Life Kit: Money Don't fall for these marketing tactics this holiday season
Nov 25, 2025
Brian Vines, a passionate reporter at Consumer Reports, dives into the world of holiday shopping tactics. He exposes the urgency tactics used by retailers to push impulsive buys and shares practical advice like waiting 24 hours before making a purchase. Listeners learn about price anchoring, misleading discounts, and how to effectively compare prices. Brian also highlights clever strategies for saving on apparel and the importance of understanding marketing's emotional appeals. Equip yourself with knowledge to navigate holiday deals smartly!
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Reading The Promotions Tab
- Mariel Segarra and Brian Vines read marketing email subject lines and laugh at common tactics.
- They highlight ubiquitous messages like 'exclusive' and 'last chance' to show predictable urgency attempts.
Pause On Urgent-Sounding Sales
- Pause before buying when you feel a rush or urgency from a sale message.
- Wait 24 hours for purchases over $50 or $100 to see if you still want them.
A Listener's Waiting Rule
- Linda Myers waits before buying and checks return and shipping policies for items over $20.
- She only purchases if the return cost and shipping make the risk acceptable.