Should You Buy It? An App Lets Strangers Vote
Tuesday, November 10, 2026170 words3 minutes262 reads
Wallet, Please Wait is a Chinese mini-program inside WeChat. Before buying something, users can list its price, explain their reasons and suggest cheaper alternatives. They can ask friends or strangers to approve or reject the purchase. However, the votes are advice, and users keep the final choice.
A reporter tested the service with two items costing 20 yuan each. Five of seven voters rejected milk tea, while six supported a notebook. Some considered the drink too expensive and the notebook more useful. Yet a small pleasure for one person may seem unnecessary to another.
The service attracted attention before China's Double 11 shopping festival. Chinese media reported that more than 300,000 people had tried it by late October. Writing a reason may encourage reflection, and experienced buyers can offer useful comments.
However, strangers do not know everyone's needs or income. Browsing requests might also introduce tempting products. There is no clear evidence yet of long-term savings. The app encourages a pause, but it cannot decide what matters to each person.
