buyer's remorse

alternative buyers' remorse

1. uncountableA feeling of anxiety or regret after making, or after promising to make, a purchase, especially a purchase encouraged by a high-pressure sales pitch.

   In your new service contract, read the fine print of the buyer's remorse clause. Some carriers, such as VoiceStream, give you only 72 hours to decide whether to keep their service.

   2002 June 3, Wilson Rothman, “The Smart Ones”, in Time, archived from the original on 08 Jun 2008

   1 more example

   All too often, however, a gal comes home and buyer's remorse sets in. […] A dress looks dreamy when you try it on in the shop. But once you're standing in front of the mirror at home, something dreadful's happened.

   1953 May 11, “Correct for Figure Faults to Avoid Buyer's Remorse”, in St. Petersburg Times, retrieved 21 Oct 2008, page 26

2. uncountabletransferred senseA feeling of regret after any kind of decision, for example voting for a certain party or consenting to sexual intercourse with someone.

   Synonyms: postdecisional regret