How to buy technology and gadgets?
Yes, I do reviews of products. Yes, I advertise products and services on my website. I am an affiliate advertiser as I've written on my disclosure page. However, I thought today I'd not try to sell you anything in this blog post. I thought I'd go over how I decide to purchase a technological product. But first? Here's what I don't do:
But when it comes to technological products and gadgets, I have a whole other set of standards that I adhere to simply because I'm not rich. I haven't won the multi-state powerball lottery. And I don't live on my own island. In the Caribbean. With white sands and turquoise waters. [Tweeting.] If I did and had all those things, well, it'd be a different story. I'd buy whatever toy and gadget that I wanted. [Which would be all of them.]
Instead, I have to make intelligent decisions about my technology purchases. I have to weigh needs and budgets, which are usually on opposite ends. [*Big Sigh*] So, how do I do it? This is the process that I go through when trying to decide what to buy.
In other words, I look at my needs and wants then find the correct tech product or gadget that's going to complete me.
Which is how I ended up with Umber and not an iPad. Not that I didn't want an iPad because the big overgrown gadget geek in me wants one, but it wasn't going to complete me. Together, Umber, my Nook, and my iPhone? They complete me. *snort*
So, when I mention, suggest, or review a product, I'm presenting it to you. I'm rarely going to say that you MUST get it. Why? Because I have no earthly idea what it's going to take to complete you. Duh. If I could do that I wouldn't be here.
I'd be on my own island.
In the Caribbean.
With white sands and turquoise waters.
Tweeting.
~Caroline
Yes, I do reviews of products. Yes, I advertise products and services on my website. I am an affiliate advertiser as I've written on my disclosure page. However, I thought today I'd not try to sell you anything in this blog post. I thought I'd go over how I decide to purchase a technological product. But first? Here's what I don't do:
- I don't make a purchase of anything solely based on the product itself. [OMG. THAT is SO kewl! Must have.]
- I don't purchase anything just because it looks pretty or comes in a color that I prefer. [Look! It matches my purse which matches my shoes which matches my eyes. I MUST have it! It's, like, meant to be.]
- I don't purchase anything because it's on sale. [It's SUCH a Greeeaaat deal! Look at how much money I'm saving, hon'.]
- I don't purchase anything because it's not on sale. [All that stuff they just put on sale? So two-thousand-and-late.]
- I don't purchase anything because it's expensive. [It MUST be the best. That's WHY it's so expensive. It's the finest. Duh.]
- I don't purchase anything because it's cheaper. [OMG. Look at what a great deal that is!]
- I don't purchase anything because so-and-so purchased it. [Did YOU SEE what she had? If SHE has it, then it's gotta be good and I MUST have it.]
- I don't purchase anything because so-and-so said I should because they purchased it. [So-and-So said that I must have it. That it's perfect for them. Therefore it will be perfect for me. Which credit cards do you take?]
But when it comes to technological products and gadgets, I have a whole other set of standards that I adhere to simply because I'm not rich. I haven't won the multi-state powerball lottery. And I don't live on my own island. In the Caribbean. With white sands and turquoise waters. [Tweeting.] If I did and had all those things, well, it'd be a different story. I'd buy whatever toy and gadget that I wanted. [Which would be all of them.]
Instead, I have to make intelligent decisions about my technology purchases. I have to weigh needs and budgets, which are usually on opposite ends. [*Big Sigh*] So, how do I do it? This is the process that I go through when trying to decide what to buy.
- I write down what I really detest about my current product or system and what I love about it. What works? What doesn't?
- I write down what I want my new product or system to be able to do now and 1-1/2-2 yrs down the road.
- I look at online retail places to see what's out there, to see features that are offered.
- I solicit opinions from others on Twitter and other social media sites. [But mostly Twitter.]
- I explore online many different tech sites and forums to define terms of parts of the tech product or gadget and to explain what each one does.
- I then take what I've learned and go back to retailers to start comparing prices with my wants & needs.
- I explore tech sites, like CNET.com, to see what they're recommending, but I understand it's from a tech geek's point of view. [I just know he's comparing it to his idea of perfection.]
- I explore retailers' customer reviews, but with the understanding that I have NO idea what these 'reviewers' background and experience is with technology. *snort*
- Then I go back and compare some more while taking all of the above into consideration.
- Then I choose and buy.
In other words, I look at my needs and wants then find the correct tech product or gadget that's going to complete me.
Which is how I ended up with Umber and not an iPad. Not that I didn't want an iPad because the big overgrown gadget geek in me wants one, but it wasn't going to complete me. Together, Umber, my Nook, and my iPhone? They complete me. *snort*
So, when I mention, suggest, or review a product, I'm presenting it to you. I'm rarely going to say that you MUST get it. Why? Because I have no earthly idea what it's going to take to complete you. Duh. If I could do that I wouldn't be here.
I'd be on my own island.
In the Caribbean.
With white sands and turquoise waters.
Tweeting.
~Caroline
