Why Do People Sometimes Defend a Product They Know Is Bad?

Written on 09/13/2026

Because admitting something is bad can mean admitting they made a bad decision.

They spent money on it.

Recommended it.

Waited for it.

Maybe even argued with someone about it, at that point, criticism of the product can start feeling like criticism of the person. So people defend the purchase.

Not necessarily because the product is good.

Because changing their mind would mean changing the story they have already told themselves.