How To Source Great Deals by Research Guru: Scott North
on Feb 16 in EVOLVE:, Grand Eureka! ~ Success, Innovation, Internet by Lindsey S. NagyOften, we find ourselves in search of the best price on a new/used product or service (aka: “a deal”). Does it ever literally pay-off when we take the time to gather competitive research versus when we give-in to the silly, perhaps misinformed, impulse purchase? I’m willing to wager that answer is a unanimous: abso-freak’n-lutely!
In the world of research, I know of two Kings. One of them my father, Stephen J. Nagy —members of my family who know him best still remind me of his almighty subscription to Consumer Reports and his noteworthy, self-prescribed intellect. The other savvy brain I fancy belongs to my friend circa childhood: Scott North. Recently, I had the opportunity to catch-up with the Research Guru —as I’ve coined him— and it occurred to me that many members of our audience would probably value Scott’s investigative smarts as much as I do.
A double-major (Economics / Engineering) from Lafayette College and a fellow native Tewksburian; Scott’s always impressed me with his mind. His methodical approach to research is extremely thorough and precise. During our days competitively-working together at Summit Financial Resources, Inc. (c/o The Hedge Fund Advisory Group and also The Family Wealth Institute, respectively) Scott really began to reveal his data talents to me. Sure, we both took pride in the successful data-mining and marketing we performed for the firm’s top-producers (at one of the industry’s top financial-planning firms), but routinely Scott took his book-worming a step further… Per one of our fun, annual occasions, Scott actually created presentations in PowerPoint to excite the parties attending our ski trip to Whistler Blackcomb (Okay, if you’re not that impressed with North’s abilities yet, I understand. I mean, everyone can make a PPT presentation, right?…Just wait…take a minute to view this presentation, below. Click “expand” and sift thru this puppy…I think you’ll get the picture)!
We’ve embarked on a few business ventures ever since our days (and nights) slaving to corporate finance experts. It’s crystal clear to me now why Scott’s as nasty (I mean that in a good way) a researcher as he is…any Guru is the epitome of picky. Nevertheless, his particular habits are what make him one of the most reliable and sound backboards that I’ve ever had the privilege of bouncing-off my research inquires — especially the crucial stuff we all should compile regarding our specific needs as consumers. In an impromptu call with Scott via Google Voice, yesterday, we chatted about best practices he professes when searching for deals…I decided to put him on-the-spot; record our convo and post it to the Interweb for the world’s ears to hear…
I assume that most of my simpleton-shopping peers prefer to search Google for a product merely to see what pops-up? Maybe a few of us dare to select Google’s weird-o, “I’m Feeling Lucky” button, too? (FYI: I call it a “button” ’cause; well, can one really label it a legit “feature“?) Alternatively, some of you are admitting to yourself right-this-minute that you frequently checkout full carts of “sale” items via Amazon, BestBuy, Target, Overstock, etc. due to the advertising you receive that claims “Free Shipping!” if only you buy..something-you-really-don’t-need. There are cults of consumers loyal to Woot, eBay, ETSY, GroupOn, LivingSocial or worse-yet, who aimlessly purchase stuff from checkout-isles of B&M’s (aka: physical sales posted at registers of any non-Internet-based, “Brick and Mortar” retailer)! We all are guilty of these shopping habits, and manly, because we think we’re going to get “THE BEST DEAL EVER!!!” They make us think we “found it!“; but let’s face it…we’re not finding anything super-duper. Not one of the shopping methods I’ve listed thus far result from the competitive research that we initiated ourselves. What I’m trying to point-out here my purchase-happy-patrons, is that given our options, we habitually succumb to the little time and patience we all have to shop wisely; we just buy stuff we assume is a decent deal. We’re products of our environment just as the products we wind-up reluctantly owning are products of theirs (ie: limited or pushy retailers).
IT’S TIME TO SHOP-WISE!
What if there was data out there that truly informed us about best deals, almost religiously? Could such a reliable, “no-catch”-destination actually exist?! What if we had access to some kind of crowdsourced, bandwagon consisting of thousands-upon-thousands of helpful, likeminded consumers, to serve-up fresh deals to us, 24×7!? Well, Scott North is one of the guys who makes an effort to source tools of this nature and utilize them to find the best deals for himself…and also those lucky enough to pose research-inquiries to him.
In this brief audio recording, Scott explains two of the online methods he uses most to procure amazing deals; what’s more, he confirms product/service consumer-approval as well as consumer experience with the related manufacturers and retailers in this process! Click the play arrow below to hear our discussion:
So there you have it, folks. In just under eight minutes, we all have the tools necessary to be a bit smarter about specific, deal-hunting. We covered two of the sites that Research Guru Scott North uses each and every time he’s looking to make a new purchase by way of frugal bargain. We also learned where he goes to determine the consumer ratings and feedback on all-things product related. And just in case you missed it, I’ve included the links to each of the sites Scott mentioned, below:
Where To Find Grand Savings:
The Go-To Resource For Reviews:
NOTE: Given the fact that the exact product you might be seeking may not actually be listed as a “deal” on either FatWallet.com or SlickDeals.net, you might just have to get into the habit of waiting. In America, we all love, love, love McDonaldization —in other words, we hate to wait for anything that’s not immediately satisfying like Fast-Food for example— so when it comes to deal-hunting, it’s also key to remember that the best deals come to those who research, like Scott, but also those who purchase with patience. It’s all part of the consumer research game, my friends. One thing I’ve learned about the masters of this game is that they love a good challenge and despise the mere thought of overspending on anything.
I hope everyone found Scott’s tidbits as innovative as I have. Lots of people shop, but North’s researchability (new word, by the way) is a “Grand Eureka!“ in and of itself. I’m sure this Research Guru will make another guest appearance on NAGYbomb.com in the future.
Grand Eurekas!,
~ LSN
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