Figuring out Buyer Behavior

I decided to focus on the segment of lower income individuals that specifically suffered damaged to their home that they are unable to afford to repair and is causing day to day issues.



The first person I spoke with told me they needed electrical work because of the hurricane. They realized their real need for this when the weather changed and got colder. Heat became a more immediate essential item on their list of repairs. This need is now constant due to the colder weather. They anticipate that the air condition unit will become another repair if they do not get the electrical fixed by the time the weather begins to warm.



The next person I spoke with had a problem with funds due to the hurricane. Since they were forced to have to move because of the damage they were trying to come up with enough funds for a new place and deposits for bills. This was becoming an even bigger increase on their day to day life having limited funds for basic needs such as food while making the move. They noticed this need when they were forced to move and started evaluating the funds they would need for the move.



The third person I spoke with her father fell sick after the hurricane and due to the cost of the repairs they had limited funds for the medication. She realized she needed extra funds after the hurricane, but this did not become a necessity until her father’s health became at risk.



I noticed many of these people first started reaching out to people that they knew. They reached out to close friends and family for support to begin with. The internet was also a large driving factor for each of these people. One created on online account to receive fundraising. One joined an online support group and frankly posted about needing help. Many used google searches to try and find resources such as churches and organizations that would help them.



In this I have learned that the need for help depends on the immediate implications of the situation. While some repairs caused problems with being funding it was initially what the underfunding was causing. Issues like lack of comfort, inability to provide for themselves, threat of hunger, lack of shelter or obtaining basic needs became a very big reality and threat for these people. It was at this point they began to act in the situation.



I think to reach the people that need the assistance and bring them together with resources that could assist them they need to be reached out to. While many still have access to internet and that is surely one way to help many do not. I think working with local groups and uniting them with the community and neighbors we could connect them to provide the resources. I think a lot of the information search is based on networking.