Having buyer's remorse over the purchase of an appliance, article of clothing, or even an automobile is one thing. Remorse over spending tens of thousands of dollars on a software system that was supposed to make your life easier is quite another.

 Buyer's remorse is the result of not one or two bad choices; it can be a compilation of multiple mistakes that are not visible until after the software is implemented. Some common reasons for software purchasing mistakes are:

• Lack of pre-planning and not adhering to a budget
• Buying features you may not need for years
• Using a "follow the crowd" mentality
• Succumbing to the idea that one solution can fix your problems

Software is a tool, not a magic bullet. As any craftsman can tell you, a tool is only as good as the person using it to improve an existing system or create something new.

Overbuying software is just as financially dangerous as under-buying. Experts concur that the biggest purchasing mistake companies make is overbuying. This includes buying software that is complex, difficult to implement, does not match current or future business needs, and exceeds their budget. Overbuying can also result from exaggerated vendor promises.