AI playbook · Personal productivity

Research a big purchase

Work out what matters for a car, laptop, appliance or service, compare options side by side and check facts on real sources.

Setup: 30 minutesBeginner Get the prompt

The problem

Big purchases come with endless reviews, sponsored lists and spec sheets. It is hard to know what actually matters for you.

Step by step

  1. Write down what you need it for, your budget and your must-haves.
  2. Ask the AI what features matter for your use and which ones are marketing.
  3. Ask an AI search tool for current options with sources.
  4. Build a comparison table and check specs and prices on the maker’s or seller’s site.
  5. Sleep on it before buying.

The prompt

I want to buy a {product} for {how I will use it}. Budget: {budget}. Must-haves: {must-haves}.
Explain which features really matter for my use and which are mostly marketing.
Then list questions I should ask the seller and red flags to watch for. Do not recommend specific models unless you can cite a current source.

Replace the {highlighted} parts with your details, or fill them in with the prompt builder.

Check before you use it

  • Prices and specs checked on the seller’s site.
  • Reviews come from more than one source.

Privacy

  • Nothing private needed.

Do’s and don’ts

Do

  • Decide what matters before you look at products.
  • Check total cost: running costs, warranty, delivery.
  • Read the return policy.

Don’t

  • Buy from a link in an AI answer without checking the shop is real.
  • Trust AI prices.
  • Rely on one review site.

When not to use AI for this

AI may not know current prices or new models. Use it to understand, and current sources to choose.

Tools that can help

PerplexityAn AI search engine that answers questions with links to its sources.
ChatGPTOpenAI’s general assistant for drafting, summarising, analysing files and brainstorming.
Google GeminiGoogle’s assistant, also built into Gmail, Docs and Sheets on Google Workspace plans.

We are not paid by any of these companies, and we list well-known options, not a ranking. Features and plans change; check the provider’s site and its data terms before you sign up. See all AI tools by category.

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