It’s easy to end up spending more money than you planned, as advertisers use a range of subtle techniques to entice you into buying things you never even considered. It’s a good idea to research and avoid these tactics to save yourself some money, so here are 19 of the most cunning tactics that companies use to trick you into spending more.
Discount Codes
Statistics from Forbes show that “34% of shoppers shop online at least once a week,” so it’s not surprising that such online shops have jumped on board with penny-pinching tactics. Something that often lures people into shopping online is the discount codes that retailers send; these codes are the coupons of the virtual world and make online shoppers feel like they’re getting a special deal.
Vouchers
Vouchers provide customers with money-off deals, making them feel special and enticing them into spending money just because they have one, not necessarily because they’re in need of the product being advertised. It’s actually a rather addictive and competitive habit for many citizens of the UK, so watch out, as you might be losing more money than you realize.
Everything Must Go!
Have you ever seen the words “everything must go” in a shop? This is an indication that they’re selling stock at dirt-cheap prices to make room for new goods. Just knowing that you’re getting an item at a great discount might be enough to make you buy it.
Discounted Automatic Reorder
According to Forbes, the global e-commerce market is expected to be worth around 10% more in 2024 than it was in 2023, and it’s not surprising with all the sneaky tactics of online shops. One tactic retailers use to get more money is to offer discounts on automatic reorders, as these guarantee you’ll spend money on the product again.
Clearance
When items for sale are put on clearance, this immediately draws our attention. We want to see what’s in the clearance section so we can land some good deals. We might even pick up multiple items we don’t need just because they’re being sold at a low price.
Buy One, Get One Free
Buy one, get one free is one of the oldest advertising tricks in the book. The fact that you’re getting something for free seems far too good to be true. So, you pick up the item, even if you don’t need or even want it.
2-for-1
Just like BOGO, two-for-one advertising deals play with numbers. These deals make us feel like we’re getting something for nothing. Because we know we’re going to get one item “free,” we feel almost obliged to buy it so as to not miss out on the awesome opportunity to save money.
Buy Now, Pay Later
Buy now, pay later advertising is one of the most dangerous deals we could be roped into. The thought of leaving a shop without paying for an item is exhilarating. And the idea of postponing the payments until later on appeals to all of us.
Checkout Items
Fox Business says, “Almost 56% of consumers said they had a spending plan, but 49% said that impulse purchases had caused financial stress.” Many people buy on impulse because they’re tempted to do so by checkout items. These items add a couple of pounds to our bill, which really add up.
Spend for Money Off
Some shops and online advertisers will encourage you to spend a certain amount of money so you can get more money off your total order. While it may seem like the advertisers are doing you a favor here, they’re actually tricking you into spending more.
Exclusive Online Deals
Some online retailers will advertise products on their websites that are exclusive to online shoppers and can’t be found in-store. These exclusive deals make online shoppers feel special and tempt them to get the item, not because they need it, but just for its exclusivity.
Today’s Deals
Both online and in-store retailers usually have a list of special deals that are available for just one day. The short time frame that the goods can be purchased at discounted prices makes shoppers panic and pushes them to buy the items just because they’re on sale.
Free Delivery
The figures from Capital One Shopping show that “among internet users, approximately 58.6% have purchased groceries online.” Many people like doing food shopping online because they get free delivery. Free delivery is another tactic that advertisers use to get us to spend more money.
In-Store-Only Deals
In-store-only deals are deals that you won’t find online. Some shops make in-store-only deals to encourage shoppers in-store to pick up items just for their exclusivity. These deals aren’t necessarily things the shoppers need, but they want them because they know other people won’t have them.
Weekly Deals
Some shops have weekly deals where different products are on sale on alternating days of the week. This forces customers to visit the shop more than one day a week. Advertisers want you to visit their shops more than once so you have more opportunities to spend.
As Seen on TV
Some shops will sell products that have been shown on TV with the label “as seen on TV.” This label pushes customers to buy the product, as they presume it must be good since it’s been on TV. Some buy the product just to stay on trend.
Money Back Guarantee
Many shops pride themselves on offering shoppers a money-back guarantee if they’re not satisfied with the product. This gives the shopper peace of mind that they can ask for a refund if they’re not happy. But advertisers know that most shoppers won’t ask for their money back.
Seasonal Sales
Many in-store and online retailers advertise seasonal sales to their customers. The thought of a spring or summer sale is appealing to shoppers and makes them want to see what’s on offer, even if they don’t need anything for the advertised season. Just naming the seasons sparks curiosity.
Under £5
Online and in-store retailers often have a section of their shops that sells products for less than £5. Often, shoppers want to check out this section, not because they’re in need of something particular, but just because they’re intrigued by getting something they might want for cheap.