Do you do your own research to make (big) decisions, and often use online searches?

Paco Dennis

Paco Dennis

SF VIP
Location
Mid-Missouri
This is how different it is now to find and get answers to our needs. "Where have all the experts gone....long time passing." 🎵

"When it comes to where Americans place their trust as they gather information before making an important decision, a big majority (81%) say they rely a lot on their own research – many more than say they rely a lot on friends and family (43%) or professional experts (31%), according to a 2018 Pew Research Center survey. Some 15% also say they rely on their own research “a little” as they make major decisions."

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-ta...cisions-and-that-often-means-online-searches/

I do most of the research online for our most important decisions and even when buying something new. It is all online. No wonder there is no middle class. There are no Mom and Pop stores left. There are no handy hardware stores. Whew.....what a different world. :eek:
 

I mostly use internet to search for maps/locations.

Have to keep an eye on what hubby looks at.
He falls for some of the ads, ex. was hearing aid ad.
He asked me to order knee braces he saw online.
Those happened to be 'on sale ' the day I ordered them.
He does wear them.

In fact if he hadn't had one on there would have a worst cut on his leg from the power saw. :eek: :cry:
 
Definitely mostly my own research. I rely on the online information a lot, being careful about what I believe. But I also ask family and friends for advice at times. Basically, I think this is an improvement over the "good old days."

Of course, it partly depends on what kind of decisions. Finding a good doctor to do your surgery is very different from finding out which online seller offers the best price for something youo want to buy. Buying a car? Who knows? We probably all collect information from all sources.
 

I usually rely on my own judgment, but sometimes do research.
But there's no amount of research on some things that I'd feel confident without asking knowledgeable family members for input. Computers and cars are in that category.
 
I research health issues, literature and stuff I don't know about but take whatever I read with a grain of salt. I would rather talk to other people than use the internet for advice regarding important decisions and of course I trust my own gut feelings about such things.
 

Do you do your own research to make (big) decisions, and often use online searches?​


  • Key word for me is "Big" - I don't have any big decisions to make right now .... thankfully
  • If in doubt about something, I will always look to many sources for answers. Trusting these days is hard when you don't know what is behind someone's words and motives/opinions.
 
My latest "big decision" was what router table to get. The one I decided on got mostly great reviews on Amazon, yet it's a piece of %$#@!. I've had that experience with a few other items. I'm having to make some modifications to it (a brand new piece of equipment) in order to make it usable. WTF?

Yeah, yeah, I could have returned it, but I'm working on a project and needed a router table. I can make it work, but why not design it so it's not such a piece of %$#@!? Doing so might add five dollars to the manufacturing cost. Sheesh.
 
I love doing research. Yes, nowadays the Internet helps me find information for purchases and decisions.

In the past, I consulted car buying guides, library books, and so on.

When those didn't have the information I wanted, I might ask a human. But to me that's like flipping a coin. (Usually.)
 
Yesterday I made an appointment with a new vet. I researched a new vet hospital (after finding out the place closest to me was not taking new clients right now) and literally 1/2 of the reviews were negative. There was a post that a certain vet in question was not there anymore. Some of the reviews stated bad staff attitude and unnecessary procedures/costs. I can take one or two bad reviews, in fact expect it, but this was too much.

I called the place my stepfather has been going to and they took me but can't get in until early next month.
 
So, they "took you?" And you can't get in until early next month?

Does that mean you (the adorable looking cat in the picture) wrote that post? If so, I am really impressed! And I hope Remy gives you lots of delicious kitty treats until next month. 😁
 
Yes, yes.....everyday....I research online for everything from medical, health, food, finance and many purchases. I recently bought a new car, now that was a biggy, from make, model, reviews, price and dealership, kept me busy for weeks Of course you learn to weed out the sketchy sites and info but there is a world of information out there....it is amazing.
 
Consumer Reports is worth its weight in gold.

And I always check out the online reviews of products if I'm buying even something small from, say, Amazon, Kohl's or any other online retailer.
 

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