Ace the IB Adventure 2025 – Your Passport to Success Awaits!

Buyer's remorse is the psychological effect that occurs when a consumer experiences regret after making a purchase. This feeling is often tied to the notion that the consumer believes they may have made a wrong choice—perhaps due to spending too much money, doubting the quality of the product, or wishing they had chosen a different item. This phenomenon highlights the emotional and cognitive dissonance that can arise when consumers reconcile their expectations of happiness or satisfaction with the reality of their purchase.

In contrast, opportunity cost refers to the potential benefits that are forfeited when choosing one option over another, a concept that does not predominantly involve emotional regret. Impulse buying represents spontaneous purchases made without prior planning or consideration, often leading to buyer's remorse but is distinct in terms of the purchasing behavior itself. Brand loyalty indicates a consumer's commitment to repurchase a brand due to positive experiences, which is unrelated to feelings of regret post-purchase. Thus, buyer's remorse specifically addresses the emotional response to a buying decision gone awry.