Psychological Pricing Strategy
Psychological pricing is a strategy used by marketers to influence customers’ purchasing decisions by altering the perceived value of a product or service. This pricing strategy typically employs psychological cues such as lower prices ending in odd numbers, pricing items in relation to one another, and using special signs to highlight reductions.
The most common psychological pricing technique is to use prices ending in 99, 95 or 97 cents, or the use of the amount 9. For example, the store might offer an item priced at $7.99 rather than $8.00. The difference between these prices is a mere penny – but to consumers, that one cent drop may mean that the product is a ‘bargain’.
A second technique is to utilize “anchor” prices - or super-high prices meant to make the ‘real’ price look cheaper by comparison. This is commonly used by car dealerships or on luxury fashion websites, where the company will mark up an item to a much higher amount, then offer a discount, making the final price appear more reasonable. For example, a store may offer a t-shirt for $59.99 and mark it down from $85 - implying that if you don’t get it then, you’ll regret it.
Market sales are another psychological pricing strategy used often in the retail sector. Special deals and extended prices on select items are designed to encourage shoppers to buy more than they otherwise would have. For example, a store may offer 3 items for the price of 2 – enticing shoppers to purchasing more items than they originally planned.
Psychological pricing is also used to suggest exclusivity. When we see a product marked ‘limited edition’ or ‘exclusive’ this may make the item appear more desirable and can draw customers in. This particular type of psychological pricing supposes that a higher price tag implies quality and boosts the perceived value of the item.
At the end of the day, psychological pricing is used to increase profits and encourage customers to make purchases. It is a useful pricing strategy when employed correctly, as it can attract customers based on their emotions and have a significant impact on sales.
Psychological pricing is an immensely effective pricing strategy that has been in use for many years. It leverages human psychology and behavior in order to entice customers to purchase products. Consumers often respond more favorably to prices that contain odd numbers, are lower than expected, or are part of a special deal. By understanding and applying the right psychological pricing techniques, marketers can significantly increase conversions and boost profits.