Bait and switch
Bait and switch is a deceptive marketing practice where a business attracts customers with a low-priced offer (the bait) and then tries to sell them a more expensive product or service (the switch). This tactic is used to lure customers in and make a profit by misleading them.
For example, a car dealership may advertise a car at a very low price to get customers to come to the showroom. Once the customer is there, the salesperson may tell them that the advertised car has already been sold, but they have a similar model available at a higher price.
Another common example is in retail sales, where a store advertises a popular item at a discounted price to attract customers. However, when customers arrive at the store, they are told that the item is out of stock or not available, and are encouraged to buy a more expensive alternative.
This practice is unethical and can damage the trust between businesses and customers. It is important for consumers to be aware of bait and switch tactics and to be cautious when making purchasing decisions.
Examples of bait and switch:
- Offering a free trial of a product, but requiring payment information upfront and making it difficult to cancel before being charged.
- Advertising a limited-time sale, but not having the advertised products in stock or available for purchase.
For more information on bait and switch, you can visit Wikipedia.