In response to Dillion's post...

Do you or have you ever stereo typed someone because of something that they were wearing?

The article in which Dillion read on brand names and how they can lead to stereotypes is something that has grown into a larger issue. I believe that many people do stereotype people depending on how they dress, and the name brands on those clothes. What is it about a logo on a shirt that determines how popular a person is? A vast majority of it is because the way you dress can illustrate an individual's status. Someone who is considered to be "wealthy" would most likely not be wearing clothes from Walmart, instead they would want to make it known that they have money by wearing designer names. This article can related back to the movie, the Overspent American, because this subject is related to the "keeping up with the Jones" era.

On the other hand, there are some individuals that are devoted to saving money, and would never bother wasting their money on brand name clothes when they could purchase nearly the same article of clothing from Target or Walmart, without the logo. In the end, the individual saving their money and buying satisfactory clothes, is going to be better off in the long run. I think it is about time people get away from the idea of brand names demonstrating status' and worry more about saving money and being able to buy everyday needs.

If you were considered to be a "wealthy" individual, would you buy all brand name clothes, or would you choose to shop at stores like Walmart, Target, Forever 21 etc as well?

Product Classification

A product is a good, a service, an idea received in an exchange. A product may be tangible or intangible and includes functional, social, and psychological utilities or benefits. It also includes services, such as installation, guarantees, product information, and promises of repair or maintenance. Products can be classified into two groups, either consumer products or business products. As college students, most of us tend to fall under the consumer category when purchasing different products.

Consumer products are products purchased to satisfy personal and family needs. When classifying consumer products, it is based on the consumer buying behavior. There are four different classifying categories: convenience, shopping, specialty, and unsought products. However, not all buyers may behave in the same fashion when purchasing a specific product, therefore one product may fit into several different categories. Convenience products are relatively inexpensive, frequently purchased items for which buyers exert minimal purchasing effort. Shopping products are items for which buyers are willing to expend considerable effort in planning and making the purchase. Specialty products possess one or more unique characteristics, and generally buyers are willing to expend considerable effort to obtain them. Unsought products are products purchased when a sudden problem must be solved, products of which customers are unaware, and products that people do not necessarily think of purchasing.

Business products are products bought to use in a firm's operations, to resell, or to make other products. Business products are usually purchased on the basis of an organization's goals and objectives, and they can be classified into seven categories according to their characteristics and intended uses: installations; accessory equipment; raw materials; component parts; process materials; maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies; and business services.

What was the last product you purchased? Under which category of consumer goods would you classify it as? Explain.