We’ve all done it. We’ve all bought something because of a sales tactic. It might have been a small $1 purchase, or it might have been something as big as a house or a car.
Next time you are about to buy something, I want you to think about the possible sales tactics that are surrounding you. There might just be one sales tactic, or there may be hundreds. Below are common sales tactics that you may be falling for.
Only thinking about the monthly payment.
Whether you are about to buy a car, a house, an appliance, or something else, many companies try to sell their customers on the monthly payment. This is because the monthly payment usually sounds much better than the overall payment.
Paying a monthly payment of $100 sounds better than an overall price of $10,000.
Or, some stores even break your payments into a weekly payment, such as $25 a week. This makes people think that this is much more doable, even though they are actually just paying the same amount of money.
Before you get so focused on the monthly payment, you really need to think about the overall cost. How much will that car actually cost you if you have an 84 month loan? How much will that laptop cost if you are paying for it weekly? How much more money in interest will you be paying?
Once you think about the overall cost, you may think twice and decide not to buy the item.
A limited-time sale.
Some stores like to create a sense of urgency and make their customers feel like this is the only sale that they will ever have.
However, that is usually not the case. Usually stores have revolving sales that are timed, so you don’t HAVE to buy something at that time, because there will most likely be a sale again.
There is a store in the St. Louis area that used to always have a “Going Out Of Business Sale.” This sale happened every month for what seemed like a decade!
Instead, only buy an item if you actually need it. If you are only buying it because it’s on sale, is it really a good value?
Relying on the mirror at a clothing store.
Have you ever bought a clothing item, think you look great in it, only to get home and try it on again and think that it looks horrible?
Yup, this happens a lot.
Many clothing stores have “special” mirrors or weird lighting that will make you look better in their store. This way you will buy the item and then they’ve made the sale.
If this has happened to you, don’t be afraid to return the item. I know so many people who hate returning items and just lose money because of this. Just return it!
Buying an extended warranty.
For many expensive products, an extended warranty is offered. These usually cover the product after the original manufacturer’s warranty is over. Extended warranties are usually significantly overpriced, and you may not even have the product anymore when you actually need to use the extended warranty.
We made a mistake buying an extended warranty before: We bought a lawn mower a few years ago and decided to buy the extended warranty as well since we always have bad luck with expensive items. We paid extra for the warranty, and the lawn mower actually broke after the FIRST use.
We brought the lawn mower back, and it turned out that the original warranty nor the extended warranty covered what happened. The extended warranty only covered the repair if we would have replaced all the wiring after EACH time we used the lawn mower (which was once). It was ridiculous. Many extended warranties have weird clauses like this, so always make sure to look into that before purchasing an extended warranty.
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes an extended warranty is a great idea. However, other times they are just a huge waste of money. If you do decide to buy an extended warranty, always try to negotiate the price of it, because it can most likely be negotiated (whether you are at a car dealership, Home Depot, or somewhere else – it does work).
One time we were offered a warranty when buying a dryer. We said no, and then the salesperson dropped the price significantly. We ended up buying it because I think it was around $12. It was probably still a waste, but at $12 it was hard to say no on an expensive appliance.
Getting items for “free.”
Have you ever bought something because you would get another item for free?
Maybe you fell for a B1G1 sale. This is where you buy one item and get another for free, but you probably don’t even need that second item.
Or, maybe you are told that if you bought a $15 item that you would get an extra $25 in free product.
This is a sales tactic that MANY places use. Before you fall for it, determine if you actually need the product and all of the extras.
What sales tactics have you fallen for? Have you ever regretted a purchase because of one?
Are you in debt because of a certain sales tactic? Tell us!
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Clarisse @ Make Money Your Way says
Yes, I was trapped for how many times about the mirror tactic! When I fitted in the fitting room and tried the clothes that I chose, it really looks great on me, but when I arrived at home, how come the clothes can even make me double on my size! Lol!
Michelle S. says
Haha yeah I hate that trick!
Beth says
The monthly payment one is sneaky! I surprised a car salesmen a couple of weeks ago by saying i’m not interested in just the monthly payment, I want to see the total cost and the total cost of ownership! If you say your monthly budget for a car payment is $x, they’ll try to sell you the biggest car possible with the longest loan term possible!
Michelle S. says
I think it’s crazy how some people get 7 or 8 year car loans. Who would want to pay a ton of money on an 8 year old car when that time comes!?
Glen @ Monster Piggy Bank says
I am terrible when it comes to the extended warranty. I used to always buy it (never checked what it actually covered) and then I would go and lose the receipt, so when the thing died I would end up buying a new one anyway…
Needless to say – I stopped buying extended warranties.
Michelle S. says
Yup, same here!
Liz says
We’ve had to purchase TWO vehicles in the last year. It drives me crazy the way they kept trying to push an extended warranty on us. In addition, he kept talking about how inexpensive it was. He was showing the additional monthly charge.. Only $xxx extra a month. Adds up pretty quickly : )
Michelle S. says
Yes, it definitely adds up quickly.
Anne says
I’m the biggest sucker for these things. Especially buying clothes. I always mean to return them and I somehow never find myself back at the store. My closet has tons of things I’ve never worn and will never wear!
Michelle S. says
I am guilty of not returning things sometimes as well. However, for the most part, I always at least TRY to. I do have a few things in my closet that I know I will never wear and they still have the tags attached. It makes me cringe whenever I see them because it’s wasted money!
Beth says
Have you thought of selling them online? You won’t get all of your money back, but at least the item will be useful to someone.
Or organize a clothing swap with friends?
Michelle S. says
Yes, I often sell stuff online or to consignment stores, but I’ve just been super lazy lately and have fallen behind. I do have around 3 big bags of clothing that I have gathered that I need to sell though!
Holly@ClubThrifty says
I’m sure I have fallen for all of those at one time or another. Never again! (hopefully)
Michelle S. says
Haha I hope not!
John @ Wise Dollar says
Wow, that’s crazy about your mower! The B1G1 sales can definitely be tempting at times and I know that I’ve fallen for it before. I usually just ask myself if I would buy it anyway, or if it’s just for the “free” item and usually it’s the former which helps me not buy it.
Michelle S. says
Yes, I do the same thing. Sometimes you just have to stop and think before you purchase!
Kayla @ Shoeaholicnomore says
I dont generally buy extended warranties anymore because I usually loose the paperwork and/or receipt. 🙁 I didn’t know stores actually have “trick” mirrors to make you look better. That’s just crazy!
Michelle S. says
Yes, there are actually MANY stores out there that have trick mirrors. It’s sad!
Anne says
I do this too! I can’t even think of how many times I’ve been suckered into buying extended warranties only to forget I ever paid for them. No more warranties for me, thanks.
Michelle S. says
Yup, no more for me as well – unless they are free! 🙂
CeCe @Pink Sunshine says
We always struggle with to buy or not to buy the extended warranty. They even offer it on furniture!! They will try to sell you anything.
Michelle S. says
Yes, we always struggle as well. We always have bad luck with things breaking on us in the very beginning!
Aldo R says
I’ve fallen for all of these except for the “mirror.” I don’t usually try on clothes at the store. I want to be in and out as fast as possible and guys’ sizes are pretty standard. There are some times where I need to go back but that doesn’t happen often.
Out of those that I’ve fallen for, the “smaller monthly payment” was the worst. Those smaller payments are countered with longer pay periods or higher interest. Either way, at the end you end up paying more.
Michelle S. says
Yes, so many people fall for the smaller monthly payment. It’s sad really, but it is an easy thing to fall for.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup says
I have fallen for every one except for the mirror one. They are good, but now I have learned my lesson. I laugh when I see these tactics now.
Michelle S. says
Yes, I laugh when I see these as well. They must work though or they wouldn’t be doing them.
Brian @ Luke1428 says
I hate it when sales people use the “fear factor” technique. They tell you a story that ends negatively to get you to bite on a product. Funny/sad thing is that one really works.
Michelle S. says
Yeah I don’t like the fear factor technique as well. I also don’t like it when they make you feel bad so you feel like you have to purchase or they won’t be able to eat that night!
Beth says
I have a rule of thumb for this one: the more pressure someone puts on me, the better the deal is for them than me.
Michelle S. says
That’s a good rule to have Beth!
Michelle S. says
Yes, I was hoping that someone would bring up smell, sound and color. And yes, it’s not just sales people!
Michelle S. says
Yup! I won’t lie, sometimes it gets me as well. 🙁
Raquel@Practical Cents says
Ugh! The extended warranty is such a waste most of the time. I never buy them. I always save my receipts and I learned along time ago to never take the tags off the clothes until I actually wear them. My sister always misplaces her receipts then has a hard time returning items. It pays to be organized.
Michelle S. says
Yes! Wes is horrible with receipts as well. It kills me because I always ask for a receipt from him and he never knows where he put it. Thankfully he is getting better haha
Christine Berry - Wealth Way Online says
The trick mirrors are so sneaky, with their special lighting and everything… there are some store mirrors that aren’t “tricky mirrors” and sometimes I wish they were the more flattering counterparts ha ha ha
Michelle S. says
Haha I wish the whole world was a tricky mirror! 🙂
Kim says
I’ve fallen for all these, especially the overly flattering mirror. The payment thing is a huge issue that gets so many people. Maybe there is a app that could tell people in flashing lights how much the true cost is. I don’t do payments anymore, but that would have been helpful back in the day!
Michelle S. says
Yes, there should be something that tells people the true cost. Many sales contracts include that but they are always in such small print that everyone misses it.
Stephen Juarez says
Seems funny cause we were victimized by those monthly payment ploys, my parents were victimized by those rent-to-own properties for less than 500 dollars.Not to mention that it will take us more than a decade to pay for the actual price.