TheConsumer Decision Processwill be outlined, explored and exemplified.Based on the readings (from the course text, the area of resources marked"start here" and theLearning Resource list), complete the questions below.Utilize headings to organize your responses.Research outside sources, cite within your text answer and then fully cite the source at the bottom of your response.

TOPIC 1:

Let's explore what the Consumer Decision Process is by examining a recent purchase that you have made.This should be a purchase that involved (in some detail) each of the five stages.This means it's a past purchase (because you need to reflect on the last stage; Postpurchase).Organize this part of your post using these specific headings:

a) Problem Recognition

b) Information Search

c) Alternative Evaluation

d) Purchase

e) Postpurchase

Within each heading take us through this single purchase experience.USE CONCEPTS from the readings (placing the concepts in bold), to describe some of your observations.Here are some required concepts that should be used for each of the above:

Problem Recognition:What is theDesired State?What is theActual State?(use brands to describe these states).Identify the major motive/need that is underlying this purchase.

Information Search:Did you conductInternal Search?External Search? or both?Identify and give examples of the type of search to support.

Alternative Evaluation:What evaluative criteria for the purchase did you identify?Was there a difference betweenSalientandDeterminantattributes?What brands existed in yourEvoked Set?

Purchase: In the readings there were considerations and influences for the purchase stage.Identify the ones that influenced your choice of how to buy the product.More specifically, identify thePurchase Risks(barriers) that may have been faced just before purchase.Purchase Riskscan be Functional, Financial(price), Social, Psychological, Temporal or Linked Decision.

Postpurchase:Are you satisfied?Ideally, theActual StateandDesired Stateput forth in Problem Recognition should come together (hope becomes reality).In other words, did this purchase solve all your needs AND did the product/brand live up to it's promises.Last, did you suffer anyCognitive Dissonance (Buyer's Remorse)?

TOPIC 2:Identify the LEVEL ofInvolvementfrom the purchase explored above.Also identify theProblem Solving Method.Was itExtended, LimitedorRoutine(support and explain why)? Explain (in detail) why you advocate that specific level.(Hint: take a look at the Matrix in WEEK 4 Content).

Be sure to organize your post using the topic numbers above that correspond to each question.Use paragraph form to respond unless otherwise indicated.Please respond to all Topics in one main thread.Be sure to organize your post.Do not repeat brands used by peers already posted in conference.Usage of end/foot noting is required within the text of the post responses.Cite the sources (in total) at the bottom of the discussion responses.Also part of the discussion rubric is that each student must comment and post to two other peer posts during the week.Support with end notes/citations and include references at the bottom of the post.