Purchasing GP 9

I am buying all the packs to complete the game before it ends
..... plus I can afford it, having saved money in Lockdown,
...........plus I need something to interest me in aforesaid Lockdown as I am getting depressed with aforesaid Lockdown.

And because I like Sims 4

Depends on how much I want it. If there’s a feature that gives sims more personality like an attraction system or interests, then I’ll be more inclined to buy it very soon after the release. If they built a pack around a theme that did well in our surveys (teen gameplay, more hobbies, bands, winter vacations) that would be exciting, too.

If it’s occult-related I’m not interested at all unless maybe it’s fairies.
If it’s Star Wars, 99% likely never.

I'm holding to my principles just like I did in TS2 and TS3 until they fix their mistakes and bugs I don't buy anymore. At the end of TS2 there were some glitches and bugs in the last stuff pack which behaves like an EP, so I never bought it. In TS3 the IL EP was a mess, so I skipped the last EPs of TS3. I hold to those rules, and a lot happier for it. The last several packs for TS4 have been a mess, no new shiny can now make me change my principles. Fix the problems and I might consider another pack if it's what I would like.

If I like the theme and they do well on the livestream, I will go with Day 1. If it's something I'm only half interested in, I'll buy it whenever it goes on sale.

While I do find game changers interesting to watch in most cases, they never make my mind up for me but I will take into consideration what they say with their early access provided they aren't biased in some way (eg. Star Wars pack but known sci-fi hater).

After seeing the pack I am getting it ASAP. If not on Day 1, then definitely on the weekend right after. I'll deal with any bugs and hope for the best.

I cannot answer until I see what the pack actually is. But I very much doubt I would buy on the first day, or even in the first week. I would probably wait till I saw how it was going - I'm still holding off on EL because of the bugs.

And since I've got bills to pay, I'd try really hard to wait till it's on sale. I still have other packs I haven't started playing with (IL, Strangerville, and DU).

edited once I knew what was coming and voted

Actual answer: If it's something I wanted a lot (basically only standalone winter vacation or horses), then as soon as all my essential mods are confirmed working with it or updated and the worst bugs are ironed out. One month after release sounds about right.

If I just like it, then around a Black Friday/Christmas/New Year sale.

I'll wait one week or a couple of weeks just like i did with Knifty knitting. After Eco Lifestyle i became a bit aware of the mess i can tranform my game in if i jump straight to it without thinking...

I am very cautious about buying Sims 4 packs.
I almost never buy them on the day of release, because most likely they'll be riddled with bugs. And if you wait a month, most new packs will go on sale. What's the point of purchasing full price, when in 30 days it'll be 20% to 50% off? EA has plenty of money.
I also like to see a lot of Let's Plays to see if the pack is any fun. The trailers and EA live streams are sometimes quite inaccurate.
I think it would be better if people waited to buy packs in general, it would give them less of an excuse to release unfinished packs.

Only if its a theme I like (includes horses and/or farming). If space I will wait for a sale unless it includes Space Horses. ;)
Did I mention I am waiting for Horses to return?

If I really really like the theme, I could get the pack on day 1, but I try to learn myself to stress down with new content. Probably would hold back until day 3 or 4, but would not watch vids on YT, because I rather play the game myself than watching others play their games...