We all know that there is a wealth of information on-line ranging from aardvarks to zoology. There are "how to" articles on bar-be-que and vacuums. You can google pretty much anything and get a minimum of a million hits.
But, when a consumer, let's just say it's me for now, is trying to research a product for a potential purchase, where does she start? Let's say I'm trying to buy a washer and dryer. I do a little search on-line.
BAM!
13,800 results.
Thank you, Google.
I'm the kind of person who wants all the facts before I make a major purchase. I want to know what Consumer Reports says about the last 4 generations of the appliance. I want to know which store has the best price out of the 1,000 out there that sell the thing.
Are there any rebates? Any financing offers? Any delivery charges? Any scratch and dent discounts? I need to know before I hand over money.
But at some point I have to draw the line. I have to admit that I can only know so much before I really need to make a decision. I can only make so many spread sheets before the clear winner starts to emerge.
With such a vast body of knowledge available with relative ease, I feel at some level that it's irresponsible of me to not do all the research possible. I feel a burden of guilt if I don't walk out of the store with the absolute best appliance and the absolute best price.
Geez. That's a lot of pressure.
When did an asset turn into a liability?
But y'all, if you do know of a good washer and dryer out there, I'd love to hear about it :)
2 comments:
There's a great book out there on this subject. It's called The Paradox of Choice. :) It talks about those who have to have *all* the info and those who go with "this is one that fits my needs, let's get it". I tend to be the first type, and I found the book really interesting.
I agree, having all the info. stops helping with the decision making process once the amount of information becomes large. Now you have introduced a new problem of info. organization. At least that is why a lot of VC's are frothing and funding the vertical search engine startups. How good are they ;-) beats me. :)
here are a few that are on top of the list..
http://www.dealtime.com/xDN-washer_and_dryer_accessories-~V-rows~PG-17
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=washer+and+dryer&btnG=Search+Froogle
http://www.gigaom.com/2005/03/16/3554/
But overall I agree. It is a no win game esp. with the rate at which information is added online. I think we should either start buying "use once and throw" clothes or stop getting our clothes dirty...
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