3 ms·

I wonder if this might be a paradox of choice phenomenon as much as it is a feeling-at-home phenomenon. In the store, people are confronted with 20 choices, wi

by BrianHV 17y ago

I wonder if this might be a paradox of choice phenomenon as much as it is a feeling-at-home phenomenon. In the store, people are confronted with 20 choices, with a variety of technical numbers that sound important and little obvious visual difference among the sets. They might feel compelled to do more research to make the right choice, or not want to choose at all. In the home, they only have to choose between "This is an experience I would pay for" and "I'd prefer to keep my money."

krmmalik 17y ago
Yes, that is it. That is exactly what was going on. You hit the nail on the head.
- pbhjpbhj 17y ago
  So to sell more TVs have less choice?
  - krmmalik 17y ago
    Pretty much!
    - pbhjpbhj 17y ago
      Yet all the major retailers have a store with dozens of different sets to choose from?!
nickpleis 17y ago
I think it's exactly that. I just bought a TV, and being a technical guy it was an incredibly difficult decision. 120hz or 240? LED or standard back-light? Is a name-brand REALLY better than a vizio? The thing is, the difference between the low-end and the high-end isn't nearly as pronounced as it used to be. When it came down to it I was only sure that I didn't want a 60hz TV. I literally waffled between three different sets before I sort of blindly chose one. I love my choice (a lower-end Sony Bravia that was deeply discounted), but it was still way more difficult than it should have been. There is something about staring at 50 TV's on a wall and trying to choose the 'best' one for you that is almost paralyzing.
- dagw 17y ago
  I effectively solved this (and many similar problems) by moving in with my girlfriend, who is an architect. I made a list of all the TVs that had the specs I wanted, she made a list of all the TVs that lived up to her aesthetic standards. We then bought the only TV that appeared on both of our lists. edit: Or to put slightly more seriously. I've found that it is much easier to narrow down my choices in cases like this if I make an effort to look beyond the spec sheets and focus on more fluffy aspects like, aesthetic appeal, design and how it will look together with the rest of my furniture

by BrianHV 17y ago

krmmalik 17y ago

Yes, that is it. That is exactly what was going on. You hit the nail on the head.

pbhjpbhj 17y ago
So to sell more TVs have less choice?
- krmmalik 17y ago
  Pretty much!
  - pbhjpbhj 17y ago
    Yet all the major retailers have a store with dozens of different sets to choose from?!

nickpleis 17y ago

I think it's exactly that. I just bought a TV, and being a technical guy it was an incredibly difficult decision. 120hz or 240? LED or standard back-light? Is a name-brand REALLY better than a vizio? The thing is, the difference between the low-end and the high-end isn't nearly as pronounced as it used to be. When it came down to it I was only sure that I didn't want a 60hz TV. I literally waffled between three different sets before I sort of blindly chose one. I love my choice (a lower-end Sony Bravia that was deeply discounted), but it was still way more difficult than it should have been. There is something about staring at 50 TV's on a wall and trying to choose the 'best' one for you that is almost paralyzing.

dagw 17y ago
I effectively solved this (and many similar problems) by moving in with my girlfriend, who is an architect. I made a list of all the TVs that had the specs I wanted, she made a list of all the TVs that lived up to her aesthetic standards. We then bought the only TV that appeared on both of our lists. edit: Or to put slightly more seriously. I've found that it is much easier to narrow down my choices in cases like this if I make an effort to look beyond the spec sheets and focus on more fluffy aspects like, aesthetic appeal, design and how it will look together with the rest of my furniture