One shopper won't buy a fridge, oven or vacuum without asking Perplexity first, because it scans dozens of reviews and sums them up in seconds. He warns it sometimes makes up sources, so important details need checking.
I need a new [APPLIANCE] for [HOUSEHOLD SIZE/USE]. My budget is [BUDGET] and it must fit [DIMENSIONS/OTHER LIMITS]. Summarise what recent reviews and owner discussions say about the best options, including common faults and reliability complaints. Give me a shortlist of three with pros, cons and a source link for each claim.
Replace the [PLACEHOLDERS] with your own details before you send it.
How to try it
- Give Perplexity your real limits: size, budget, energy rating and must-have features.
- Open the cited sources for anything that would change your decision.
- Check the final model number, price and dimensions on the retailer’s site before you order.
More shopping use cases
Find a product in a big shop by photographing the aisle
On Hacker News, one user described giving up wandering a store and uploading a photo of the aisle he was standing in to ChatGPT, which helped him work out where to find the product he wanted.
I'm in [SHOP NAME] looking for [PRODUCT]. Here is a photo of the aisle I'm in. Based on the signs and products you can see, which section is it likely to be in, and which direction should I head? If you can't tell, tell me what to look for or who to ask.
Sanity-check Black Friday deals with Perplexity
Which? asked ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity for the best Black Friday air fryer deals. Only Perplexity found the experts' top pick and a working discount code, but it misquoted the deal price, so Which? suggests AI as a starting point, not the final word.
I'm thinking of buying [PRODUCT AND MODEL] for [PRICE] at [RETAILER]. Using current sources, tell me: the typical price over the last six months, the lowest recent price, other UK retailers selling it now and their prices, and any valid discount codes. Link every price to its source so I can check it.
Negotiate a car price with a dealer by text using ChatGPT
One buyer used ChatGPT to negotiate a car price over texts and emails, and found that the usual showroom pressure tactics carry much less weight when you have a calm adviser helping you word every reply.
I'm buying a [YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, TRIM] from a dealer in [TOWN/REGION]. Their quote is [PRICE, INCLUDING ANY FEES]. Similar cars I've found online are listed at [PRICES]. Help me negotiate by email or text: 1) list the questions I should ask about fees, warranty and add-ons, 2) write an opening message asking for their best on-the-road price, 3) suggest how to respond if they push me to come in or 'speak to a manager'.
Reference: X @rafalrudol