Shops are designed so you buy more than you planned.
Direct answer
Retailers use predictable psychology to influence what you buy. Examples are anchoring (a high "was" price), scarcity ("only 2 left"), decoy pricing, charm pricing like 9.99, free shipping thresholds and store layouts that route you past tempting items. Knowing them helps you resist.
8 common tricks
- Anchoring: a high "original" price makes the sale price look great.
- Scarcity: low stock or countdowns create urgency.
- Decoy pricing: a middle option is priced to make a bigger one look like a deal.
- Charm pricing: 9.99 feels cheaper than 10.
- Free shipping thresholds: you add items to qualify.
- Bundles: you buy more to "save".
- Store layout: essentials at the back, treats near the till.
- Social proof: "most popular" or "people also bought".
How to stay in control
- Make a list and a budget.
- Compare unit prices.
- Look for the real price history.
- Walk away and decide later.
Where Teyro fits
Teyro's How to Stop Impulse Buying course turns this into short lessons you can play in a few minutes a day. It has 50 lessons, and you can start free.
The bottom line
When you can name the tactic, it loses most of its power.
This is general education, not personal financial advice.
