Which buying behavior is exemplified by high involvement but few perceived differences among brands, such as carpets?

The buying behavior characterized by high involvement with few perceived differences among brands, like in the case of carpets, is best illustrated by dissonance-reducing buying behavior. Consumers in this scenario are likely to invest considerable time and effort into their purchase decisions because the items involved are significant and may have a high price tag or impact.

However, when it comes to choosing between brands, there may not be many distinguishing features that stand out to the consumer. This leads to a situation where even though the consumer is highly engaged in the decision process, the final choice may lead to post-purchase dissonance—that is, feeling uncertain about whether they made the right choice among similar options. This type of behavior arises when consumers want to ensure they have made a wise decision but face similar choices that make it difficult to feel confident in their selection.

In contrast, habitual buying behavior is typically characterized by low involvement and routine purchasing of items, whereas complex buying behavior involves high involvement and significant differences among brands. Variety-seeking buying behavior indicates a desire for new experiences and often appears in low-involvement situations where consumers switch brands for personal enjoyment, rather than necessity. Therefore, dissonance-reducing buying behavior is the most fitting classification for this scenario.