What makes you buy things in SL?

I had a thread about freebies and hunt items. But I buy stuff in SL too. So I thought I should start a new topic – “What makes you buy things in SL?” I know there’s an “Advice on sales” thread, but it looks like there’s mostly content creators posting there. I am only a consumer in SL.

Let’s only talk about full prized items, not freebies, hunt items, dollarbies, cheapies, and sales. It is said many times that avatars, especially females, can look good in SL without spending money at all.

So I have a 20K + inventory bursting with stuff, but I still buy things. Why? I am looking for special things, small details and versatility.

#1: The 200 L jeans shorts. I saw this because of the unusual length, to the knee. I thought it looked interesting, but it was way too much for 1 piece of clothing. I saw it came with a belt, and clicked “buy”once to inspect the contents. Because I started to think that I really didn’t have any good white belts. In the pack weren’t 1 belt but 2 – one with loops. Ka-ching – press “buy”again. Because I saw how I could use that belt with loops with all my blue jeans. And I did. I’ve worn those belts and shorts a lot, and the quality is fantastic. The prim legs are so well made that I can’t tell where they meet the system pants.

I don’t like to buy things if the vendor doesn’t show me the contents. In this case, if I didn’t see that it was 2 belts, I wouldn’t buy it. Text on the vendors is often hard to read.

#2: The gowns I buy. I have lots and lots of free and cheap gowns. Many have very good quality. I can wear a new, almost free gown every day if I want to. The gown I bought last; came with the prettiest sleeves I’ve seen, and I could choose between 3 different skirts or a pack of all 3 to a reduced prize. It had flower accessories like a wreath (with 3 different attach points), flower belt, and wildflower corsages. I bought it because I thought how I could use the corsages on every other summer dress. So I look for unusual gowns. Show me a gown with the usual “princess cut” bodice and ball skirt and I’ll yawn no matter how good it looks.

Same with most of the other full prized items. I am spoiled from the freebies, and want to get something special.

#3: Skins and hair. The latest skin pack I bought has painted on hairbase. That made me buy hairs that are pulled away from the face. I’ve avoided hair without bangs before hairbases, I didn’t like how the hair was “planted” in the head. Up until recently, it was only dark-haired hairbases. I’ll most likely buy a skin with blond hairbase next.

#4: Shoes and boots. Give me more options and you catch my interest. The prim feet with sandals are coming in many versions. I bought those who didn’t only have straps around the ankle, but also lace. 2 different looks for the prize of one. The last boots I bought had 2 different heights, but also a jeans cuffs version for both heights. It’s only one attachment point on the lower leg, and this gives me 4 versions of the boots.

Quality.

Quality at a fair price..
high priced doesn't mean it's the best..i love shopping around...
and if it's out there i'll find it lol

quality
need
and sometime impulse shopping

Fun, Goofy, and Creative

Bought a puppet theatre set from somewhere in Inner Child. This thing is an absolute blast to play with. Alas, I can't recall off-hand who made it.

Appreciation for the Art

I have a ton of womens' clothes that will never get worn. I bought these clothing items because I can appreciate the time and effort that went into making them. It's my way showing support for the unsung guys and gals that have some excellant talent but are on the side-lines of marketing.

In the same vein, I bought quite a few Grendel avatars that I'll never unbox. Again, to show support.

" What makes you buy things in SL? "

The Debil.

Usually when my hand twitches on my mouse. And before I know it, I've bought something......again.

"Oh hey, I want that. Oh looky it's not expensive." *ka-ching*

I rarely make impulse buys. I go and buy things which I feel I need, or want.
I make most of my own clothes - when I do shop for clothes I check out freebies first.
I have been getting some new dance animations recently - they've cost me a bit!

Quality and original creations.
I wont buy a copycat item

I don't buy a lot - I make a lot of different things but some things I see are so creative - who said above that they buy in appreciation of the art is right on the money. Making stuff is hard work! I get a giggle out of the ocassional post from someone fresh off the island, "How do I make stuff?" Been at it for the past year or so actively making 'stuff' and it isn't any easier. Yes, I suppose there are the rare individuals that fresh into creating come up with masterpieces- but it is doubtful you trip over them every day.

Detail, originality - that sense of magic - it can be in anything really - from knick knacks to clothing - Price if you really think abut it is somewhat irrelevant. At less than $5.00 USD per 1000 Linden- the OP's $200 L shorts cost all of $.93. Grant you, dollars do pile up and after a few months we all are pretty heavily invested financially - but when u consider the hours of labor that goes into making things, the cost is minimal indeed.

*when the owner is around the shop..(j/k)
*when a nice sub-con item is cheaper in the other store
*when its nicely made
*when its an eye candy to me
*and particularly in hair, i would buy when it fits right or its modifiable
*i wouldnt mind buying expensive items as long as its high quality and unique

i dont buy pack items anymore i only pick what i would need cuz i get tired wearing and seing same design over and over

Oooh! Where did you find those?

And I agree...I won't buy something unless I can see the contents.

Human Clothes:
I buy when the ensemble looks subtle and artistic, and when there is just the right amount of photo sourcing vs. hand drawing. Too much photo spoils it but a little helps. I like complete outfits that look a bit out of the ordinary and that are modeled by an avatar that has reasonable proportions.

Novelty Avatars:
I need no arm twisting to buy these.

Vehicles:
I prefer original vehicles. I have no desire to fly around in the Enterprise. Show me YOUR creativity.

Dances:
Anything that doesn't make me look too dorky. I've never entirely succeeded in this.

Oh good question~

I look for unique, creative items whether it's a building or a piece of clothing. I look for realism in certain things.....hair....shoes.....jewelery. Impulse buys for me happen when I see somehting that has RL impact....for example when I was setting up my island I designed with my parents in my mind......my mom for her art....my dad for his love of the sea. When I was shopping in one funky little store I happened to see these grape string lights......they were a MUST have because IRL our cottage on Martha's Vineyard is called The Bunch. (everyone names their gingerbread cottages.....and my dad and step-mom named ours The Bunch because between them they had 7 kids!) So....grapes have been a symbolic element for me since I was a teenager. I HAD to have those grape lights on the beach shack!

Then, often times I have a spacific idea of what I want and I will hunt it down.....like my rocking chair at the shack....it's similar to what we have on the porch of The Bunch. And then I found windchimes with sound....another happy accident......and yup, The Bunch always has windchimes......and to this day I love the sound of them!

So often what I buy has a strong connection to things that are significant to me IRL.

When started doing skins....I really wanted to create things that I didn't see on the grid. There's only so much we can do with the basic template......but so many of the skins I have (and I have mucho lol) are all done with the same consistancy.....same lips...different eyes......same eye, different lip colors.....same same same. Details are all the same.....so my frustration with 'buying' what I want......leads to 'creating' what I want if I can't find it on the map.

But....I have such admiration for the creators in SL....for the work people put into things.....for the originality......I like to support my fellow artist. I think the whole experience is a delight. If I see clothes that are really unique and detailed, I'll buy on impulse...but I do maintain a certain L' limit. My reasoning is this......it may have taken 7 hours or even a week to perfect a certain design/build......but once it's done.....it's done. The money gets made over over and over on the same original item (not like RL!) so.....I just don't see paying 10,000L for a house......or 8,000 for a set of skins! Yeah, I KNOW the work that was put in......but the work only gets put in ONCE. There's no manufacturing overhead.......there's no distribution cost........the only thing we pay for is ad fees and land tier.....So, I simply will not buy those things that are outrageously priced, no matter HOW much I admire the work.

Almost all of my buys are impulse buys - I seldom ever actually go looking for stuff. I will pop into a store to check a freebie or a sale and start looking at other stuff that grabs my eye -- before you know it, I am buying things left and right. And with an inventory around 80k and almost all of that clothing, you can bet that I do not *need* anything new. My buying is all based on what I see that I like and feel does not cost too much for what I am getting.

want- impulse.

Late reply, sorry
I was out all day in RL... May weather on it's best!

I bought it in Coco. Dangerous shop. http://cocorolemon.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-release-knee-length-denim.html

I convince myself I 'need' a new skin for a party, photoshoot, fashion show, to match a new hair...

I convince myself I 'need' a new hair for a party, photoshoot, fashion show, to match a new skin...

I convince myself I 'need' new shoes to match a new dress I made for a party, photoshoot or a fashion show...

I convince myself I 'need' new jewelry to match a new dress or new shoes...

so far I'm ahead of the game since I rarely worry about matching shoes to my skins or hairs