What is the typical purchasing behavior associated with unsought goods?

Unsought goods are products that consumers do not typically think about purchasing or may not even be aware of until a need arises. The defining characteristic of unsought goods is that they require more effort in terms of promotion, as they are not in the consumer's immediate consideration set. When individuals encounter a situation where these goods are necessary — such as life insurance or emergency medical services — they recognize the need only when the situation demands it, leading to a purchase that is often spontaneous or prompted by a specific context or problem.

This behavior aligns with the selection of items that were previously unknown. Consumers often encounter these goods when they are in specific situations that require them, highlighting that they might have had no prior consideration or knowledge of these products prior to needing them. In contrast, immediate desire and purchase, thorough research before buying, and frequent buying and restocking do not accurately capture the nature of unsought goods purchasing behavior.