Personal Narrative: The Conscious Shopper

The Conscious Shopper

“It works just as good as the name brand,” my mother would always suggest. As I have matured, I regret to admit that, in most instances, my mother’s notion was right. Consequently, those very words describe my shopping nature. When I think of what kind of shopper I am and how I have developed my shopping habits, there are three factors that are responsible for my consumer behavior. Those factors include my childhood shopping experiences, my knowledge of advertising and marketing, and my persona.
Growing up in a single parent household of four, my mother has always found inventive ways to save, multiply, and spend less money. She would always buy items in bulk; and if she could get eight packs of value pencils for the
As a result, I value the quality of a product rather than its brand or price. I compare ingredients, read consumer reviews, and partake in free trials to see if I like a product. I invest time in shopping, because I like to choose the best product for me. This carefulness has both helped me to see, that in many instances, value products contain many of the ingredients as brand name products; and that sometimes, you just have to pay more money for the better product. This knowledge has made me a cognizant shopper, rather than a brand shopper. I’m more selective of what I buy and how well it compares to the other
I am a very detailed, neat and organized individual. I believe in planned shopping. I never go shopping without a list. This helps me budget, and remember what items to get. Additionally, I like both consignment and high-end stores, so I never seclude myself to a select number of stores or brand. Therefore, I don’t particularly advocate brands, because I find favor in all brands! From Samsung, to Nike, to Wal-Mart’s Great Value, I like and own a piece of everything. I can shop almost anywhere and find something