Does social media sway online shopping?

I'm actually very new to Twitter, I couldn't find a way to follow twitts while doing other stuff, but now I found a good software to manage messengers, emails and social networks so I've been using Twitter among other social networks to get advice on which software should I download for a certain purpose, for instance. As for using it to help me decide what to buy, I think online foruns are still the best way to get information, as they are very focused and are able to gather people with specific interests and willing to share knowledge and experience. It's just easier than shouting to the world whether I should buy this or that type of cell phone, for instance.

Just recently my friend posted an update on whether to get an iphone or a blackberry and the comments were overwhelming. He ended up buying the iphone b/c people spoke so highly of it. I think larger purchases might more common,such as what brand should I buy for a flat screen verses what brand of heels to buy.

Overlapped very little and without much success? Huh? It happens in the context of the shopping experience, in the form of reviews, ratings, most popular products, etc. - which is also social media. The scope of social isn't limited to facebook and twitter.

Very good point, Jeremy. In our opinion, social includes blogs, forums and pretty much anyplace that consumers can post and read product and service reviews.

My company has an ongoing survey series devoted to media influence on consumer choice, and the growing influence of social media on purchase decisions of all types of consumer products is what we're seeing.

Michelle
@mktgforecast

yeah I consider myself part of the "new breed" of shoppers, called Value Hunters.
Finding legitimate commentary on forums/blogs/news sites relating consumer experience on the high price items, such as electronics etc.
And searching for coupons and incentives for the smaller purchases- anything from groceries to beauty products.

Using twitter eh. not really . I tend to shy away from social networks and sites that haven't adopted higher security encryption like extended validation SSL. Otherwise I might be spoofed into linking to a fake site and giving up my personal info without thinking.

I am totally with Sarah on this one. I want the lock icon in the URL window.

Consumer Reports was previously the only source that I could trust in the Brick and Mortar world & then online. However, after recommending plasma TV's & Sears Kenmore vacuum cleaners, and not hearing enuf criticism on cell phone companies, crooked politicians, I am now my own 'gold standard' when it comes to social networking of products and services. But then I'm also in favor of healthcare reform, so what do I know?

Douglas, here's a different approach to social shopping that seems to be working. Rather than pushing the commerce activity into the social network, bring the network to the online store. The goal: enable shoppers to see which friends know about the store and its products -- right at the moment when they are trying to decide. Then shoppers can reach out for advice they can really trust without feeling like they are spamming all their friends with a question most can't answer. It's all about context. (Disclosure: my company, TurnTo, provides a system to online stores that enables this. For a sample, try www.stylintrucks.com)

Funny that, can't see the TurnTo input box on www.stylintrucks.com: any better examples, George?

Interesting, my recent purchase of a cell phone. I actually tweeter and ask for opinion prior to buying. For the fact that it is a brand that I have never purchase before.

I had used it more as an info gathering process, which would contribute to a portion of the decision making.