Two main mindsets when making a purchase…
When you go to make any purchase, regardless of price, do you find yourself highly involved in the search process? Or do you tend to opt for the first thing that fits your requirements, thinking “yeah, this is good enough.”
Now, I don’t intend to place a moral argument for or against either one of these, but it’s important to understand the differences while recognizing that nobody is forever tied to their current style, and our default structure is something that we likely learned throughout adolescence.
Being a maximize means you leave no stone unturned when making a purchase, leading you to research all alternatives and seeking the best price across multiple locations. While this approach seems smart considering it provides you with the best deal, it is both time consuming and potentially stressful. In the back of your mind, you might think “oh, but what if there’s a better deal that I missed, or maybe I should just wait in case there’s a better promotion in the future.” This approach should be reserved for major life purchases like a home, car, or choosing of a career. Not everything requires intense research and involvement, otherwise, you run the risk of spreading yourself too thin.
Moving to satisficers, they buy more on instinct and tend to go with the first option that meets their needs. The risk of this is overpaying or having buyers remorse because the product doesn’t turn out to be what you were expecting. On the other hand, a quick decision means you can more quickly enjoy your choice and get on with your life.
As with most things, it’s best to find a common ground and apply each style when appropriate, as opposed to only operating in one fashion.
