Consumer Research, Inc. is investigating whether there is any correlation between specific characteristics of credit card users and the amount these users charge on credit cards. Their objective is to determine if these characteristics can accurately predict the annual dollar amount charged by credit card users. Data was collected from a sample of 50 credit card consumers presenting information on the annual income (referred as Income), size of household (referred as Household), and the annual credit card charges (referred as Charges) for these consumers. A statistical analysis; including a descriptive, simple regression, and multiple regression tests, of this data was performed and the findings are presented below. Due to the uncertainty of the size of the intended population with respect to the size of the sample data, any inferences implied from this analysis are merely observations and should not be applied as absolute findings with regards to the entire credit card consumer population. Descriptive statistics was performed for each of the three characteristics (variables), Charges, Income, and Household, from the survey. The sample data reveals the average credit card user has an Income of $43,480, a Household consisting of 3.4 people, and has $3,964 in credit card Charges. To determine if a relationship exists between Charges and Income, or Charges and Household, a scatter plot graph illustrates a positive relationship for both consumer characteristics (Exhibit 1). However, there is no apparent relationship between Income and size of Household. This finding clarifies that the two characteristics are indeed independent of each other and are good variables to use in determining multiple characteristic effects on cre... ... middle of paper ... ...m $2,862 and $4,536. While the statistical analysis of the sample data gathered by Consumer Research, Inc. does indicate that a consumer's annual income and size of their household can be used to determine the annual amount charged to their credit card, a note of caution must be considered. These two characteristics do appear to have a strong correlation; however, the overall correlation is not exhaustive. Other factors that may contribute to credit card usage are age, gender, and martial status of the consumer. In addition, the interest rate and the number of credit cards the consumer holds (uses) should be taken into account as this information will greatly affect the annual charge amount for one particular credit card. It is advised that another study is performed utilizing more characteristic variables to better determine the best possible prediction model.
In addition, “if American Express going to be successful as a brand and as a marketer, they need to understand where consumers are doing it, how consumers are spending their time, where consumers want to access information, and how can American Express engage them. American Express has be used in countries all over the world for decades. It simply grew up with the baby boomers’ generation and has earned its reputation as a card with distinction. Through the years, the company has consistently reached consumer by keeping in step with the changing needs of the population. They also has acknowledge that it is the consumers who really decide what American Express stand for and not the company pushing out marketing messages. Further, American Express belie...
American Express has become one of the leaders in credit and debit card transactions of the financial world. As the most innovative company in the business, they were the first to develop a large-scale traveller’s check. Over the years the company became more of a financial company and with the advent of consumer credit and debit cards they became a major player in supplying this service to it's members. American Express produced a niche market of "card members" to fit the needs of various financial desires. American Express has had to diversify it's products and services over the years to stay competitive with Visa and Master Card, who still control over 75% of the market share. The "elite" consumer still carries an American Express card, and the services and extra benefits associated with "being a member" are still an attractive bonus to many users. With it's financial services, travel business, and it's new Internet business sites American Express continues to grow and even through the recent meltdown in the financial markets they have seemed to emerge as strong as ever and will remain competitive through the 21st century. Once appeared as a travel service company associated with entertainment expenses, and even had several celebrities appeared in their advertisement campaigns. However today it seems as though the company attempts to convey that their service provides an easy and rewarding spending experience.
This research seeks to reveal the importance of marketing strategies in today’s complex and competitive business world. For this reason, this study will discuss various theories, issues and approaches of the marketing linking them with W.L. Gore & Associates and thereby propose the best options, ideas, strategies and techniques for the improvement of the company. To reach the points, this study will especially collect secondary and qualitative data and information.
American Express has been known as a commodity to most business travelers. In order to build its customer base, other consumers need to see the card as an indispensable convenience in their lives. American Express offers convenient methods to obtain account information, pay bills, find discounted products, and even make travel plans via the Internet. The Internet site offers these options, as well as other services, such as on- line help and assistance for small businesses. American Express realizes the need for many consumers to save time and money, but to still feel important and respected. The ingenuity and thought put into the services offered on the web site shows that American Express is genuinely concerned with the satisfaction of its customers.
Credit card debt is one of this nation’s leading internal problems. When credit was first introduced, and up until around the late 1970’s, the standards for getting a credit card were very high. The bar got lowered and lowered to where, eventually, an 18 year-old college student with almost no income and nothing to base a credit score on previously could obtain a credit card (much like myself). The national credit card debt for families residing in the United States alone is in the trillions (Maxed Out). The average American family has around $9,000 in debt, and pays around $1,3000 a year on interest payments (Maxed Out). Many people have the concern today that these interest rates and fees are skyrocketing; and many do not understand why. Most of these people have to try to avoid harassing collecting agents from different agencies, which takes an emotional and psychological toll on them. While a lot of the newly recognized “risky” people (those with a doubted ability to make sufficient payments) are actually older people who have been customers of certain companies for decades, the credit card companies are actually consciously targeting a different, much more vulnerable group of people: college students. James Scurlock produced a documentary called Maxed Out on this growing problem, in which Senator Jack Reed of (Democrat) of Rhode Island emphasizes the targeting of college students in the Consumer Credit Hearings of 2005
We now live in a society where kids start their adult lives “in the red”, as their debt exceeds their income. (Draut, 2005) 60 years ago this wasn’t the case, as told by Studs Terkel in Hard Times-An Oral History of The Great Depression, “I had no idea how long $30 would last, but it sure would have to go a long way because I had nothing else. The semester fee was $22, so that left me $8 to go.” (Turkel, 1970) Imagine that! 60 years ago tuition was $22 dollars a semester! Furthermore, 45% of adults under 35 state they find themselves resorting to credit card use for basic living expenses like rent, groceries and utilities, (Draut, 2005) adding to their mounting debt. This use of credit puts them into an entirely different category of indebtedness: survival debt. (Draut, 2005) Imagine being forced to borrow to live! (Draut, 2005) If a car breaks down or someone gets sick, the only option available is using a credit card. (Draut,
In the Spring of 1949, Alfred Bloomingdale, Frank McNamara, and Ralph Snyder came up with a new plan for a modern type of credit card. While out to lunch one day in New York, the President of the New York Credit Card Company Frank McNamara had forgotten his wallet at home (Evans 53) . He had a thriving business yet credit cards at the time were only given to selected people. The first modern credit cards was introduced by Diners Club Inc. because of this. The modern day credit card is a small, plastic, rectangle, more than three inches. There is an account number and a name that is embroidered on the front. The first credit card did not look much like what credit cards look today. They were made out of paper not plastic, and they weren’t cards they were a lot like a tiny booklet that had all the same information the modern day credit card has now(Weiss 38). The modern day credit card can carry up to a $200 line of credit meaning you can buy anything you want at that certain time and pay it back at a later date such as months or a year after that time. Some companies require you to pay the full amount of your charge on the card at once, but some allow you to pay in small amounts. In order to apply for a credit card you must be at least eighteen years of age and if you are not you must have an adult sign the paperwork to apply for one. Prior ...
increasingly dominating the purchases of many American consumers. The concept of the credit card dates back to the late 1800's, while the modern credit card took form in 1966. Since then credit card use has exploded (Woolsey par.1-2). Today, over half of the United States' population owns at least two credit cards. The United States should become a cashless society because the government would ultimately save money, there is more convenience for consumers, and money related crimes would decrease dramatically.
Credit cards are something that are almost needed in everyday life now, as most dont have the money available to purchase a car or house and so need credit, thus needing credit cards to help build that credit. Those cards are hard to handle, and receiving applications in the mail daily, and commercials appearing on television don’t seem to make the struggle of staying away any easier. This starts to spark an interest. So people begin to think, "I think I 'm responsible enough to get a credit card, I 'll only use it for emergencies." Then the application process begins and it may take a couple times to finally be approved for one. This only makes it worse, of course, because realizing how long a credit card wasn’t applicable to life, but now
Introduction This paper presents a dynamic model on the consumer behaviour in the real world marketing issue. It will further discuss the marketing and industrial experiences encountered daily in everyday business life, in addition to the consumer behavioural issues and consumer analysis and recommendations. Research studies have argued that industries or companies experience lots of issues in awe of the logistics of their daily routine, giving them the knowledge that can be used to anticipate incoming situations with the way of tackling problems. However, with the familiarity and repeated external occurrences in the marketing scope of an industry, there are many implementations carried out in solving such problems without complexity.
...: A Critique of the Global Credit Card Society." International Journal of Comparative Sociology 38:1 June 1997, 77-82.
Consumer Decision Making Process A key factor in successfully marketing new/existing products or implementing a product Extension is a thorough understanding of the motivation, learning, memory, and decision Processes that influence consumers purchasing behavior. Consumer purchasing behavior theories have found their way into managerial decision making to help companies more effectively develop and launch new products, segment the market, determine market entrance and in brand management. Therefore, a better understanding of how consumers decide what to purchase is critical to the success of a product. There are numerous theories and models describing the consumer purchasing decision process.
After graduating high school most young adults will either choose to go to college, immediately start working, or decide to join the military. Credit card companies often see this as an opportunity to seek out to these people and offer them great deals on credit cards hoping that they will accept their offers. Before these people make the decision on whether or not they should get a credit card they must first know the disadvantages and advantages of having one. It is very important that they know both sides so they make the right choice.
The introduction of the credit card first came around while the economy was booming in the early 1950’s. American consumers were in buy mode and the credit card was a genius idea to let people buy now and pay later. At first look this idea seemed great but what looks and sounds great does not always mean that it is going to be great overall. Over the years credit agencies have released thousands of credit cards with several questionable polices and high interest rates. “Any given American family in the present day possesses an average of eight credit cards with about 15,000 dollars of debt”(Canner 8). Many consumers have become addicted to wasteful cyclic consumption and living beyond their income due to the ownership of credit cards. The invention and continued implementation of credit cards into the American economic and social systems appears to be the cause of the struggling economy, the weakened U.S. dollar, the sky rocketing prices of gas and grocery store goods, the all-time highs of American debt, and social deprivation in some regions.
In today’s competitive world where organizations looking for high profitability and market share, consumers have very important role. Companies are looking for capture consumers in order to get larger market share. For this reason organization developed a number of techniques and tools. One of such tools is consumer behavior which has been come from economic theory. Consumer behavior is mainly studying the factors and situations that can affect purchase decisions of consumers. Consumer behavior is being very important discipline of management sciences which help out to understand of customers’ decision making.