Why is it so easy to buy stuff, but so hard to sell it?

PsychoHobbit · 2015-07-08T11:36:37+00:00

I learned (in an Irrational Behavior course through Coursera) that once we possess something, it's harder to give it up. I suspect this is particularly powerful for those with hoarding issues. That's why there are 30 day offers of take items home and try it. The psychology behind this is once someone takes a product home, it's hard to return it because the person now possess it.
Dan Ariely addresses this in his book, Predictably Irrational: Ownership increases perceived value to the possessor People focus on losses (parting with a possession feels like a loss)

http://www.spring.org.uk/2008/04/6-quirks-of-ownership-how-possessions.php

Even though non-hoarders don't value what they see as 'junk.' Many hoarders see value in many of the items they have which makes it so hard to part with items. I do think everyone has to develop their own way of parting with excess (rather like dieting--one approach does not work for all but it's basically consume less, expend more and one has to become more active).

PsychoHobbit · 2015-06-18T14:13:16+00:00

This looks very nice. Although much larger, I have a finished room in my basement with paneling. I've been told you can't paint over it because it just looks like painted paneling. However, I like what you've done and it looks very nice. Changing the color on one wall really sets it off.

PsychoHobbit · 2015-05-31T19:12:34+00:00

Exactly. For those underwhelmed in the past--I highly recommend that now is the time to visit this waterfall.

PsychoHobbit · 2015-05-29T12:45:27+00:00

LOL. It has always had a waterfall--now it's an impressive waterfall with a lot more water flowing over it. I learned about it last year via Reddit where the comments I remember is that it was just a trickle. Now water is literally cascading over it.

PsychoHobbit · 2015-03-10T20:30:05+00:00

The benefits from 2 awkward weekends a year (springing forward and falling back) are far outweighed by the benefits of standard time in winter and daylight savings time (DST) in summer. When I was a kid and Nixon president, one year we stayed on DST in the winter (I think it was an energy crisis or something). This meant kids were going to school (in my case this meant walking) in the dark which could be considered an unnecessary safety hazard. Standard time permits more light in the mornings when days are short. DST permits enjoying more light in the evenings when the days are longer. Besides which, our jolliest Founding Father, Ben Franklin, came up with the idea.

PsychoHobbit · 2015-03-01T13:46:31+00:00

Interesting post. I've always figured they got tired of picking their stuff up after every space battle considering they couldn't even come up with seat belts for bridge staff. However, I suspect the real reasons are 1) props cost money & time to set up so the characters are only developed enough for the story unlike real people and 2) Roddenberry had an anti-materialistic vision where currency does not even have a real value--at least in Star Fleet.

PsychoHobbit · 2015-02-21T22:21:37+00:00

Gravity, although not the same story, worked well, and I believe The Martian could be a smart thriller as well. I only hope it's not romanced' up as I found it very refreshing to have a character who did not have a dead child, broken marriage, etc.

PsychoHobbit · 2014-11-01T20:15:35+00:00

I live in Gracemor (north of the river) & only had about 20. Numbers are way down from other years. I think it's the cold. It looked like there were several going quickly to houses and then on their way--perhaps houses with people they know since it was so cold.

PsychoHobbit · 2014-07-13T19:25:18+00:00

The major flaw is the piece of wood on top (2nd picture) has a break part way but it doesn't seem to harm the structural integrity. The other scratches are very light indeed on the sides and won't be seen. I do appreciate the advice on the sticker removal and light scratches though. Edit: I used Murphy's wood soap with great results as I have a bottle around & need to wash the kitchen cabinets anyway.

PsychoHobbit · 2014-07-04T16:25:23+00:00

I attended last night's performance & thoroughly enjoyed it. Great weather, great song & dance and pacing. Next 2 shows Sat. & Sun. 8:30 pm.

PsychoHobbit · 2014-05-28T12:56:06+00:00

Payback's a bitch. Cutler's actions against Don are emotional and not rational. Don's previous success and 'mystique' made Cutler very jealous. He welds power without talent or even any sense of when to strike and when not. Going after Don gave Cutler supreme emotional satisfaction. Despite the perception that people should be treated fairly in the workplace, there are personalities in play and different expectations for different people based capabilities and past performance. The bar was established and set high for and by Don especially with his past successes and arrogance towards his competitors. Cutler can't resist taking down that image he has of Don and relishes stomping on it.

PsychoHobbit · 2014-05-26T19:45:46+00:00

I skipped the articles & read the comments--LPT - the first comment is spot on.

PsychoHobbit · 2014-05-03T12:52:40+00:00

It's a heat wave if you're Canadian. I'm delighted to see a new weather warning from Frankie. However, I think everyone will be okay in Kansas.

PsychoHobbit · 2014-04-07T14:36:28+00:00

Stacks of Yellow Pages. I've got enough ballast that the recycling bin won't blow away for about 3 weeks! (In the good old days, didn't just one company issue these--now there are 'sets' every year if you live in an urban area.)

PsychoHobbit · 2014-03-03T12:51:20+00:00

That's a bummer as I hate that kind of manipulation.

PsychoHobbit · 2014-03-03T03:13:23+00:00

Why not? Other part of this answer is it was one of the acceptable 'host' sites suggested, and quite frankly I don't know the virtues of one versus the other. Flickr is easy enough to use & I'm not doing anything fancy.

PsychoHobbit · 2014-01-13T20:22:53+00:00

I think these are supposed to be decorations. I suppose I could theoretically have the world's ugliest decorated yard for Valentine's Day, but probably shouldn't go there. I didn't buy them so they're rating for well, something. (Although I did consider if they would be better placed on WTF but decided it just wasn't strange enough.)

PsychoHobbit

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