Analysis of Students’ Considerations in Selecting Products Based on Needs and Financial Capacity

Abstract

This study examined how university students evaluated products before purchasing, the factors shaping their choices, their approaches to purchasing within financial constraints, and the prioritization of needs over wants. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, drawing on interviews with five students at Universitas Islam Negeri Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto. Interview data were analyzed through reduction, thematic presentation, and conclusion drawing. The findings showed that students considered price, product quality, usefulness, durability, and the compatibility of purchases with their needs. Across respondents, price and quality were frequently considered, whereas the importance attached to promotions varied. Discounts, promotions, and trends also influenced choices, although they did not consistently outweigh practical considerations. Students managed limited allowances by allocating budgets, recording expenses, postponing purchases, saving, or seeking more affordable alternatives. When funds were insufficient, postponement was a commonly reported response. Daily living and academic requirements generally took precedence over discretionary purchases. Some respondents nevertheless reported difficulty managing money or balancing price against quality. The findings offer a context-specific account of purchasing considerations rather than evidence of causal effects or patterns representative of students elsewhere. The study concluded that students’ purchasing decisions reflected ongoing negotiations between product value, perceived necessity, and available financial resources.