As I add yet another item to my virtual shopping cart, I realised something a tad bit too late. All my purchases over the Internet has always been driven by "Why not?" instead of wants, much less needs.
It's really bad. I could be adding a leather dress to my cart when it isn't even my style.
Do I have a problem? Well, maybe.
But then again, with the massive amount of goods that can be easily ordered over the bits and bytes - that know our online behaviour so well - it's kind of hard to resist any "Why not?" that pops up in my head as I get sidetracked while searching for a product I wish to buy.
This may sound similar to point-of-purchase displays in retail marketing, in which strategies in stores attempt to influence purchase decisions at the last minute for shoppers ready to pay for their items. Typically, this is done in your brick and mortars for areas near the cashier. Remember on those display shelves beside the counter, those $2 chocolate bars selling at $3 for 2 that you bought because "why not"? Damn. I know I did. I always fall for marketing tricks. *facepalms*
Well, in a way, it's way worse when you shop online (special shoutout: curse you Taobao! *coughs*). These surprise attacks don't only get launched on you as you approach the cashier - or in this case, the checkout button I suppose? THEY RAID YOU EVERYWHERE.
With every click, the e-commerce trash follows you, ready to pounce any second. All their "suggested for you", "items we know you would like *smirk face*", "trending items", "suggested search options" section hanging on the sidebars, sitting at the bottom of the page, etc.
Ahhh, these algorithms. They think they are so clever. Okay, um, I guess they are. Eh, not discrediting anyone here.
Between you and me, I am actually really delighted with Taobao's recommendation system. On their mobile app's home screen, they always make FANTASTIC suggestions to me, especially when they step on their own feet recommending items I have already saved, but sold by another seller at a way cheaper price (lmao).
But who is suffering at the end of the day?
No, definitely not just me. It would be unjust to put myself forward as the mere victim of this mess. My heart is simply collateral damage in situations like this.
You know who the biggest victim is? MY WALLET. Rumour has it that it has been weeping since I learned what online shopping it :'(
This is kinda a weird thing for me to talk about actually. Being someone who yawns within seconds of stepping into a fashion retail store, I don't know why I get caught up with Taobao so easily (other than it being significantly cheaper and I don't actually see my money going away physically when shopping online haha). It's a vicious cycle - I buy something, that something arrives, then I go back to the platform to look for more... rinse and repeat. Not even getting shitty products can stop me from going back.
Sigh.
Cheers to my wallet for braving all my stormy "Why not?" all these times. You have been a survivor, you adorable little Gryffindor.
...and here's to hoping that the leather dress fits when it arrives. Hah.
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Why am I writing about online shopping at midnight? I have no idea man, I do things on a whim. I came here to complain about my bad habit shopping on the Internet but it turned into a full-length blog post lol. I'm so sleepy now and yes, I know I'm wasting my time but at the same time I'm pretty proud I finally made a proper post on this blog!
It has been a long time since I last typed so much about shits. Feels great :)
