Which statement BEST describes an impulse purchase?

• A. A planned purchase after comparison shopping.
• B. An unplanned decision to buy an item just prior to the transaction.
• C. A decision driven by instinct but planned ahead.
• D. A purchase based on a budget.

Answer: (B)

Impulse purchasing is a spontaneous buying decision made right at the moment of purchase, without any preplanning. This fits the idea of deciding unplannedly to buy an item just before you pay, capturing both the spontaneity and the near-instant timing at the checkout.

A planned purchase after comparison shopping isn’t impulse because it involves research, comparison, and deliberate planning ahead of time. A decision driven by instinct but planned ahead still implies forethought and scheduling, not spontaneity. A purchase based on a budget indicates you’ve considered financial limits beforehand, which also contradicts the spontaneous nature of an impulse buy.