and ask myself whether I’m making a decision based on a true need or a passing fixation. This stage helps me separate long-term value from impulse.
When making a buying decision, how are you influenced by marketing research and marketing design?
I’m strongly influenced by marketing design that resonates with my values or interests. Visual appeal and clear information about a product’s benefits , not to mention if they have a clean UI for either mobile device, it can make all the difference for myself. Having well-executed marketing that speaks directly to my consumer values—such as sustainability, functionality, or innovation—tends to grab my attention (Babin, 2021). Additionally, detailed marketing research that aligns with my lifestyle (such as messages focused on neurodivergent-friendly products or flexible usage) is more likely to sway me toward a purchase. Take Speechify, for example. It's a software designed to make reading more accessible for people like me and others with disabilities. The software converts text into speech, allowing users to listen to written content instead of reading it. It can help you with articles, books, and documents, and the nice part is that it doesn’t sound robotic in the slightest and it allows you to adjust the speed for your reading needs.
Do you experience any post- purchase behavior?
Yes, I often experience post-purchase behavior, particularly cognitive dissonance. After a purchase, I’ll second guess and have to evaluate whether the item met my expectations or if it was an impulse buy linked to a hyper-fixation. And sometimes, if I feel that I could have made a better choice, I might experience mild buyer’s remorse. However, if a product aligns with my needs or continues to bring value, I’ll feel satisfied and more confident in similar future purchases. Recently, I made a purchase off Amazon for a wireless phone charger that was a three in one, not only does it charge my phone but my headphones and smart watch. This to me was a smart purchase because it helps me not have clutter on my nightstand and I don’t have to keep track of all these different charges and where to plug them in. Just a one and done.
References Babin, B. J., Harris, E. (2021-02-11). CB, 9th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf 10.4.1]. Retrieved from vbk://9798214339405
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