Being a savvy consumer has always been important to me. Though it sounds a bit of an oxymoron, being a savvy “green consumer ” is becoming even more so.
I happen to be in the market for a new vacuum cleaner. I can’t believe this but I am still using the one I bought about 18 years ago to coinc
ide with the cream colored sofa and chocolate lab puppy purchase (?!). Despite new upholstery on the sofa, frequent bag changes and the fact that Hershey has been gone for four years, her spirit still emerges every time I turn it on. I now have Shadow, a black lab/australian shepherd mix with a beautiful 
luxurious coat who goes into full attack every time I use the clunky thing, (hmmm?), not to mention my children with seasonal allergies – so I am way overdue for a new one. Thankfully I have hardwood floors and while the carpeting is limited, the fur seems endless.
Recently I had the opportunity to meet with shopping expert and Editor-in-Chief of ConsumerSearch, Christine Frietchen, who was the luncheon keynote speaker at the Type A Mom conference in Asheville a few weeks ago. I wanted to meet with her as follow up to my recent posts surrounding the ways we can shop responsibly and delve into our purchasing decisions a little deeper to try and “green” them as best we can when the product isn’t necessarily green. Here are the insights and tips, I left with.
1. Do you have the complete picture?
ConsumerSearch researches and gathers reviews on product categories from sources all over the web to include Consumer Reports, other national publications, blogs and compares the comments in order to pull together once comprehensive review. It’s like doing a term paper as Christine described. Aside from just collecting the reviews, ConsumerSearch also gathers customer feedback from places like Amazon, Walmart and any other place where a consumer might leave feedback on the product they purchased.
2. Is the review balanced?
A very insightful point she shared was surrounding the product reviews. We have all seen those reviews where every feature is fabulous and ends with an exclamation point! And while a positive product review can be helpful, Christine
believes a more balanced review is more so, not only giving the reviewer credibility but something for the reader to chew on and consider as they evaluate their options. What’s interesting to ConsumerSearch is when the reviews overall are glowing but after the consumer purchases and begins using, issues arise and negative trends in performance clearly begin to come forward in the customer feedback.
3. So…what are the customers saying?
And in terms of greening that non-green item, customer comments become even more critical because if we buy items based on a positive review that do not perform after a while, then we may be left with something that can’t be donated or passed on and subsequently may be trashed. And as we all know word of mouth is the best form of advertising, so learning about what customers are saying is of course, key to our purchasing process.
4. Determine what’s important and ask more questions:
So as I look at my pending purchase, based on the key features I want such as a HEPA filtration for allergen control, bagless to reduce the cost of replacement bags and waste, efficient for picking up pet hair and under $200, I am asking 
these kinds of questions to help me green that non-green item.
- Do I really need it? Is there a pre-owned version I can look for?
- Where was it made. Locally, nationally, overseas?
- How is it packaged? Is there a similar item with less packaging to serve the same purpose?
- What is the company’s commitment to sustainability or work practices? A quick visit to the website should indicated what is being done.
- Is it affordable or within the budget established? Can I justify or am I willing to spend more for better quality and longer lasting results?
- What do the reviews say about the product?
- What are the customer comments and feedback? Is there any indication that the product at hand may have performance issues down the road?
5. Leave your own feedback and comments:
And as the final tip Christine shared was that all of us as responsible, savvy consumers should leave feedback on items we purchase as our experience with a product good, bad or otherwise can be helpful to another. And I believe by taking the few minutes to do so to include the “green” reasons why we bought and like the product, we can help others make the most sound purchasing decisions to keep our world a cleaner, greener place too.
What are your thoughts? And stay-tuned for my final decision on my vacuum purchase. I’ll let you know what the dog thinks!
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hi mom!
An off-the-wall comment but your dog looks SO much like mine! You didn’t by chance get Shadow in SW Washington about 2 1/2 years ago did you?
No – right time frame, but here in NC. She was a rescue, along with 6 other litter mates. My brother ended up getting one of her brothers so she and Buddy get together for play dates all the time. He is brown and speckly like an Aussie but physically, they are identical.