14 Times Shoppers Were Tricked by Sneaky Marketing Tactics

From misleading sales tactics to hidden fees, sneaky marketing tricks prey on our impulses, leaving us with buyer's remorse instead of the bargain we thought we scored.

Alyana Aguja
May 8, 2025
5 min read

14 Times Shoppers Were Tricked by Sneaky Marketing Tactics — Bernard Hermant from Unsplash

In our consumer age, dishonest marketing strategies are more widespread than ever before, aimed at nudging our purchasing behavior and making us believe we’re getting deals that can’t be beat. From false “buy one, get one free” deals to exaggerated original prices, these tactics trick us into spending more than we want to. These promotion plans usually count on our tendency to save effort, money, or time, but ultimately leave most consumers feeling cheated instead of content with what they have bought.

1. The “Bait and Switch” of Retail Advertising

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At most retail establishments, advertisements feature a deeply discounted product, frequently advertised as a “limited-time offer” to entice consumers. Inside, however, the product is out of stock or never existed to begin with, and customers are channeled towards higher-priced options. This strategy takes advantage of impulse buying, as consumers are tempted by the prospect of a bargain.

2. False “Original Price” Markups

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Stores usually post a higher “original price” on sale items to make the discount appear larger than it really is. The product was never actually sold at that higher price, and the “sale” is just the regular price. This tricks consumers into believing they’re saving more than they really are.

3. The “Free Trial” Trap

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Most businesses provide a free trial of items such as subscriptions, beauty items, or software, but they charge a credit card first. When customers forget to cancel the free trial, they are charged a full subscription fee, usually a much higher price than they anticipate. This tactic is based on forgetfulness and unsuspecting consumers.

4. The Illusion of Scarcity

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Web pages also sometimes put up a sign such as “Only 2 left in stock!” or “Sale ends soon, hurry!” to give customers a false sense of urgency. There are usually lots of products in stock, but this strategy blinds them into instant purchases. This psychological maneuver works wonders to provoke impulse purchases.

5. “Eco-Friendly” Packaging

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Firms are eager to sell their products as environmentally friendly, with catchphrases such as “green” or “sustainable” to appeal to green shoppers. However, much of this is misleading, since the products are likely to remain toxic to the environment or have few green attributes. Consumers pay a premium for products that fail to meet the environmentally friendly hype.

6. Manipulative Store Layouts

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Retail outlets are strategically planned to spend as much money as possible, with staple food items such as milk and bread stocked at the rear. This compels customers to pass through rows of enticing, usually not-so-necessary items, and end up making impulse buys. The store layout is created to keep you inside longer, making you more likely to make extra purchases.

7. “Buy One, Get One Free” Offers

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At first glance, a “buy one, get one free” offer appears to be an incredible bargain, yet usually, the product is padded to absorb the cost of the free item. Consumers will feel they’re being given a terrific bargain when they’re really being charged full price for both. This trick is great for convincing individuals they’re winning at the deal when they’re not.

8. Hidden Fees in Subscription Services

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Streaming services and subscription boxes sometimes advertise a low “introductory” price that seems like a steal, but hidden fees like shipping or taxes are revealed later. The initial discount may also disappear after a few months, leading to higher costs down the road. This tactic is often buried in fine print, leaving consumers feeling deceived once the trial period ends.

9. Bundling Items Together

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Firms will offer multiple items in a package, such as shampoo and conditioner, for cheaper than buying them alone. However, the packaged items are sold separately for significantly less, and the savings are nominal at most. This tactic tricks consumers into believing they’re receiving a discount when they really aren’t.

10. Psychological Pricing (The $0.99 Trick)

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Marketers love to use prices ending in $.99, such as $9.99 instead of $10, to create the illusion of a bargain. This tactic tricks our brains into perceiving prices as significantly lower than they are, despite the minimal difference. The price feels like a deal, but it’s essentially just a marketing illusion.

11. The “Revolving Door” of Subscription Fees

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Some of these subscription services sign customers up with a small, one-time fee but then automatically convert them to monthly recurring payments. Usually, the fees are not disclosed entirely upfront, and the customers do not remember to cancel when they’ve forgotten the first-time offer. This gives companies a continuous source of revenue even if the service was not used after the first month.

12. Discounting Luxury Items

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Luxury brands offer “exclusive” sales, usually seasonal ones, but those “sales” are frequently just a means to move merchandise. These products tend to be overpriced initially, so the sale price will still be more than they’re worth. The temptation of luxury items at a “sale” attracts buyers willing to pay extra for perceived exclusivity.

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Companies typically employ reviews, ratings, and testimonials to generate the illusion of popularity and trustworthiness. Many of them are fake or paid reviews that do not really represent the real quality of the product. Shoppers are most likely influenced by false social proof and end up buying things that they would otherwise not have bought.

14. The “Rebate” Scam

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Others provide rebates that you must mail in forms and wait for reimbursement, but most consumers never get their money. The process is usually a hassle, with multiple steps and small print that discourages people from following through. This strategy relies on a significant number of customers forgetting to redeem the rebate or giving up on the process altogether.