Final answer:
Personal selling is the promotional mix element most tailored to the buyer's needs, providing direct and customized communication during key stages of the consumer buying process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The element of the promotional mix that is most customized to the needs of the buyer and is used during the stages of information seeking, evaluation of alternatives, and purchase decision in the consumer buying process is personal selling. Personal selling involves direct interactions between a salesperson and a customer, allowing for customized communication. This method can address the customer's specific needs, concerns, and questions, which makes it highly effective during the stages of the buying process that involve personal judgment and decision-making.