MBA404 Consumer Behavior For Decision-Making Assignment 1 Answer

Answer :

Consumer Behavior and Marketing Psychology 

The video provides a brief explanation of my decision-making process. It has discussed my behavioural approach and stimuli during the selection or purchase of the product. The decision-making process mainly includes five stages based on which consumers made their decisions. They are Need Recognition, Information Search, Alternative Evaluation, Purchase Decisions and Post Purchase Evaluation as seen in the below diagram (Schamp et al. 2019): 

In the first stage of customer decision making, the need recognition occurs when there is an imbalance between the desired and actual stimuli of the customer. The need recognition is focused on the issue faced by the customer in their daily lives (Zhang et al. 2018). They want customer recognises the desire that needs to be fulfilled. My poor skin conditions and tissue dehydration is one of the issues I am fed up with. I tried a number of products earlier, and the result was not up to the market. Moreover, my stock for the two skincare products I was using also ended. These two factors worked like a  trigger that has helped me realise that I need to get a good skincare product. 

Step two includes information search after convincing there is a need for a product, which could be applied, for skincare and better skin posture (Karimi et al. 2015). In the process, the customer uses the external source and internal sources for gathering information over their needs and wants (Liu et al. 2018). As per the internal sources, the customer focuses on their memory, to gather information from their experiences. They also focus on the suggestions, advisory and other conversation made by their friends, families and colleagues about the issues of skin and their alternative remedies (Seo et al. 2018). In the case of the external sources, the customers read news articles, online articles, search for solutions in online sources and gather information from adverting, social networking and other external sources (Zhang et al. 2018). The information is focused on finding a solution to the rash skin and skin tissue issues of the body. Based on the information, the decision-making is taken by the customer on approaching towards a specific product or service that could resolve the skin issues (Tien et al. 2019). I have used social media sources and internet sources to find appropriate skincare products. I have also been suggested by my family members the skincare products under Coles would be better for treatment of my skin issues. However, as both Coles and Woolworths supermarkets are close to where I stay, I started searching for offers in both the superstores.  

Information gathering helps in making decisions and also to compare products with similar products (Hafiz and Ali, 2018).  The information can be gathered through internet, social media by visiting official social media pages of the companies, visiting the website of the companies or logging into the mobile application of the companies or through advertisement commercials done by companies (Jan et al. 2019). After gathering relevant information, I become aware of skincare products, which could resolve their issues such as Vaseline. The potential alternatives are narrowed down based on the awareness set. The evoked set includes considered alternatives. I have seen skincare alternatives such as coconut oil, Lanolin, Olive Oil, Vaseline jelly. This is some of the alternatives for skincare. As per the inert set, it introduces the backup alternative of a product does not work on skin line cocoa butter, Shea butter, Tallow (Coles. 2019).  I have created back up alternative Cocoa Butter for my skin if a product purchased by me does not work. I have also figured out inept set includes the solutions which could be avoided as alternatives such as coconut oil, Lanolin, Olive Oil need more amount for applies in the skins. Thus, these products could be avoided by me. From the alternative analysis, I can select the Vaseline Jelly under Coles for applying on the skin to reduce the skin-related issues.    

Alternative evaluation helps to understand the best fit product according to the requirements of a specific customer. I have made purchase decision making for the Vaseline product under Coles. I have seen all the alternatives and believe that Vaseline product is the best fit product for me. I compared the prices, the features, customer reviews as well as ingredients which are used to make the product. Based on this evaluation, I made the decision to buy Vaseline Under Coles. In this stage, the customer looks for alternative purchase methods for the purchase of the Vaseline product. In regards to purchasing a product, there are several methods available such as debit card, credit card, usage of individual income, home loans, lease agreements, after pay methods. For the high amount of purchase such as automobile or property, the loans, and advances, after pay, lease agreements are useful (Bartosik-Purgat 2018). On the other hand, from a small amount purchase the debit cards, credit cards and online payment applications are reliable. Thus, for the purchase of Vaseline customer, I will choose my debit card to purchase Vaseline from the online website of Coles.   

The last stage includes the experience of the customers, which is presented through post-purchase behaviour. In this step, the customer expresses inner tensions through conversations or social media feedback about the inconsistency, inoculates features of the product, or services (Zhang et al. 2018). In relation to mitigating the negative feedback from the customer, the Coles introduces guarantee, warrantee, follow-ups and guideline of usage for the Vaseline product. I have a satisfactory experience after using the Vaseline product. I have saw changes, and my skin is getting better after applying the product. I have commented on the social media page of the Coles about the use and my positive experience of the product.  

The five prime steps of customer purchase decision highlight the five phases a customer goes through while the purchasing of a product or services. The business entities require focusing on the information search, selection of alternative, and following up sage for better detention of the customers.