Why People Buy What They Don't Need

A Shopaholic

By Oyindamola Abdulazeez

I looked through my ward rope while trying to pick what to wear for the day, I laid my hands   on an evening dress I bought some time ago. Then I asked myself why I had bought that dress, I seriously couldn't answer that question because I hardly step out of my compound anything later that 6.00pm, I don't even attend dinner parties. So what could have prompted me to buy that dress? I pondered.

In the process, I discovered that 45% of what I own were bought without me needing them. Then I heaved a sigh of relief and took solace on the fact that there are so many people like me out there who buy things they don’t need and I decided to make analyses the reasons why people buy what they don't need.

One of the key reasons people buy what they don’t need is attributed to the advert they see or read. People’s perception of some TVCs, bill board placements and newspaper prints drive them into buying certain items they don't need. A product advert could speak to ones emotion thereby prompting him/her to buy that product without necessarily considering if it is needed.

Another unnecessary and uncalled for reason why people buy what they don’t need is ego. This is mostly common with females. This is can be likened to ‘purchase to oppress.’ People do this to oppress a friend or because you don't what anybody to be better than them. When you do these, you would realize that you are in competition with everyone and it is most likely you are not even noticed.

Changing trend also makes people buy things they don't need because they want to follow the trends. You buy things because people are buying it not because it is what you need and sometimes, you end up having liabilities that won’t add value to you.

Excess money makes people buy anything that come their way without considering if there is a need for it. When you have more than enough money at hand, there is a very high tendency you buy things you don't need because you feel you have the money. When you are out of the "I get money spirit" and you are probably getting broke and trying to make account of how you've spent the money then you might realize that a greater proportion of your money was spent on things you never really needed.

Brands that are well packaged with aesthetic designs gives people a very appealing look that spur them to buy and have a real time feel of the product.  This is a strong tool adopted by most manufacturers to sell their products.

Constant word of mouth is also a very strong reason why people buy what they don’t practically need. This is just to enable them have an vivid experience of what they have heard about the brand over time.  

There are people who have fun of buying whatever they set their eyes on. Such people are referred to ‘shopaholic’.

Shopping for items you don’t really need can get you bankrupt, living you with things you don’t need at the expense of things you actually need. It can lead to ‘pity me story’ as in had I known, I wouldn’t have made that purchase.

In a nut shell, everyone would have been a victim of this subject. I quick assessment of you and your belongings will definitely reveal your attitude towards buying.  It takes a wise and disciplined mind to shop for only the needful.