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I’m very interested in knowing what proportion of retail revenue comes from these types of dark patterns. Is it even possible to come up with a number? If so, I
by afpx 8y ago
I’m very interested in knowing what proportion of retail revenue comes from these types of dark patterns. Is it even possible to come up with a number? If so, I’d be willing to help fund the research.
The other day a friend and I were discussing the “take X% off your entire order” coupons. These seem to be very common, lately. She mentioned that she recent used one on a cart of $100 in items. She expected a $20 discount. But, to her surprise, she only received $2 off. Apparently all but one of her items were ‘restricted’ items.
It seems like many companies find it easier to trick people than to actually provide great service or products.
- tyingq 8y ago"Free shipping" is a funny one. For smaller businesses, it's basically subsidizing far away customers with nearby customer money. I offer it not because I want to deceive people, but because we sell more that way. People like predictable upfront prices without having to tell anyone their location. It is, of course, not "free". We just calculate the average shipping cost and pad the price.
- ghaff 8y agoPart of it is that "free shipping," at least over a fairly modest purchase dollar amount, has become so prevalent from most large retailers that dealing with a shipping charge that's unknown going in and/or that gives sticker shock checking out turns a lot of people off.
- ip26 8y agoThe lack of free shipping can also be a clue that this retailer sends $3 widgets via $20 FedEx, or this moderately large item will be $100 freight. In other words, free shipping sellers work hard to find cheap shipping. Those that do not offer free shipping seem less inclined to do so.
- hopler 8y agoHow much does shipping cost actually vary? I always assumed that first//last mile handling of a package dominates over the fuel/depreciation cost share of driving the item farther.
- tbirdz 8y agoFor usps rates, see here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hyyaAYoi2P_CRWwrUJhBPOaJC5YBJuwIZtg4OVQz1NE/edit#gid=1968755870 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hyyaAYoi2P_CRWwrUJhB... I don't know how much ups/fedex costs.
- tyingq 8y agoIt's much higher for large packages to go long distances vs short. For smaller packages, it matters less, especially because USPS has their flat rate boxes, and UPS/FedEx have to compete with them. UPS and FedEx charge for large packages by size, not weight. They call it "dimensional weight". And ding heavily for big+far.
- dalore 8y agoAt our supermarkets the restricted stuff tends to be stuff like alcohol, cigarettes and scratch cards (and other stuff but that's what I remember). Otherwise people would abuse the discount/coupons/points bonus.