Rate this book

Shoptimism: Why The American Consumer Will Keep On Buying No Matter What (2009)

by Lee Eisenberg(Favorite Author)

3.31 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0743296257 (ISBN13: 9780743296250)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Free Press

review 1: I almost closed Shoptimism after the first few chapters, but I'm glad I stuck with it. This is a pretty generic book on how people shop, looking at various marketing attempts and classifying buyers into different groups. If you want to skip reading the book, you can basically take away the ideas that:1) We don't really know why people buy.2) There are many different types of shoppers.I, however, am completely new to the idea of marketing research, and this broad overview of types of buyers intrigued me. I liked trying to figure out what kind of buyer I am (more of a "romantic" buyer) and it also helped me understand the mindset other "buyers" that I know. I'm also helping out at a family member's independently-owned jewelry store, and found it pretty interesting to think a... morebout the different types of buyers that walked into the shop.Will I read many more books on consumerism? Probably not (unless someone has a really great recommendation. Comment below!) -- this book seems to suggest that we don't know much of anything, so, in light of that, why read another book about it?I am, however, going to learn more about the idea of "cultural capital", which was mentioned briefly in the book and grabbed me. Once again, reading one book leads to many more.Happy shopping, everyone!
review 2: Living the frugal life (yes, my resolution for the New Year, and still going strong) also made me read some books on the subject, and I must say that Lee Eisenberg's approach to the topic was a truly engaging one.Circling the topic from two sides – the Seller's and the Buyer's – the book is chock full with well researched information as well as written in a wonderfully absorbing and fun style. This book provides the reader with a detailed view on consumerism and while not everyone might agree, I personally really appreciated his not-quite-academical writing style, which was both refreshing and welcome even though this is a non-fiction book.E.g. the description of how Eisenberg accompanied and observed how his wife hunts for a new little black dress is both hilarious and a great introduction to the book. And while he didn't quite find the “Unified Theory of Buying” he's been searching for, he sure provides the reader with a lot to think about when it comes to our own buying habits.In short: A hightly entertaining and very informative book on the subject of shopping! less

Download links for: Shoptimism: Why the American Consumer Will Keep on Buying No Matter What

Advertising