Merchants use a variety of strategies to get us to spend more – from labeling prices without dollar signs to setting a per-customer limit. And this takes place at all ends of the spectrum – from buying food and toys to cars and houses.
Here’s a detailed look at the tricks retailers use when pricing products:
1. Prices that end in 9, 99, or 95
Here’s a detailed look at the tricks retailers use when pricing products:
1. Prices that end in 9, 99, or 95
Known as “charm prices,” prices ending in 9, 99, or 95 make items appear cheaper than they really are. Since people read from left to right, they are more likely to register the first number and make an immediate conclusion as to whether the price is reasonable.
When professor Robert Schindler of the Rutgers Business School studied prices at a women’s clothing store, he found the 1 cent difference between prices ending in .99 and .00 had “a considerable effect on sales,” with prices ending with .99 far outselling those ending with .00.
When professor Robert Schindler of the Rutgers Business School studied prices at a women’s clothing store, he found the 1 cent difference between prices ending in .99 and .00 had “a considerable effect on sales,” with prices ending with .99 far outselling those ending with .00.
While this works right down to the last digit on a product as small as an iTunes download, it’s also effective on anything from a pair of jeans to a car or house. Homes selling for $299,000 often sell faster than those costing $300,000. The reason? It’s under, rather than at, the upper limit of those shopping for houses in the $250,000 – $300,000 price range.
2. Dollars without cents
2. Dollars without cents
If you see prices with no change, the retailer or restauranteur is sending the message that you’re in a high-end place. The implication is that if you’re concerned about pocket change, you should move on.
3. Prices without dollar signs
3. Prices without dollar signs
In Tricks of the Trade: Restaurants, we explained the rationale behind restaurants intentionally leaving dollar signs off menus: It makes customers spend more. In a Cornell study, guests given a menu with only numbers and no dollar signs spent significantly more than those who received a menu with either prices showing a dollar sign or prices written out in words.
The same tactic translates to retail stores. When items are marked, say, “20″ without the dollar sign, retailers are hoping customers won’t associate the amount with money and thus be less likely to keep a running tally of how much they’re spending as they shop.
4. 10 for $10 trick
4. 10 for $10 trick
Stores push deals like “10 for $10,” aiming to get shoppers to buy items like soup, cereal, etc., in bulk. But here’s something stores don’t advertise: You don’t always have to buy in bulk to get the deal. In many cases, you could just as easily buy 1 for $1. It’s something worth asking your retailer about before loading up your cart.
5. Per-customer limits
5. Per-customer limits
When stores add limits to products, like “limit 4 per customer,” it tricks shoppers into thinking the product is scarce, the price low, or both. It also gives the impression of big demand. You find yourself buying several when you would normally buy just one, to avoid missing out.
6. “Free” promotion
6. “Free” promotion
Retailers know “free” is the magic word. So they roll out deals like buy-one-get-one-free – sometimes convincing us to buy things we wouldn’t normally purchase. Free shipping incentives requiring us to spend a certain amount of money also draw us in.
7. Simple prices
7. Simple prices
Simple prices, especially on products susceptible to future markdowns, allow shoppers to quickly compare how much they’re saving. It’s easy to compute the discount on a product originally priced at $50 that now costs $35, as opposed to an item originally priced at $49.97, now on sale for $34.97.
The bottom line
The bottom line
These tricks are so simple, it’s easy to believe you’re too sophisticated to fall for them. Odds are, however, you do, and so do millions of other people. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be used.
But being aware they exist – and work – may help you overcome them and make you a smarter shopper. Take notice next time you’re shopping.
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