this post was submitted on 12 Nov 2024
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People suck at math and this is how they confuse people into not caring what the actual price becomes when they have to add multiple items together.
What’s 19.99 + 21.75 + 4.99 + 3.99 + 1.99? Can the common person do that math in their head while grocery shopping? What about adding the tax to that total? Not a chance.
Most people probably don’t even know what the sales tax is in their own state.
Most people dont just round up after seeing the price?
Most people round down. Their brain locks on to the 1 of 19.99, and approximates it to 10.00. We need to actively counter this to see it as 20.00. It's a skill most people don't apply all the time, and a number can't even do.
Once you can do it reliably, it's mind-boggling that others can't, but it's still a learnt skill, that needs to be applied.
Most of the people i saw round down notice that and then round up
It's a subconscious thing. It's how our brain is wired. It's a bit like advertising. Most people don't like ads. However, when confronted my 2 similar products, we will go with the familiar one. The source of that familiarity is irrelevant, ads make it familiar, just the same as using it, or a recommendation.
It's possible to override both of these effects, but that requires a level of conscious effort. I can almost guarantee you've been caught by both at different times. You just didn't notice (since noticing would allow you to correct).
Basically, $19.99 is in the category "under $20". $20.00 is in "over $20". Without conscious correction, you act on this.