The more choices people get, the less consistent they are in making those choices, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. The study’s findings may affect the way researchers examine consumer choices.

(Washington DC) June 3, 2008 In honor of Independence Day, best-selling author, Matthew Lesko is inviting everyone to join him online July Fourth at www.UncleSamLive.com when he hosts his first National Treasure Hunt, answering any and all questions about finding financial independence using government programs.

In today’s world, consumers face a dizzying array of product choices. Most often, there’s not just one ideal product; it depends on the individual and the context. A beer might be perfect for relaxing after work; a sports beverage after jogging. And a teenager’s ideal beverage isn’t the same as a business executive’s.

One of the fastest growing retail electricity providers, Texas Power, recently announced its partnership with WhiteFence.com, the nation's leading online marketplace for utilities and home services. With the addition of Texas Power to WhiteFence's powerful transaction engine, consumers have access to a fast and free online ordering system to find the best rate plans for Texas Power.

If you have been paying attention to the presidential primaries on either side of the aisle, chances are you have heard about two major themes from both the former and the remaining presidential candidates: the economy and the environment. The question is how Americans Can buy American, supporting the economy and protecting the environment.

Thought-listing exercises are frequently used by researchers to gauge people’s reactions to advertisements. But a new paper in the June 2008 issue of the Journal of Consumer Research from the Wharton School of Business suggests two alternative methods that may more accurately reveal what consumers actually notice.

Even though most Americans think of themselves as part of a family – and many list “being a family” as a top priority – very little is known about how membership in this collective actually affects consumer decisions, from choosing a cell phone plan to remodeling the kitchen to how we display treasured keepsakes.

In most real world settings, consumers encounter and evaluate products in mixed environments – aspirin and deodorant shelved side-by-side at a pharmacy, or an ad for a tropical vacation next to fashion spread in a magazine. Exposure to information about certain products can cause “spillover” to evaluations of subsequent products. But when does this influence occur?

Does coffee in a flimsy cup taste worse than coffee in a more substantial cup? Firms such as McDonalds and Starbucks spend millions of dollars every year on disposable packaging, but a new study from the April issue of the Journal of Consumer Research suggests that trying to skimp in this area might not be worth it – and may negatively impact consumers’ perceptions of taste and quality.

Economists usually treat time like money – as another scarce resource that people spend to achieve certain ends. Money is used to pay for things like furniture and plane tickets; time is spent assembling the do-it-yourself bookshelf or searching for cheap flights on the Internet.

A fascinating new paper from the Journal of Consumer Research investigates the seven-year war on music downloading that unfolded among corporate music executives and music downloaders.

Over time, consumers develop a set of cues that we then use to make inferences about products, such as “all French restaurants have great service” or “more expensive candles smell better.”