Life Kit Don't fall for these marketing tactics this holiday season
33 snips
Nov 25, 2025 
Brian Vines, a savvy reporter at Consumer Reports, shares his expertise on navigating holiday marketing tactics. He reveals how fake urgency tactics, like 'last chance' sales, can trigger impulse buys. Brian explains the concept of price anchoring, where retailers inflate original prices to make discounts seem better. He advises waiting and asking critical questions before purchases, while suggesting smart strategies like using price-comparison tools and considering secondhand options. Emotional buying is explored, along with creative, budget-friendly gift alternatives.
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Pause Before Falling For Urgency
- Pause when a sale creates urgency and ask whether there's real urgency or just FOMO.
- Wait 24 hours for purchases over $50–$100 to test if the deal still matters to you.
Linda Myers' Wait-And-Check Routine
- Linda Myers waits hours before buying items over $20 and checks return and shipping costs first.
- She only purchases if the total cost and return policy still feel acceptable to her.
Don't Be Fooled By Price Anchors
- Ignore anchors and focus on the actual final price you will pay for the item.
- Compare that price across stores and time before deciding if it's truly a deal.