Buying kit - easy or difficult?...

Chadford

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I nearly can't buy anything. I spend ages looking at reviews and agonising over specifications. More often than not I buy something and return It because I'm not entirely happy with something or other. It just takes me an age to get from A to B with a purchase.

Conversely my brother,... say he wants to buy a large screen TV, he goes into a shop, points at one he likes the look of, takes it home, plugs it in, If it works he's happy.

At the end of the day I wonder if he has a better philosophy?



On buying new kit that I've taken back home, I always look for defects rather than benefits.
In general the defects that I find, given time, seem to evaporate after a couple of weeks of usage.


Can you go into a shop and buy something significant on impulse?

:eek:
 
Yes.
 
I need to learn to go with my gut feel. This is often what happens with me.

I do a little research and decide on what I am going to buy.
I then get the wobbles and ask for advice on the forums.
I get plenty of advice, often conflicting which causes me to do loads of in depth research.
This doesn't help because I realise that there is even more conflicting advice.
After weeks of deliberation I try to work out what is the best by consensus and make my purchase, which is usually different to what I originally planned to buy.
I then regret my purchase wishing I had just stuck to my guns and bought what I planned in the first place.

An expensive example.
For my man cave I wanted a pool dining table. It was just for a bit of fun, I am not very good, nor do I have any interest in being good and definitely not playing in any pub leagues.
I wanted an American style spots and stripes 2.25" balls, big pockets, fat cues, blue beize.
Rather than hit the buy button I made the mistake of asking. And I was convinced that UK pool (2.00" balls), thin cues, smaller pockets would be much better on a 7ft table. And go with green beize because then you can get a set of snooker balls too.

So that's what I ended up buying, plus some extra spots and stripes balls (because the UK table came with red and yellow) and some snooker balls (which are a waste because I'm not good enough to play snooker and the table is too small really).

It's fine, but I really wish I had just stuck with what I originally wanted.

Cheers,

Nigel
 
Another example, also from my man cave.

Never intended to have a TV in there. Then one day I saw that good 47-50" HD flat screens could be had for less than £500. So I decided to add one, nothing flash, no sound system etc.

Ended up paying £750 for the second choice TV because I had dallied and my first choice was now fully sold out.

Then I had to admit that the speakers were tinny so I would go with a basic soundbar. Bought one, not happy, bought a much better one, still not happy. Decided I had to have 5.1 speakers which meant an AVR. Paid more than I needed to get one that was way over spec. Bought some cheap-mid speakers which look really nice but don't sound right because of the size and layout of the room. And it took a lot of extra work because I never intended to have 5.1 in there so missed the opportunity to put in the cabling while the room was being built.

Started of with no TV, then I saw one in Currys for £350 and I ended up spending nearly £2000 and still not really happy with it.

Cheers,

Nigel
 
I'm more in the 'Chadford' camp than the 'Chadford's brother' camp, by a reasonably long way. I labour over decisions for far too long to the point it irritates me.

But when I do make an impulse buy I immediately wonder whether I've done the right thing.

Need to find some middle ground. But I do think part of the enjoyment I get from things comes from the research element.
 
When I am going to buy anything (car/tv etc) I research all the reviews I can find on the internet. I have to say I enjoy doing this but it drives MrsD mad. Mind you she doesn't complain when she see's how much money I can save by doing the Research.
 
Personally, I'm always always looking at reviews and things, so when i do make the decision, i can be reasonably sure I'm good. but the actual decision to make a purchase, is often impulse.

eg. i think I'm gonna go buy something. BOOM i know what to get
 
The problem with forums and asking for advice is

Q? - I want gadget x which is for sale at £99, any good?

A? - It's ok but for £150 you can get this
A? - if your looking at that for £150, why not consider Y at £175, will give you more bass.
A? - That's awful, I bought this at £200 which is only £25 more, looks nicer under my Besta unit

And so on and so on, so gadget x ends up costing me 6x more than I wanted!

Impulse can be a good thing!
 
I tend to have "planned" impulsive buys which means if I have a vague interest in buying something I will do sufficient research that means when a good opportunity comes up I will jump at it.

A prime example of this was when Tag Mclaren ceased trading and existing stock went on sale at a huge discount. I came home from work, logged on to AvForums and within 5 minutes ordered a dual processor AV32 for £1500 knowing that it was a fantastic piece of kit at a bargain price. I kept it for a few years and sold it for what I bought it for!
 
I am happy when there isn't much choice. I have just ordered a new drive and the drive guy gave me a leaflet with a hundred different types of block paving. Thankfully I know he has done his own so I just asked for the same one he's got. Nice and easy. It's definitely not that easy when it comes to buying a tv or camera.
 
Have a few drinks then go on Amazon. I always seem to be wealthier after a few drinks.
 
I always did stacks of research when buying kit, but I also made sure I visited numerous forums to get a widespread view.

I've noticed over the years how some prominent members/advertisers have been overly praiseworthy of particular brands or products (for whatever reason) and it has an almost hypnotic effect on other members' purchase choices.
 
The trouble is nowadays is that you need a degree to understand all of the thermology of a TV and so on. So confusing what is what. Can't be bothered. All my AV kit is old now but still works fine. My TV is not even full HD.
 
@Chadford , yes know how you feel. i research and agonise over which item, then worry about getting it at the best price, etc. i rarely impulse buy and hence hate going into specialist shops where you get sales folk. i hate the pressure of feeling i have to buy something just because they've demoed it. i'm sure they don't really care if you walk out but..
for me it maybe just comes from growing up with not a lot of money, everything had to be earned and you wanted your stuff in good nick etc
it's a work in progress, i do want to be able to buy more and not care as much. i'll never be someone that just throws money about but more impulse would be nice
 
"Analysis Paralysis"

You spend so long researching the decision you never really make one.

I'm not a natural risk taker, and would rather not have the item than have the wrong one. Even it solves the problem. I would rather have a problem identified, and wait for the correct solution, than have a half-solution.
 
I went through a phase of buying various bit of hifi kit after my trusty old Nad C270 developed problems and I bought second hand - so, wan't able to test items out really... I bought a few turkeys tho (synergy issues etc), but because I was buying them cheaply I could sell them more or less what I paid for them... :)
 
Cars take a while to choose- the consequences of choosing one with aspects you find flawed are not easily or quickly resolved. Everything else, not really. My TV, Camera, most white goods and indeed my phone were purchased sight unseen and I am happy with all of them. Audio equipment doesn't count so isn't included in this calculation- I'm paid to agonise over it.
 
With tech , no problem at all - I'm fortunate enuff to have worked in pro audio and in Av retail to know whats a load of cack and what isn't. There's also a few people who are somewhat smarter than me on certain things who's brains I can tap into when needed.

The rest is pounds and pence, if it's not going to make you homeless, buy it.. I've recently learned again that life can be snatched away from you all to easy.
 
It's a bloke thing. We have "What Hifi" "What Home Cinema" etc. I've yet to see "What Curling Tongs" or "What Hairdryer". Don't worry over it. There aren't any really bad mobile phones, TVs or anything else. Just some things that are less good than others.
 
I don't find it a problem at all. I research enough to know exactly what I'm buying and to choose between a few options but once I've decided then I'm happy and I don't have to revisit my other choices to see if I made the right decision.

I often read, and have commented, in some of the hardware purchase threads where people look out for every little fault in their purchase and I just can't figure it out. They seem to get zero enjoyment from what they've just bought and spend all their time picking it apart.
 
Research, Research, Research. More importantly is to get the right AV gear for room size and environment. I'm pretty anal on this front as I have seen so many peeps with over the top kit for the room

Room first , then the right kit to put into it. Once the initial bases are filled it's just an upgrade path when you feel the need for it.

It really isn't rocket science, especially being a member on here as it's an invaluable resource.
 
The problem with forums and asking for advice is

Q? - I want gadget x which is for sale at £99, any good?

A? - It's ok but for £150 you can get this
A? - if your looking at that for £150, why not consider Y at £175, will give you more bass.
A? - That's awful, I bought this at £200 which is only £25 more, looks nicer under my Besta unit

And so on and so on, so gadget x ends up costing me 6x more than I wanted!

Impulse can be a good thing!

Let's take this forum as an example and one is looking for a new display with an A , B or C choice.

My way is to monitor said A,B,C threads of members using said product . I don't intrude on a thread until I have made a final decision and I have a question or can help out fellow members questions on it.

I always find it better as a lurker when making a decision on a product .
 
Personally, I think it's about identifying priorities.

I was gobsmacked the first time I saw my Pioneer LX5090 plasma, even more so after it had been calibrated. When I decided to upgrade it was an easy choice: a LX6090! A bargain at £1200 and barely used as a spare set by the seller.

I still watch it now and am amazed. HD looks fantastic and it's very forgiving of Freeview SD/DVD's, which is important to me. Am also very happy with my old Yamaha amp and Oppo Blu-Ray player. And you can't go wrong with PMC speakers, no matter how old.

Hi-Fi: I like a warm, musical sound, not too bothered in the last word in detail analysis. I listen to my music, not criticise it! I don't think anyone claims the LP12 to be the best turntable ever (apart from Ivor, maybe), my Arcam amps are 15+ years old and my Bryston CD player is okay, a bit clinical perhaps for my tastes (will change for an Exposure 3010 S2 when funds allow), but it all comes together well in my room.

I'm 52 and my hearing and eyesight isn't as good as it was 20 years ago anyway. Also, I don't know how long I've got - it might be 30 years, it might be 30 minutes. I agree with Mr Danger: as long as it doesn't bankrupt you, then get your choice down to two and pick one.

Every year something is bigger, better and faster than the previous year (really?). That breeds dissatisfaction from consumers and potentially endless purchases for manufacturers. At some point you have to step off the "upgrade" treadmill and just be happy. Ignore the hype and promotion from Hi-Fi and Home Cinema magazines!
 
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No.

I have to do the research first, in private, then go and get what I have decided on.
I don't want to be sold anything - in fact if someone tries to sell me something I will give them one chance before walking out and going somewhere else.
The days of the uninformed buyer are over.
What annoys me is the person in the shop who thinks they know more than the person handing over the money, when they clearly don't (in most circumstances). Sure, there are experts, but most sales people (that I have come across) clearly only know what it means for them, rather than for the future owner.

Impulse buying is for a packet of crisps...... except I know what I want & like, so buy that brand, so err, no, that doesn't really count as an impulse purchase either....

Me - OCD? Surely not.......
 
What annoys me is the person in the shop who thinks they know more than the person handing over the money, when they clearly don't (in most circumstances). Sure, there are experts, but most sales people (that I have come across) clearly only know what it means for them, rather than for the future owner.

This- at best- needs qualification. To a greater or lesser extent, we each have a speciality area where our knowledge levels render sales staff a process rather than an adviser but this equally means that there are dozens of other areas where this isn't the case. In the last twelve months, personally I can think of at least four occasions- mattresses, dress shoes, a child's bike and a savings plan- where my research, though reasonably thorough, was comfortably eclipsed by the person who worked in that sector and their suggestions were comfortably superior.
 

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