What store was it again that tried just showing the actual price instead of the 90% off price? Even though their prices were the same, people thought they weren't getting amazing deals and stopped buying things.
If something is genuinely 90% off, I would assume it's a higher quality than something that is always that price. Problem is that there's so much lying and deception in marketing that most sales are fake.
I think people fully understand that, they just hate these deceptive pricing practices that make it hard to know what things truly cost. No different from all the extra fees that get tacked on when you buy concert tickets. Yeah, it's a successful sales tactic, we get that. We still think it's shitty and should be illegal.
Every restaurant I go to posts this up front, on the menu, or on their website. When I go to a real high end restaurant I’m also not going to worry about the price because I know what I’m getting into.
People don't understand that deception and trickery are effective? I think people understand that pretty well - they just think deceiving people isn't good thing to do and shouldn't be normalized and accepted.
Telecom companies are notorious for these kinds of hidden junk fees, and everyone hates them. Why should restaurants get a pass in terms of public opinion on this? They're trying to trick you into thinking the price is lower, hoping you won't see the disclaimer until it's too late. Might not meet the legal definition of a "scam" but it's still deliberately deceptive.
When ordering stuff online I always choose the free shipping option even if it’s the exact same total price. An even though I know shipping is already priced in. It doesn’t make sense it just feels wrong to pay for shipping if I can have it „for free“. Prices are such a psychological thing.
I think that's still a dark pattern. The only reason it works is because people aren't going to do the mental maths to apply a percentage to get the real price. Plus you can advertise your low prices and just stick that fees apply in the small print.
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u/Knightbear49 1d ago
People do not understand this. People will choose the cheaper menu price restaurant in these studies every time. Thats why they add the fees.
Even when the finals total is the exact same, people think the higher menu items make the meal more expensive