Buy mode

Buy mode is one of three modes in the game (the others being Live mode and Build mode) in which the player may purchase items from the catalog, sell objects that are on the current lot, and arrange objects on the current lot. Construction-related elements such as doors, windows, fences, and stairs are not associated with buy mode, but are in build mode. Buy mode largely focuses on furniture and appliances.

The descriptions of many of the objects available for purchase in the game (namely the least expensive ones) involve humour, sarcasm, insults towards the player, and wit, and serves as comic relief in the game. For example, one of the cheapest cars available in The Sims 3, the "Big Lemon", notes that although the car's doors are jammed and its ignition is faulty, it is still worth buying. Another example is the outdoor entertainment item "Foot-and-Hand Ball" used to train the athletic skill, which references and pokes fun at American football, which, despite its name, rarely involves contact with the ball via the feet.

Mechanics
The game is paused while the player is in buy mode. Game time only passes when the player is in live mode.

Many of the tools available to the player, such as the hand tool, eyedropper tool, and design tool, are also available in build mode and will function just as well on items placed in build mode, like fences and trees, as they will on items placed in buy mode.

In some situations, buy mode, as well as build mode, may become disabled, such as during a fire, burglary, or other major event. This is done to prevent modifications to the lot that may impact or prevent a game event from occurring. After the event has ended, build and buy modes are re-activated. In general, buy mode and build mode are also disabled when a Sim is on a community lot.

Music for buy mode in The Sims is that of various stringed instruments.

By function categories
The Sims and The Sims 2 automatically sorts the buy mode by object function -- clicking on the buy mode icon will reorder objects to sort by room. Prior to Hot Date, the function sort did not have sub-categories. Unlike some features introduced in Hot Date, this was carried over into The Sims Deluxe Edition.

By room categories
Buy mode in The Sims 3 is automatically sorted by room, but selecting the "Sort By Function" icon will resort the buy mode by function. The items within each category are sorted by function, with some items included in multiple categories.

Buy mode tools in The Sims 2
Buy mode in The Sims 2 has tools not included in The Sims (original) buy mode. These tools are also available in build mode. Tools include:

Eyedropper Tool: When pointed at a wall covering, floor covering, or most objects, will show the name of what it's pointed at. Clicking on a wall or floor covering will switch to the appropriate area of build mode and select that covering so it can be applied. Clicking on an object will make an exact duplicate of it, and will focus the catalog on that object.

Design Tool: Allows a recolor or other change to a selected item. Costs §15 per use, and some items cannot be changed.

Top-down View: Switches the display to (or from) a view from above.

Undo/Redo: In The Sims, this was only available in build mode. The undo/redo history will be kept even if the player switches between Buy and build modes.

Flatten Lot Tool: Introduced in The Sims 2: Pets. It lowers all unoccupied tiles to street level.

Sledgehammer Tool: Introduced in The Sims 2: Pets. It's another way to remove walls and objects, and can remove all objects that are on a tile.

45 degree angle: This was introduced in The Sims 2: Apartment Life, and it makes it easier to put floor tiles on the ceiling.

Buy mode tools in The Sims 3
Four tools are at the player's disposal:

Hand Tool: Use to pick up, rotate, and move items. Some items cannot be moved; other items require being placed in a certain location (like outside). When holding an item, if the area under the item is green, the item may be placed there; if the area under the item is red, something is preventing that item from being placed there - attempting to place the item will give a description of the problem.

Create a Style: This tool opens up the Create a Style menu, which allows the player to redecorate and recolor most items using both preselected styles and colors, or by manually using a color wheel and different available textures. Use of this tool is free.

Eyedropper Tool: Like The Sims 2, this tool makes an exact copy of the item that is selected.

Sledgehammer Tool: Will automatically delete any item that is selected, unless said item is being used by a Sim or cannot be deleted.

Family Inventory
The family inventory is a space where large objects (too large to be held in a Sim's personal inventory) are kept. Certain opportunities may make an object available in the Family Inventory. When a Sim family moves, if "pack furniture" is selected, all objects in the household will be placed in the Family inventory, to be moved and rearranged in the new house.