TheGirlsLife
Most of us have been there, eagerly tracking a package from when it’s shipped until it arrives at your door. You open the package, try out your item, and it’s just a little…lackluster. Whether you splurged on something you figured out wasn’t worth it a little too late or impulsively bought something just because everyone on TikTok was wearing it, you’ve felt buyer’s remorse before.
When life inevitably happens, and a 30-day return window closes without you realizing it, beating yourself up for buying something you don’t want (or need) is an unnecessary punishment. Instead, the best strategy is figuring out why you’re having buyer’s remorse and using that intel to avoid it in the future. What if I told you I have a system to prevent it altogether?
To put it simply, I’ve stopped regretting my purchases because I follow strict guidelines when it comes to making them. I put a lot of thought and research into an item before I purchase it, including if it’s going to be a long-lasting item I’ll want to wear long into the future. I’ve cracked the code to avoid buyer’s remorse altogether—here’s how to eliminate it for good in 2024, too.
1. Do your research
Bring your notepad and pen; it’s time to get to work. An easy way to avoid buyer’s remorse is to research the product you’re considering before buying it. Starting with reading reviews is a significant first step, but I also take my research to the next level. After reading reviews on the website—or multiple if it’s sold at various retailers—I like to search the piece on TikTok to see if I can find any in-depth reviews. I’ll also look at the brand’s tagged photos on Instagram to see if I can see the product in the wild. I’ll probably like it if it has consistently good reviews; if it doesn’t, I’ll reconsider.
I also like to look at the composition of the product. Am I paying for a polyester blend or cashmere? If the piece is made of high-quality materials, it will last longer and likely look better in person. If you’re sensitive to specific materials, this step is crucial.
2. Check pieces out in-store
If your online research delivers inconclusive results, it’s time to take your investigation to the field. If possible, seeing a piece in person before you buy it gives you a huge advantage. How often do you order something online, feel on the fence about it, and then not return it because of the effort it takes? If you see a piece in person first, you can see how it looks on your body—not just on the model—and get a feel for it if you love it. It’ll also allow you to try on multiple sizes to see which fits you best.
3. Walk away from your cart
Impulse purchases are a gateway ticket to feeling buyer’s remorse. Before you click that “Add to Cart” button or reach for or input your credit card information, close your window and let your cart sit for a while (I recommend a total of 24 hours at the very least, but I like to wait around a week). If you’re still thinking about it, then you can revisit the idea of purchasing it. Yes, sometimes this gives pieces I have an eye on the chance to sell out, but I often care less than I thought I would, which confirms I shouldn’t have purchased the piece in the first place.
4. Crunch the numbers
If the item you’re considering buying is pricier, consider the cost-per-wear you’ll get out of it. Think about how often you’ll wear it. Is it a belt you’ll wear every day or a special-occasion dress you’ll only wear a couple of times a year? If your cost-per-wear is lower, it adds to your list of pros when considering purchasing.
5. Make a savings goal
Intentionally setting money aside is extremely rewarding, no matter how expensive (or inexpensive) the item is. Not only does it mean you avoided making an impulse purchase, but you made a financially conscious decision that you won’t feel like you could afford later on.
