Why?

[chip]

Why do you and your family decide to buy a particular product?

What is it that drives you?

Chip

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[Cami A]

Doing some research, chip?

How big of a purchase are you assuming? Candy bar or car?

[chip]

Yes.

I am trying to get a better idea as to what it is that makes us decide what and when to buy.

I have my ideas, as all of you know, they are a bit off center. So I thought who better to ask, than a bunch of trusted advisors such as yourselves.

Chip

[JC]

Easy..my wife watches something on TV or gets an idea from somewhere and tells me what I need to buy...(eh...supposedly asked me..but I am not allowed to disagree) same thing.
Color,style etc...is all up to her basically.


I do have a say so when it comes to cars...as long as they are small and have a pretty color they are winners.

It sure is hard to find good solid small pretty cars these days..they design them for women and then make them disposable..why is that. Why can't they just make a Caprice Classic small and pretty? Try to get 200,000 miles out of a Cavaliar! or a Neon!

[Cami A]

I've heard the claim that 95% of all buying decisions are made by women. (I've suggested before that the 5% left is comprised of tools, lawnmowers, and cars...but don't think that women don't have an opinion on the vehicles they drive...)

If you want, I could give you a process, but you would need to tell me an actual item. Too many choices while picking out everything for the house...

[flatfloor]

In all seriousness billions of dollars are spent trying to find the answer to your question. It's the holy grail of market research.

[JC]

Cami that sounds about right...Perhaps computers could be added to the list.

[flatfloor]

Yes, but what triggers your wife to want that doohickey? What color, what shape, The real trick is to know what the consumer will want next year, not now, now is too late. Ceramic floors are hot..hot..now, but how about next year?

[Cami A]

Computers? I'll give the guys the edge on that one. (not in my house, of course... ;))

Predicting flooring trends? I'm no Faith Popcorn (http://www.faithpopcorn.com/trends/trends.htm), but I predict cork will make a brief comeback in the next year or two. (No, chip, not as an underlayment...as the actual flooring itself...sorry!) Won't displace tile, though. :D

There are several homebuilders that answer questions in a similar BB format (http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/build/), and one of them said that the questions posted on wants/needs/new technology were a great source of info on coming trends.

[JC]

Cork..i'll buy that.

That was an interesting site...indeed.

[John Bridge]

Clay tiles are immortal.

So are mud men. ;)

[chip]

Actually I was hoping for the tile guys & gals, to help with what it is that make them buy?

Input from JC's wife and Cami would be helpfull as well.

What is it?

Chip

[dian57]

Chip--you're asking a question with no answer. Depends on the woman's taste, budget, tolerance for adventure and mood. Is she a planner who will research the project for the best product for the application? Does she tend to go for what's stylish at the moment and not consider the long-term effects of that decision? Does she know or care how much work, money and effort go into a project before choosing one tile over another?

Women do not think like men, good luck finding an answer that satisfies you.

[Cami A]

"Women do not think like men"

And you'll never notice it so much as when you remodel or build a house.... :D

I cannot describe the structure of well....anything...so that Jack can understand it. I have to rely on drawings to communicate, and they have to have measurements. I can't say "a shallow arch", I have to use rise and run. At least the waitresses know what I'm talking about.

Mars and Venus....

As for buying, I research things like appliances, look at decorating magazines for styles, and read reviews at online forums for many products and applications. If I'm buying it in the store, it has to "feel" right. (Stove knobs should turn smoothly, cabinet doors need to be solid and heavy. I once turned down a great deal on a Caveliar(sp?) because the steering wheel felt like a Barbie 'vette.) If it's an Internet purchase, I need a decent size pic, a clear description with sizes and a downloadable spec sheet for Jack if it's something that needs to be installed. If I can get a small sample of fabric, tile, cork, whatever for free ('cause I'm cheap and change my mind frequently), so much the better. Samples I do keep, so there had better be a website and phone # on 'em.