What Kind of Shopper Are You?

There was an interesting article in yesterday's newspaper about the 4 different types of shoppers. 

The Primitive (or compulsive) Shopper

The compulsive shopper is driven by anxiety.  They aren't worried about what they're buying, as long as they are buying.  The compulsive shopper will go home after their shopping binge and hide the packages.  They also prefer to purchase a certain item, like shoes or clothing for women, or electronics for men.

The Neurotic Shopper

The neurotic shopper shops excessively, looking for the perfect item.  They will plan their shopping around something they need or want.  The neurotic shopper is looking for the "perfect" or "particular" type of something, like a particular style of sweater.  This shopper will buy several items, bring them home, try them on, then either return them all, or pick one.  They tend to return things. 

The Psychotic Shopper

The typical psychotic shopper is represented by a person who appears to be in "manic" phase who went on a shopping spree.  This type of shopper is commonly mistaken as a compulsive shopper. 

The Normal Shopper

The normal shopper saves their money and plans their purchases.  They understand the ideas of delayed gratification and saving money for big ticket items. 

So, what kind of shopper are you?  I am probably a neurotic shopper.  I will usually have an idea of what I want a certain clothing item to look like and then I will hunt and hunt until I find it.  During my hunt I will buy clothes along the way that would kind of work and then return them later.  I often find myself getting disappointed when I can't find exactly what I want, or if it doesn't fit right. 

I recently was shopping for a dress to wear to my company's holiday party.  This usually wouldn't be such an ordeal, except that I am about 3 months pregnant making it harder to find something that would fit and meet my expectations.  I wanted something that was holiday-ish with some sparkle to it.  I went to every store in town that I normally would buy from- Sears, Target, Kohls, JcPenneys, Macys, Burlington etc.  In my shopping process I purchased several items which I later returned.  I'd find a dress and think, well this isn't really what I want, but I guess it will work.  I finally went back to Sears to return something and took one more look at their dresses.  They must have got a new shipment in!!!  I found several new ones to try on and finally found one that satisfied me.  Sigh.  Ok, so it was still a little too big, but at least there is room for my belly to grow.  I won't even talk about maternity clothes- that might take another 5 paragraphs.  Who do they design those after????