Decisions decisions decisions... to buy or not to buy?
By ahgong
@ahgong (10064)
Singapore
June 11, 2008 3:15am CST
Have you ever been in the situation where you want to buy something, but you cannot justify a good reason to buy it, but you really want to buy it, what would you do?
Would you still go ahead to buy it?
For example, you are looking at a brand new LCD TV and it is going for a very good discount. But you bought your flat screen CRT only about a year ago. You can well afford it.
But the TV you have at home is pretty new. The sticker labelling the new features of the TV is still at the corner of the TV where it was one year ago when you unwrap it from its box.
And it is not giving you any problem.
So there you are standing at the store, wanting a LCD. But you cannot justify the purchase. What would you do?
Would you say heck, buy it and get rid of the old one.
Or
Would you say nay, the existing TV is still good and new, no reason to get one till it starts to give me problems.
I am sure this applies not just to TV. It could be the new washing machine, the new dish washer, that new set of power tools, that new computer, that new playstation, that new laptop... etc etc. The list is endless. But the dilemma is the same.
What would you do when you are caught in such a situation?
Share your views.
4 responses
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
11 Jun 08
wow that's really a very difficult decision. i guess i know myself quite well. i succumb to such temptation easily. therefore i rarely go shopping if i don't need anything. the one time i stepped into an electrical store and i returned home with a LCD TV. the price is really attractive at $999 for a 37". i don't really need one but i still bought it. it ended up in my room mainly for gaming purpose.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
11 Jun 08
Precisely the case with me as well.
I love gadgets and new electronic stuff. So much so, if I do not have a system in place to justify a purchase, I probably be broke from overspending. 
But now and then, there are those urges and wants that is difficult to shake.
Difficult hor?
But now and then, there are those urges and wants that is difficult to shake.
Difficult hor?@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
12 Jun 08
Tell me about it!!! I know I have to replace some items at home, so I definitely will be making some purchases. But the temptation of buying other things is going to drive me crazy!!!
Worst of all is, I will not be around during the weekend to gawk at all those beautiful gadgets!
Sigh... looks like I have to wait for the next show to get my fix of touching and exploring new gadgets!
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
11 Jun 08
hahaha we are the same kind of people. the pc show starts tomorrow and i'm so afraid to step in there. there's just too much temptation. the ever-dropping price of external HDDs is one. the lower prices of GPS devices is another. i'm so afraid that i'll be tempted to spend again.
@34momma (13882)
• United States
11 Jun 08
You sound like my husband. he is always buying something new even though the one we have is just fine. me i am so not like that. but sometimes you just have to treat yourself is what i say. as long as the money you spend is not going to come from bills being paid and the things that are needed. why not, treat yourself
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
12 Jun 08
Ha ha ha ha ha... 
momma, when it comes to men and gadgets, there is never enough!
That is why I have a system in place. Unless I can justify the purchase... as in I need to replace it or something like that, I will give the purchase a miss.
I may look longingly at it, but it has to be bypassed for better options at the point in time.
momma, when it comes to men and gadgets, there is never enough!
That is why I have a system in place. Unless I can justify the purchase... as in I need to replace it or something like that, I will give the purchase a miss.
I may look longingly at it, but it has to be bypassed for better options at the point in time.
@moneymint18 (481)
• India
11 Jun 08
Hi ahgong,
Whenevr i plan to buy something new it can be TV,washing machine,car,byke anyhting decision is very much required to be taken.
One day but long time back i went to a music shop i saw a gitar, that was very nice . immediately i decided to buy that gitar. i asked the price he told it costs 100$ but still i took because it my decision from my heart.
When you have to select some thing like TV and there are so many types of TV is available with different different features some feature of some TV you will like but some you dont. It may happen that you like a TV you found that is the best for you but Later you found that it is Plasma TV it is very costly then your final decision may change once again.
The decision depends on two thing one in your pocket money and other is your like and dislike!!
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
11 Jun 08
Hi Hi moneymint18, thank you for your prompt response.
I was thinking along the lines of want vs need.
For example, if you already have a guitar that is serving you really good, and you see a newer model of the same thing, would you still go ahead and buy it when the old one is still good and working?
Another good example is PC. You have a good working computer with some of the latest technology in the desktop sitting on your desk at home. But along comes a very nice looking laptop that has only half the configuration of the desktop.
You would like the mobility of the laptop, but you do not NEED it for now. Nor do you see the need for that extra mobility at the cost of price and configuration for the next few years.
Would you still fork out money for such a want when it cannot fulfill any need?
@YOULANLIU (311)
• China
11 Jun 08
I think that should depends on what you want to buy.For some items may continue to be used,it is not necessary to be replaced by new ones.But for others is different.For exemple, I'm a philatelic enthusiast and I have found someone is selling a group of rare stamps ,although they will cost a lot,I decide to buy them,that't just because of the interests.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
11 Jun 08
That could be argued as a slightly different kind of want.
You see, it is a collection for a hobby. That set of rare stamps is something you do not have in the first place.
What I am referring to is wanting something you already have that is working. Even though you can well afford it, would you spurge just to satisfy a want for something that functions similar to what you already have?
