Tuesday 12/15/09: It's a marketing ploy: "Limit 3"

Hmm, missed a few days, didn't I?

Today's tip is another in the "It's a marketing ploy" series. Marketing research shows that people will walk by a table with a product on sale, but will stop and buy 3 if there's a big bright sign that says "Limit 3" or however many. The psychology is that you feel like if there's a limit on how many you can get, it must be a really good buy. Don't buy into it--unless it really is a good buy! Just make sure you're getting a good product at a good price... and as an added tip, if you don't need three, don't buy three.

Thursday 12/10/09: It's a marketing ploy: "30% more!"

This is the first of an ongoing series I'll have on marketing ploys that are designed to get you to buy items but don't necessarily save you money.

Marketing research as shown that people are more inclined to buy something that has a special label on it such as "50% more!" or the like. Sometimes this means that the product contains 12 ounces instead of 8 ounces and is sold at the 8-oz price, which is a good thing. However, make sure you read the small print on the label! The other day I saw on a product, "30% more!" in big happy letters, and underneath it said in tiny letters "than the 5-oz. size." No price difference, just more product. Beware of this scheme and make sure you're getting a good deal.