A study conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Fakespot found that the average American wastes about $70,000 on purchases they didn’t like in their lifetime. The survey of 2000 Americans shows that they spend about $899 each year on items that disappointed them.
When asked about the items they regret buying the most, the study participants mentioned children’s things (25%), technology (27%), and clothing (60%). Most of them made complaints about the products’ color (31%), size (46%), and quality (64%).
Americans use reviews to decide on buying a product
The researchers found that the respondents paid more attention to reviews, focusing on negative reviews than good ones (51%). About 2 in 3 needed a minimum of 20 good reviews before they could purchase the product.
The participants also added their reviews nearly four times each month. About 54% thought it was a duty to leave a review. About 2 in 3 respondents preferred reviews that came with pictures to reviews consisting of only texts. Approximately 55% said people leaving a review or image of a product should receive a reward.
According to Saoud Khalifah, the CEO of Fakespot, despite their trust in reviews, people sometimes chose not to read them. Consumers showed concern for the authenticity of the reviews hence often wanted to try the product out personally. Others just felt that the deal was too good to pass on.
Most Americans don’t know returned products go to landfills
After making a disappointing purchase, approximately 56% returned the goods. However, 29% preferred to give them away while 30% threw them away. About 3 in 5 of the respondents thought that companies resold returned items. Only 28% knew that these things would most likely go to landfills.
The researchers also tested the respondent’s knowledge on the effect returning items had on the environment. They discovered that 2 in 5 were aware that returns raised carbon emissions. Americans made about 314 returns in their lives.
Khalifah adds that most people aren’t aware of the effect returns could have on the environment. If consumers can find a way of knowing which reviews, products, and sellers to trust, they will make better purchases and avoid returning objects, hence protecting the environment.
