I'm a gadget geek. But I'm a pretty frugal one. Just because some cool gadget appeals to me doesn't mean I have to buy it. I'm content just checking it out...seeing it, learning about it. Sometimes on my way home I'll pick up a dopio espresso macchiato from Starbucks and then stop in Best Buy while I drink it...just to look around. I suppose Oprah might call that "a little me time." I like to see what's out and what might be on sale. But I don't buy the latest techie gadget just to have it. And, honestly, I'm not that obsessed about it either -- I just take note of those gadgets that interest me or that I think I might like to have...if I'd spend the money. But I very rarely spend the money unless the particular gadget meets a need -- I'm a practical guy, and so it's gotta be a practical purchase.
But even when it's practical, I really like to know that I got a good deal on a worthy item. And so I'm very much one to research an item I'm interested in, read reviews, check out ratings, and follow prices in stores and especially on the Internet. Yes, I do have a membership to ConsumerReports.org and, yes, I use it, as well as lots of other sites for ratings, reviews, and pricing. Now, I also like to get the best when possible...if it's reasonably affordable and justified by my practical side. Of course, that all has to start with knowing what the best is, what makes it the best, what the prices are, and where the value really lies. Sometimes the best is worth the price, but sometimes the best is just not the best value. All of this comes into play for me in feeling good about a purchase. I'm not an impulse buyer, and I rarely have buyer's remorse, because I do my homework. And the great thing for me is that it's usually homework I enjoy!
PT you need to blog more!!
Posted by: Eric Mellenthin | Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 03:28 PM