Final answer:
After evaluating alternatives, a consumer must decide from whom to buy and when to buy. These choices are influenced by the degree of imperfect information about the product. An example is choosing between buying apples with low imperfect information or a used laptop with high imperfect information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Once a consumer has completed the alternative evaluation stage of the consumer purchase decision process, the two choices that remain are: C) from whom to buy and when to buy. This stage involves making the final decision about which retailer or vendor to purchase from and determining the timing of the purchase. This is a critical point in the decision-making process where factors such as price, convenience, service, and availability come into play.
Every purchase is based on the belief about the satisfaction that the good or service will provide. The degree of imperfect information can impact this decision. For example:
- Buying apples at a roadside stand might involve relatively low imperfect information because you can visually inspect the apples.
- For buying dinner at a local restaurant, the imperfect information can also be relatively low because of familiarity with the establishment.
- However, buying a used laptop computer at a garage sale might have a high level of imperfect information due to unknown factors about the computer's condition.
- Similarly, ordering flowers over the internet for a distant friend might involve high imperfect information because you can't see the actual flowers being sent.
Understanding these elements can help consumers mitigate the risk of regretting a purchase or avoiding a purchase due to imperfect information.