Have you ever bought something just to feel that sudden rush of post-purchase happiness? According to new research, 66 percent of Americans have bought an item solely to fee the rush of buying something.
The new survey of 2,000 Americans also found that the “rush” you feel after you buy something lasts 28 minutes for the average respondent.
The study, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Slickdeals, found that the average respondent spends an incredible $ 150.84 every month in search of this feeling — and experiences it 12 times in that same timeframe.
Buying clothes was named as the most common purchase for a happiness boost, followed by shoes and computer-related purchases.
But it’s not simply getting something new that excites consumers. In fact, 70 percent of Americans say that the actual act of hunting for a sale or good deal is “thrilling.”
Nearly seven in ten (69 percent) Americans would also go as far as calling hunting for discounted items a “sport.”
And according to the survey, many Americans consider themselves to be pretty skilled shoppers. Three in four Americans actually think of themselves as “experts” when it comes to finding an item discounted.
Josh Meyers, Slickdeals CEO said, “This survey illustrates what we witness with our Slickdeals audience every day. There’s a significant level of excitement and entertainment value around discovering a great deal.”
For many, buying online can almost be more fun than buying in stores.
In fact, 66 percent of Americans polled say they feel excited just knowing something is currently being shipped to them.
Getting our hands on something we’ve had our eye on for a while can be an instant attitude booster — 65 percent of Americans say they are actually nicer to people after they buy something they want.
So what are the items that make us happy?
The research showed that our number one “happy buy” is clothes, with half of the respondents (50 percent) saying they get a rush when they shell out on part of a new ensemble.
Shoes came in a close second with 46 percent saying it gave them a nice jolt of happiness after completing the transaction, and rounding out the top three was a new computer or laptop (40 percent.)
Meyers added, “Getting a great deal isn’t just a rational exercise in stretching the dollar, there’s an element of gamification, where consumers derive pleasure from the thrill of the hunt. By tapping into Slickdeals’ crowdsourced platform, shoppers can not only experience the thrill of a good deal, but also gain validation and purchase confidence that this is something they should be buying thanks to the wisdom of the crowd.”
Top 10 purchases that make us happy
| Clothes | 50% |
| Shoes | 46% |
| Computer/laptop | 40% |
| Electronic Accessories (e.g. headphones) | 35% |
| TV | 34% |
| Accessories/jewelry | 32% |
| Groceries | 30% |
| Vacations | 28% |
| Video games | 28% |
| Kitchen supplies | 26% |