Six Ways Stores Trick You Into Spending More

According to Yahoo, here are six ways stores trick you into spending more:

• Double Discounts
• Pricing items at $9.99 vs. $10
• Three for $9.99
• Buy One, Get One Free
• "Sale" doesn't mean a discount price
• Putting things at eye level

Ha! Having been a marketer for almost 20 years, I can say this is a fairly good list of "the tricks of the trade."

The piece also lists six ways to fight back against these tactics. This is the real meat of this post IMO. It's a simple list of things all shoppers should do to make sure they are not getting taken on a purchase. Here's what's included:

• Do the math before buying. If you can't do the calculations in your head, purchase an inexpensive calculator and carry it around when you go shopping. If you see an item that comes with a double discount, the store may be attempting to make you believe you are getting a better price than you are.

• Instead of looking at the first number, make a conscious effort to round everything up when doing your calculations. This is another reason to take a calculator when you shop: it can help you work out the true price if you have trouble doing calculations in your head.

• Get in the habit of purchasing only the amount you really need.

• Before purchasing a buy-one-get-one-free item, find out what the regular price of that item is. Then do the math to see if you're really getting a bargain.

• Don't assume things on the end of an aisle or that are marked as "on sale" are actually a good price. Make a grocery price book so you know a good price and always compare the prices with other similar items.

• When shopping, be sure to look high and low before deciding which product to purchase. You'll often find what you're looking for at a lower price on another shelf.

All of these boil down to one simple point: be aware (informed) of what's really going on (what the offer is, what the price is, etc.) before you buy. Do this, and you'll be a great shopper and save yourself a ton of money.

Comments

[Odnal]

Also, don't assume that warehouse stores have the best price on things. I'm always surprised by how relatively expensive certain things are at at them. It seems that soda pop is always higher than average at the ones I frequent.

[Emily C]

Another one is not to trust the store if they have the unit price calculated for you (especially with groceries). Oftentimes, it's wrong. (Wal-Mart is the worst offender in my area)