In Chapter 4 we looked at a number of models from a marketer’s point of view. Now let’s
examine them from the consumer’s perspective. The traditional view of consumer decision making, which is similar to the more classic AIDA-based models of message impact, is based on a
linear, information-processing approach. It suggests that most people follow a decision process
with fairly predictable steps: (1) need recognition, (2) information search, (3) evaluation of alternatives, (4) purchase decision, and (5) post-purchase evaluation.
• Need recognition can vary in terms of seriousness or importance. The goal of advertising at
this stage is to activate or stimulate this need.
• Information search can be casual (reading ads and articles that happen to catch your attention) or formal (searching for information in publications such as Consumer Reports). Advertising helps the search process by providing information that is easy to find and
remember. For low-involvement products this stage may not occupy much time or thought
or it may be skipped altogether. Another way to describe consumer behavior in terms of information needs includes such terms as searchers and impulse buyers.Searchers are driven
by a need to know everything they can about a product before making a purchase, particularly major purchases. In contrast, people who buy on impulse generally do so without much
thought based on some immediate desire such as thirst or hunger. Usually there’s not much
at stake, so the risk of making a bad decision is much lower. It is true, however, that even
major purchases, such as cars, can be made on the spur of the moment by people who are
not dedicated searchers for information.
• Evaluation of alternativesis the stage where consumers compare various products and features and reduce the list of options to a manageable number. They select certain features that
are important and use them to judge alternatives. Advertising is important in this evaluation
process because it helps sort out products on the basis of tangible and intangible features.
Even with low-involvement products, there may be what we call an evoked setof brands
that are all considered permissible. What are your favorite candy bars? The brands you name
makes up your evoked set.
• Purchase decisionis often a two-part decision. Usually, we select the brand first and then
select the outlet from which to buy it. Is this product available at a grocery store, a discount
store, a hardware store, a boutique, a department store, or a specialty
store? Sometimes we select the outlet first, particularly with impulse
purchases. In-store promotions such as packaging, point-of-purchase
displays,price reductions, banners and signs, and coupon displays affect these choices.
• Post-purchase evaluationis the last step in the rational process. As
soon as we purchase a product, particularly a major one, we begin to
reevaluate our decision. Is the product what we expected? Is its performance satisfactory? This experience determines whether we will keep
the product, return it, or refuse to buy it again. We referred to cognitive
dissonance in the discussion of satisfaction and this is also an important factor in the post-purchase evaluation step. Many consumers continue to read information even after the purchase, to justify the
decision to themselves. Guarantees, warranties, and easy returns are
also important for reducing the fear of a purchase that goes wrong.