What's your number one consideration when making a big purchase?

[rucky]

Poll question: What's your number one consideration when making a big purchase?

"Big" could mean anything that's big to you - or even small, if you apply the same criteria.

I'm sure people factor in several of these choices, but which one's the most important?

[LisaM]

1. Most important to me is whether I really need it and can truly afford it

After that, I try to buy American from companies that treat their workers well. I also try to buy locally where possible.

So, since I don't need a huge plasma TV, the fact that WalMart has it cheaper would never influence me.

[hlthe2b]

12. re "whether I really need it and can truly afford it"

that determines whether or not I RETURN IT! :evilgrin: (ok, kidding, well sort of)

[Ian David]

2. Other: Will it help me get laid? n/t

[rucky]

3. That explains the Corvette filled with Axe body spray in your driveway. n/t

[CoffeeCat]

11. So, can I assume...

...that you own an impressive car and stereo--but no snowblower or power tools?

;)

[Ian David]

18. Oh, no... you guess wrongly...

[rucky]

21. What gets you laid in one town...

gets you lynched in another!

:rofl:

[flvegan]

4. Value for money.

And that's after deciding if it is really something I *need*.

[obiwan]

8. That's how I roll, too. "Value For Money".

And, do I need it?

[ThomWV]

5. Other: "Utility" - meaning does it do what I need to have done?

[Burma Jones]

6. How quickly, if at all, will it depreciate

[sandnsea]

7. I have to determine price first

And then quality and country of origin within my price range. If I have to wait until something I'm comfortable with comes into my price range, then I wait.

[Warpy]

9. Other: Do I really need it?

If I do, then I start looking for things like quality and utility and whether or not I can get it manufactured here in the US by non weasels, all important considerations.

That first question cut down on impulse purchases which is how I stayed out of debt.

[TahitiNut]

10. (1) Need, (2) Afford, (3) US/union, (4) Bang-for-buck, (5) Local

Only VERY rarely does (3) NOT assure (4). US and union-made almost always result in cost-effective.

:shrug:

[LisaM]

15. Plus they last longer

my boyfriend was fixing something once with a pair of pliers made in China (he did NOT buy them) and they flew apart and practically took out his eye.

When you add in the cost of losing your eye, it makes the Chinese pliers not very cost effective!

[TahitiNut]

16. Well, even though I'm now so old that I don't buy green bananas ...

... I've always regarded durability/longevity as part of "bang" in "bang-for-buck." I like stuff that lasts and holds up to proper usage ... like Craftsman tools. No matter how inexpensive, things that break down or wear out soon just aren't worth the cost ... cost in in terms of money, time, effort, and aggravation.

[enlightenment]

17. Yesterday I made a big purchase - two pair of jeans.

Not Your Daughter's Jeans. About $100 a pair, but they are perfect for grown-ups AND made and manufactured in the US.

Definitely worth it.

[LisaM]

20. With clothing, I always break it down to cost per wearing

I buy pricy shoes, but had some that lasted three or four years - even when I wore them 200 days a year. Compare that to the cheap pair of clogs I bought at KMart that didn't last two months (the only reason I bought them was that I couldn't find what I wanted in the expensive brands).

[MazeRat7]

13. Value

A combination of attributes about said "product" that helps me decide to purchase it. In other words, no one thing on the list.

Peace,
MZr7

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Practicality.

I really don't need a digital toaster, or an automated coffee stirrer.

But, I'm very fond of cars that always start and go from point A to point B and can pass most gas stations and repair shops.

I'm indifferent to style and origin. If it works for it's intended use I'll pay the lowest asking price.

[negativenihil]

19. Other

How shiny is said major purchase? how many blinking LEDs does it have?

;)