yes I do, exhaustively. It's a "thing" -- my friends all mock me for it, but research can be fun. It makes major decisions less stressful to know you have considered all the options.

Yeah, me, too. And I have sometimes suffered from analysis paralysis. But it usually results in better decisions. I do sometimes have to squash my annoyance when folks want to be spoonfed answers when it is clear they haven't done any legwork.

Yeah, me, too. And I have sometimes suffered from analysis paralysis. But it usually results in better decisions. I do sometimes have to squash my annoyance when folks want to be spoonfed answers when it is clear they haven't done any legwork.

Yes, guilty as charged... research and over research which leads to paralysis. (I still haven't bought my range.) And it's not just big ticket items, sometimes it's small things like dish drainers and dish towels.

It doesn't bother me when I hear of people not researching. I just figure that they don't have that compulsion and they're probably just as happy with one thing than another. Although I do feel a sense of kinship with my fellow researchers, which is why I think this forum is so awesome.

Yeah but I still order the wrong things. :/

I guess it's obvious, but the extent of my research is proportional to the cost of the purchase and varies according to whether it's a product or service. For products, I read a lot -- for services, I interview (providers and past customers) a lot.

I research important and large purchases extensively. I think I get fewer surprises and know the product better once I choose one by doing all the research first.

I was rather annoyed a while back when we were purchasing a new toilet for a bathroom reno. The guy in the store accused me of overthinking the whole thing and it is just a toilet. But I seriously disagree and wanted to know if the trap was glazed, the grams per flush etc. These days there are huge differences in toilets out there and most other things as well.

By doing all my research first, I usually have a much better working knowledge of the item I choose as soon as I get it.

I research many things way more than the average person, but likely less than the average GWer. And it does vary by purchase. I researched strollers and car seats to death for example. But other things like sheets, eh, not so much.

We research to death, too much to be honest. Last night I "had to" yell (quietly of course) at my DD and DH when they were discussing where to get cheap gas -- this went on for at least 10 minutes - go here, no go there, no it's too hard to get back on the freeway, etc. etc. to the point that I was going to have to leave the room!

Well, I don't plan on starting my kitchen project until maybe next summer or the summer after, and I've already been hanging around here off and on the last couple of years. So there's that.

sjhockey - you live in Tech Central. Next time the debate arises, go ahead and yell (audibly, of course): there's an app for that! ;)

Yep, that's me. My friends call me the research queen. I'm not entirely sure whether it is a compliment or derogatory. I also fall into the category of too much research and analysis paralysis.

I do "satisficing" ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satisficing

Lay out the specifications for the purchase and note which ones are true requirements and which are "nice to have". Dimensions and budget are usually hard requirements. "Looks" is usually less rigid, unless you are matching things.

Then start searching for products that can fill the REQUIREMENTS ... if you need a 36" range to fit the kitchen, don't waste time looking at anything that is wider ... just DO NOT LOOK at the 48" Wolf! If your budget for tile is $8/sq ft ... don't look at the $20/Sq Ft stuff.

I then arrange them in ascending price order and start with the lowest price stuff and go up the price scale. When I find a product that fits the specifications, I STOP LOOKING.

EXAMPLE 1: I had a list of 20 or so tile stores, prepared to shop for a tile to blend with existing bath floor tile for a tub upgrade. In the FIRST place I stopped, I found tile that blended beautifully, was on the low end of my budget (it was CHEAP!) and came in the size I needed ... it was about 95% of my ideal. I bought it and dumped the list into the trash. Somewhere out there might have been a tile that would have been 96-99.99% but it's not worth the time trying to get from really good to perfect.

EXAMPLE 2: We wanted to replace ceiling fans with something vaguely "period" (for a house that was built before electricity) ... made the list of specs: number of blades, LED light kit, adaptable to a remote, and dark metal finish and "craftsman" or "rustic", down-facing light shades.

Many Internet searches later ... we had a couple dozen fans on a list. Eliminating the ones that had moose or trees on them (too much like a Cabela's display) ... started up the list and #2 looked reasonably styled for the house's era. So I bought 4 of them.

Almost everything of any importance.

My toaster just went out. Turns out the $39.00 Black and Decker 4-slicer gets some of the highest reviews and you can blow nearly $300.00 on a toaster these days.

The instructions are maddening though. They tell you to press the "Toast" button, but there is no such button labeled in the picture.

I research everything multiple times over. My hubby asked a friend about doing some work for our remodel and he told him to expect a quiz from me. That pretty much sums it up. It has definitely paid off without sacrificing quality. Just saved about $1,000 having a couple things done. Looking forward to more savings.

Not only do we research things to death, we also engage in "the quest". This emerges from the research into finding the perfect (insert almost any item), until we circle back and remember how much we dislike the term "perfect". But dang it, if it's out there, we'll find it.

We just may not find it in our lifetimes.

My friends do not mock us, may eyeroll occasionally BUT when an appliance breakdown or something they will call us for info.

funkycamper, I totally agree with the annoyance sometimes. I do understand that not everyone has time. A friend just called when her washer broke. She has a lot on her plate right now so I didn't launch into a long discussion just gave her some suggestions and basic info on what to look for. She probably will only spend 10 min. researching and that will be good enough.

Its like nails on a chalkboard for me when person says they are upset with their contractor over XYZ. Did you have a signed contract? No. Did you discuss the details of XYZ? No. Did he tell you where/what size/what color etc. XYZ was going to be? No. Barring any extenuating circumstances that really gets to me. I guess because it goes against every grain of my being! Not complaining about those people just saying how it feels 'cause I could never function like that.

Fori, I have been wanting to ask for a long time....why are you not pleased? That wasn't your name on GW. Its fine if you don't want to answer, I just had to ask, because I need to ask questions : )

OH, salespeople who do not get it, really annoy me. I was told that any color of wood flooring would look just look fine with my cabinets, so just pick one. Really??? Bought somewhere else.

lazy_gardens, that is quite the system!

Joe, literally LOL about the toaster button!

Satisficing... That rings true. Good word! I am a cheapie so I always look for the cheapest item that will supply all my needs and wants but my wants are modest. I rarely want or need all the bells and whistles and fancy features that I know I will rarely or never use.

I have people in my life who have plenty of time to play video games, hang out on Facebook for hours and such who want me to do their research for them. Uuuh, noooooo. If they want to know about something I have researched for myself, I don't mind sharing the important points I have learned but I'm not going to research something that I have no personal need for just so they don't have to do it themselves. I am glad to give them research tips.

And, yeah, it bugs when I know more than the sales staff, lol.

Yeah, like when you call stone manufacturers and ask what types of stone they carry and they list granite and quartzite. So, you ask "You don't carry soapstone?". Their response, "Oh yeah, I think we might have that.". And , of course, they don't know the first thing about it. Ugh.

I researched until my eyes bled! Sometimes had analysis paralysis, too.

I like to research, like someone above said... most of us here do... Houzz is a great source for researching! My researching amounts depend on the cost/value of (whatever). I am also a quiet researcher... I do it, but don't like to hash it out verbally with the rest of the family. Carrying on with them about some little thing can make me crazy!
I also feel that NOTHING is perfect... which makes things a little harder, cause I want to find that perfect ______!!! Life and things have a give n take to them... you trade this for that...

I love to research and will research anything and everything. I loved researching in university and still love it whether or not a decision is required at the end, although that's always part of the fun.

When we were buying our appliances for the kitchen reno we were being helped by the manager of the store. He offered me a job at the end because he said I knew more than his employees did about the product. I declined.

I hate research, but I do a lot of it. I suppose I hate wasting money and doing things wrong even more.

Someone said it earlier, but if you are here on GW it's probably because of researching something at some time, at least that's how I stumbled in.

I must say though, too much research will inevitably lead to negative reviews of something you had your heart set on, so then it turns back to being a matter of your own best judgement.

I do "satisficing"
I like that. It's a good word. That is pretty much how I do things. I think it helps that I am familiar with what counts with a "good build". I don't get enticed with bells, whistles, brand names and what everyone else is doing. While salespeople are extolling the "features" I'm taking things apart (the things that are supposed to come apart) to see how easy they are to maintain, how sturdy etc. It makes my teeth ache when I see posts that ask "which is best" without the poster taking time to decide what the item is, whether they would use one, or what it does.

I research for the best of what I want/need. When I read of a new product here or elsewhere and it is one I have a need for I will look at it. It either goes on the list or not.

I get more info from reading spec sheets and installation on the product than I do from pictures.

A lot of my shopping is done online and at times long before the actual jobs. I have plumbing/lighting stuff stashed all over the house now. Faucets, drain assemblies, shower/tub valves etc. along with light fixtures and trim for the baths. Because I know what I like I buy the nickel and dime stuff that kills a remodeling budget at the end $$$$ wise first. I started on one bath idea from a light fixture I saw. Built the whole design around it t right down to the tissue holder. When it's time to gut I will get the tile, vanity and counter. It's what works for me.

If I'm in the market for ANYTHING substantial, I feel panicky if I've not researched the purchase. I think its better to feel confident before spending.

I research everything to death and, like you, it often leads to indecisiveness. For me, the pros are that I rarely have to do anything over. If you ask my kitchen designer that I'm working with, she'd probably tell you that enough was enough... lol. I do feel like it saves me money, though I guess it depends on what type of value I put on my time. In the end, this is the way I am for everything, and I doubt I'll ever change.

Do I research? Yes...and no.

For example, I knew I wanted 30" double wall ovens. I knew I had an extremely tight budget and couldn't afford to spend more than 2K.

I searched....but always sorted results by lowest to highest price. I read review after review BUT I also kept in mind that as long as I was buying standard size appliances, I could easily upgrade those in the future.

I checked frequently for sales and discounts at Sears, Lowes, Home Depot and Best Buy. When I finally found one that was the right size for the right price I bought it immediately.

If I ever finish my complete remodel, I feel almost hesitant to share it here since it is in the vein of the "normal, poor mans" remodel.

But then I remember what brought me to this site to begin with.

We have DIYed essentially everything and every time I had a question or doubt during our remodel I would start searching the internet and you know what? The top one or two results I got would invariably be from GW.

It was THEN, six months into the process, that I finally decided to go straight to the horses mouth as it were and create an account.

This site and its dedicated users truly are a treasure trove of information.

My poor husband has become quite accustomed to me saying "well, so and so on GW"

I also, in regards to research and choosing, have always kept my parents rule in mind.

I can't count the number of times I heard my parents say (paraphrasing here), "compare every item; the cheapest is crap and poorly made, the most expensive and you are paying for the name and prestige."

Thank God for THAT lesson; and thank God for the internet, where I don't have to rely on word of mouth from my next door neighbors.

When I'm researching, I almost always throw out the most expensive immediately because I won't pay for a name or the prestige tyed to it.

Then I look for reviews, NUMEROUS reviews. Product A may sound great and in my price range and it has great reviews....all 5 of them.

Product B might be older and a little more (or less) expensive but it is 500+ reviews.

Based on that info, I choose product B.

It might not be the fanciest or most high tech but it does its job for the price I'm willing to pay and that makes it perfect for me.