CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
MANAGEMENT 3210Y
Personal Consumption Journal Assignment
Assignment
We are all consumers and there is no better way to begin to understand why others purchase things than to become aware of the influences on one's own buying behaviour. During the first month of the course you are required to keep a journal of your own purchasing decisions and hand in a short (4-5 page) summary of the decisions made and insights gained from them.
The paper is due
. Late papers will be deducted 33% per day that they are late.
The assignment is worth 10% of the final grade.
Goals
There are three goals to keeping the journal
1.
To reinforce concepts learned in class through an analysis of real world behaviour
2.
To understand and heighten your awareness of the influences behind your own purchasing behaviour
3.
To provide insights on how to be a knowledgeable consumer and effective marketer by assessing your own purchasing patterns.
Format
You may follow any format for recording your purchases you wish, but at a minimum it should include:

Description of product or services purchased.

Date of purchase:

Place of purchase:

Brand Name: (for each item)

Price: (for each item)

Reason for purchase

Thoughts and feelings associated with the purchase/or while shopping.

Other Descriptive Information:
Types of questions you may want to ask yourself might include:

Why did I buy a particular product instead of a competing one?

Did any advertising or promotion influence me?

Why did I buy from this particular vendor?

What were the cultural, family, peer, lifestyle, situational, and personality influences that led me to this purchase?

Was the packaging an influence?

What were my feelings during the purchase?

Did the method of payment have an influence on my buying decision?
You should make a minimum of 3 entries per week. In addition to purchases made at stores or online don't forget ongoing purchases such as cable, telephone, power etc.
The paper
The paper should analyse at least five of your purchases during this period, and the influences that led you to their purchase in relation to consumer behaviour concepts presented in class and in the text. You should note any patterns in your buying behaviour and also consider the implications as to how knowledge of your buying behaviour could be useful to marketers. The paper should include an introduction and concluding or summary statement. Format should be
4-5 pages double-spaced. Cover pages are OK but please no binders or folders.

Personal Consumption Journal Assignment