http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/ Engadget Comments for Journal finds that consumers prefer vague product specs to utter ignorance http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 1:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/That's why eBay has a feature to link a standard description to popular items.]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/I probably know the specs, but the fact that you didnt take the time to list them turns me off.]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
Also if you fill in the item specifics (think thats whats its called, the spec table at the top of the listing) it makes it much easier to narrow down your search.

Another eBay pet peeve of mine is people who use only stock images for items.]]>Dec 15th 2008 4:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
I believe that materialistc customers with no idea what they are buying - who spend based on price - probably like plenty of vague specs because they psychologicaly equate more stickers and more explanations with "more"...

but, true technophiles don't want vague specs.

We want to know exactly which processor is faster ie. Atom or Celeron

We want to know which is better, a GTX 280 or a Geforce 9800

We want to know whether or not an iphone or Storm can "copy/paste"

We want to know whether a computer can run Crysis in Very High...or just Medium.

I challenege the validity of this study.]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 2:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
Like many geeks out there, before I buy almost any piece of technology I do my research. But there are a few things about which I couldn't care less. Example: if I go to a hardware store to buy a circular saw, I don't really have a conception of the difference between amounts of torque, horse power, or RPMs. I just know that higher is GENERALLY better in a sort of vague sense. Given two indiscernible products, one of which has numbers attached and the other of which doesn't, I'll go for numbers every time because it means I know what I'm getting.

The AVERAGE consumer probably doesn't go look at benchmarks every time they think of getting a new monitor, they look at three things: price, appearance, and vague specs you get on the box.]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 3:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
Retailers get over on us all the time with throwing out unimportant specs to confuse the consumer, and its usually to confuse them into spending more doe. Sooo, specs dont matter when you dont know whats better, price does. ]]>Dec 15th 2008 3:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/



Also, because he's Flashpoint.]]>Dec 15th 2008 5:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 2:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 2:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
I think that this study fails to account for doddering biddys.]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 2:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 2:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
when they say "popular", they are not speaking of consumer impression, I believe they are speaking of total sales. ]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
Look back at the 'popular' kids in your school, the atletic jocks and cheerleaders, sure they looked pretty, but could they play chess, calculate standard deviation, or code in several programming languages? No!

Look at 'popular' music, a bunch of manufactured acts by record companies to have mediocre succeses, then left to crash n burn a few years down the line. For a time they're the 'in thing' but they sound like cats in a blender, often having their recordings pitch corrected becasue they naturally cant hit or hold notes, and mime/lip sync on tour to cover it up. It may be 'popular' but it doesn't mean its a sign of quality.]]>Dec 15th 2008 5:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 2:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
*From a selection of 13.5 random consumers**

**taken from one shopping mall***

***all related in some way]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 2:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 3:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
One item I just purchased from a leading retailer had the wrong video card listed (listed Nvidia 8400, was actually 8200). I got a free $85 dollar gift card and they corrected their web site.

A Sony Soundbar listing I looked at from the same people listed a feature that was very desirable but no way available on the item listed.

Caveat Emptor ]]>Dec 15th 2008 3:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 3:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
It is something that Apple has done very well, making a wonderful product aesthetically and usability is definitely a plus.]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
And that's not an exaggeration cause it already claimed my wallet as its own.]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/- Lots of MEGAPIXELS do not make a cell phone camera as good as a proper camera. More megapixels often means worst image quality due to noise.
- High DYNAMIC CONTRAST does not make a TN-panel LCD monitor look as good as a PVA or IPS panel with lesser contrast specs.
- High WATTAGE in a home-theater-in-a-box does not make it sound louder when the speakers have very low efficiency. Higher wattage is often accompanied by higher distortion.]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
?!]]>Dec 15th 2008 3:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Peek. Not Peak. While you may be impressed with your gift guide, it isn't quite a mountain. ]]>Dec 15th 2008 2:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 3:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 3:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 6:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 3:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 4:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/
So the more specs the more easily they can support their decision that was based on other things (price, status, friends...)

I don't believe most people base the purchase on the specs, they pay attention to the specs they want to support their decision.
So, if they want the Sony - they find the contrast that is higher and then say, oh this one has higher contrast, and I
wanted the Sony, so ok.

]]>Dec 15th 2008 4:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 6:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/journal-finds-that-consumers-prefer-vague-product-specs-to-utter/Dec 15th 2008 6:05PM