I despise anything DIY, but the fact is, I am in the minority. Most people not only like DIY, but they place a higher value on the outcome of their DIY efforts. A US study, since replicated around the world, found that people who had made a flat pack purchase from IKEA valued the item […]

I despise anything DIY, but the fact is, I am in the minority. Most people not only like DIY, but they place a higher value on the outcome of their DIY efforts. A US study, since replicated around the world, found that people who had made a flat pack purchase from IKEA valued the item at 63% more than people who had purchased the item pre-constructed. Another study involved origami and compared the value placed on two items: Made by a subjectMade by an expert The value placed on the outcomes were rated – as follows: Subject’s value on the subject’s product – 24 centsSubject’s value on the expert’s product – 5 centsObserver’s value on the expert’s product – 28 cents These findings suggest that: Being involved in the construction of an item increases its perceived value to the builderThe builder of an item places a higher value on it…