Marketing Against The Grain Why free stuff makes us crazy
Apr 16, 2023
Ever wondered why a free t-shirt can send people into a frenzy? This discussion dives into the psychology behind our obsession with free offerings, revealing how they trigger irrational choices. From the 'zero price effect' to deceptive marketing tricks, the allure of free isn't all it's cracked up to be. It also highlights how consumers often prefer free shipping over price cuts and points out hidden costs behind seemingly generous promotions. Prepare to see the concept of 'free' in a whole new light!
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Costco Waffle Brawl
- In 2015, a fight broke out at a Costco in Southern California over free Nutella waffle samples.
- A 20-something punched a 78-year-old after an argument over the free samples.
The Power of Free
- The incident highlights how "free" can trigger irrational behavior, rooted in behavioral psychology.
- Free items make us act differently than we would with normally priced items.
The Zero Price Effect
- A study offered Hershey's Kisses for one cent and Lindt truffles for 14 cents, with the truffles being more popular.
- When the Kisses became free, they were chosen more often, even though the truffles were only 13 cents.