What's your favorite pricing gimmick?

Question

Now, we all know that these are all the same deal. But doesn't one of them *feel* like more of a bargain to you? (Assume it's a $10 item for sale).

$9.99 - today only!

Buy one for $19.99, get one FREE!

50% off the regular price of $19.99

BONUS BUY! 3 for $29.99

Or is there another gimmick that appeals to your thriftiness?

Bonus Question: what was the last thing you OVERBOUGHT because, well, it sounded so cheap when you were in the store? (I overbought Yoplait yogurt at 10 for $10.00. And I don't even like yogurt that much...)

Answer 1

The worst of them is the 'buy now but don't pay anything until 2010'. Yeah that's a great idea until you work out how much interest you have to pay by 2010.  

Answer 2

I think the most successful gimmick of late is the BOGO campaign for that shoe store.  If you think about it, you're getting a total of 25% off of both pairs.  I'd rather buy one pair for 25% off than to buy one and get on for half off.  I don't usually need two pairs of new shoes.  

Answer 3

"Yours for just 3 easy payments of $39.99!" Sounds like a great deal until you add it up!

My DH falls for the "Buy one get one free" all the time at the market. Guess how many eggs and boxes of fabric softener we have?

I fell for the "All day pass" coupon at Macy's yesterday. I really don't need any summer pj's but got 3 pair plus a lot more that I really didn't need. But I got 15-20% off everything! Just think how much money I saved!

Answer 4

Kroger does this all the time...milk regular price $3.19 a gallon...Sale item 3 half gallons $5.

Answer 5

I wait until the season is over & the $9.99 item is priced at 50% off or less.  I don't care if it's last years color & design.  I just want it to fit & be made of a comfy material.  I won't buy anything unless I need it & it's reasonably priced.  

When I had money, it was different.  I had no qualms forking out $200 for one piece of the Carole Little Line.  I loved the fit & I was into flaunting myself...now, I just want comfort at a  price that doesn't make me feel guilty or angry if I get a stain on it.  I save for a good pair of shoes over clothing.  I am not the type of person to fall for silly sales gimmicks.  I am not the norm of the average shopper who often overspends then regrets it...I can't afford to make those types of mistakes on a fixed income.

I'm a penny pincher.  The last time I overbought had to be on a 35 pack of bottled water.  By the time I paid the CRV deposit on each bottle, that sales price was far more than it should have been...about 100% over!  I'll never do that again.  I go with the gallon & 2.5 gallon sizes & save a ton of money over the smaller singles & refill those smaller bottles that I paid dearly for!  Beware of those 3 hour sales!

Answer 6

The 10 for $10.00 is a good one.  Why doesn't the store just say $1.00 each?  One sign that seems to get return customers in a tavern is "Free Beer Tomorrow".

Answer 7

I'd buy the Yoplait from you if you strike me a deal, how about I'll take the 10 yogurts and you take off 95% of what you paid for them and the addition 5% we will call a Senior discount? Deal or no Deal? ;)

The .99  always did aggravate me. So many people will see 5.99 and say it is only 5 dollars..sorry, but it's more like 6.00. It's a sale ploy to make you think you are saving. We aren't stupid out here! :)

Answer 8

Table salt (normally .38 cents a quart) Three for $1.20 !

Answer 9

I like the "Buy 2 for $5 (or 1 for $2.50, written in small print on the sale sign)".  How ridiculous!  Do retailers honestly think I am so open to suggestion that I WILL buy 2, just because the sign told me to?  Buy one, get one free always makes me roll my eyes.  Does anyone honestly believe that the second item is really FREE?  

However, I am a sucker for coupons.  If I can find a way to use a coupon in conjunction with a retailer's sale price, I feel victorious.  Ridiculous, I know.

Answer 10

You nailed the first one. The second would be when stores raise their prices (say, right before Christmas) & then announce a big sale where they lower them to the price they were before.

Answer 11

I love it when they say, "Sign up now for 30$, and the (insert name here) system will be yours free!"

lol

Answer 12

Note  Yoplait yogurt is only 79-85cents where i live. I usually only buy it when on sale for 50cents each!  I worked in a small grcery years ago& if we had something to get rid of,we put it in a basket & set it out & even with a sign with the regular price,it sold.

Answer 13

I kid you not.  There was a sale in our local department store with 33 1/3 cents off the original price.