After watching countless shoppers examine products for ages only to leave empty-handed, I've discovered the exact phrases that reveal when someone—especially Boomers—is just killing time instead of pulling out their wallet.
Ever find yourself stuck behind someone at checkout who seems to be shopping but never actually buying?
Last weekend at the farmers' market, I watched a gentleman spend twenty minutes examining every single tomato at my favorite vendor's stand, asking detailed questions about growing methods, discussing prices at length, and then walking away empty-handed.
After nearly two decades analyzing financial behavior patterns, I've learned that what people say while browsing often reveals more about their intentions than they realize.
When it comes to Boomers, certain phrases have become dead giveaways that they're just window shopping.
Now, before anyone gets defensive, this isn't about age-shaming.
My own parents fall into this generation, and I've noticed these patterns in my own browsing habits too.
However, understanding these verbal cues can save both shoppers and salespeople a lot of time and frustration.
1) "I'm just looking..."
This classic phrase might seem innocent enough, but when it's the immediate response to any greeting or offer of help, it's usually a wall going up.
I've noticed that genuine buyers tend to say things like "I'm browsing for now" or "I'll let you know if I need help."
The difference? One leaves the door open for engagement, while the other slams it shut.
When someone immediately declares they're "just looking" with emphasis on the "just," they're often trying to avoid any sales interaction entirely because they've already decided they won't be buying today.
In my financial analyst days, I saw this same pattern with potential investors.
Those who started meetings with "I'm just exploring options" rarely signed on, while those who said "I'm researching different approaches" often became clients.
2) "Back in my day, this cost..."
Nothing kills a potential purchase faster than dwelling on what things used to cost.
When I hear someone launch into a story about buying their first car for $3,000 or how groceries for a family of four used to cost $20 a week, I know that wallet isn't coming out.
This nostalgia trap is about resistance to accepting current market realities.
People who are ready to buy might comment on prices, sure, but they're comparing current options, not reminiscing about 1975.
I get it, though, sometimes I catch myself doing this with technology prices.
But here's what I've learned: If you're spending more time talking about past prices than evaluating current value, you're probably not ready to make a purchase.
3) "I need to check with my spouse."
Now, consulting with your partner about major purchases is absolutely healthy and responsible, but there's a particular way this phrase gets deployed as an escape hatch that's unmistakable.
Real buyers who need spousal input usually say something specific, like "Let me measure the space at home first" or "I want to show my husband this exact model."
The vague "need to check" without any follow-up questions or requests to hold items? That's a polite exit strategy.
During my years analyzing investment behaviors, I noticed successful couples often came to initial meetings together or had already discussed parameters.
The "checking with spouse" line usually meant they were uncomfortable saying no directly.
4) "Do you have anything cheaper?"
This question, asked before even looking at features or quality, is a red flag.
Buyers focused on value ask about differences between price points or what features they'd be sacrificing.
However, when someone's first and only concern is finding something cheaper, they're often not actually prepared to spend anything at all.
I witnessed this constantly at the farmers' market last week.
A woman asked vendor after vendor for their cheapest option, never once asking about taste, freshness, or growing practices.
She left with nothing, having spent an hour seeking prices she'd already decided were too high.
True bargain hunters do their research as they know what they want and what it should cost.
The perpetual search for "cheaper" without any baseline is usually just browsing disguised as shopping.
5) "I saw this online for less."
Of course, online prices are often lower with no physical storefront, less overhead, and bulk shipping.
We all know this.
Yet, when someone brings this up repeatedly without any intention of actually ordering online, they're usually just justifying why they won't buy today.
Here's what actual buyers say instead: "Can you match this price?" or "What additional value do I get buying from you?"
They're looking for reasons to buy,.
The irony? Many people who use this line never actually order online either.
It becomes a perpetual loop of browsing physical stores for the experience while using online prices as an excuse never to purchase anywhere.
6) "I'm going to shop around first."
Comparison shopping is smart, but there's a difference between someone who's genuinely comparing options and someone using this phrase as their standard exit line.
Real comparison shoppers ask specific questions, take photos or notes, and often ask about return policies or price matching.
The casual "I'll shop around" without gathering any actual information for comparison? That's just a graceful exit.
In my finance days, clients who were serious about investing asked for specific documentation to review.
Those who vaguely mentioned "looking at other options" rarely came back.
The pattern holds true whether you're buying mutual funds or microwave ovens.
7) "Let me think about it..."
Perhaps the most telling phrase of all.
When someone needs to "think about it" but can't articulate what specifically they need to consider, they're usually just avoiding saying no.
Genuine deliberation sounds different.
People say things like "I need to make sure this fits my space" or "I want to research this brand's warranty."
They have specific concerns to address.
The nebulous "thinking about it" is often just postponing a decision they've already made.
I used to do this myself when leaving my corporate job felt too scary to actually pursue.
I told people I was "thinking about it" for three years before finally making the leap.
I wasn't really thinking because I was avoiding.
Final thoughts
We all browse sometimes without buying, and that's perfectly fine.
Window shopping can be enjoyable, educational, and even therapeutic but being honest about our intentions, both with ourselves and others, saves everyone time and energy.
If you catch yourself using these phrases, ask yourself: Am I genuinely interested in purchasing, or am I just enjoying the browsing experience?
Moreover, if you're on the selling side, learning to recognize these verbal cues can help you invest your energy where it's most likely to pay off.
Not every browser needs to become a buyer, and the best thing we can do is acknowledge what we're really doing and own it.
There's no shame in being a professional browser, just let that vendor know you're "just looking" before they spend twenty minutes explaining their entire tomato cultivation process.
