In 2005 a Carnegie Mellon study was conducted over a five-month time period to study the difference between Spendthrifts and Tightwads. This study consisted of 538 students who responded to a series of online surveys that, among other items, included a question that asked participants if they would be willing to pay a hypothetical fee. The sample included 88 tightwads, 112 spendthrifts, and 338 unconflicted consumers. Survey respondents were told, “Suppose that in exchange for completing a survey for Amazon.com, you could receive your choice of one of the four DVD box sets listed below. If you choose to complete the survey, the box set will be shipped to you for free within 4 weeks”. Respondents from the different buying stages were asked
