There is an academic literature in game theory dealing with this topic, the key text is called "Repeated Games and Reputation." The difference from your example

There is an academic literature in game theory dealing with this topic, the key text is called "Repeated Games and Reputation." The difference from your example and the OP is that OP's experience isn't a repeated purchase (to my understanding). For Van Halen and brown M&Ms, there are elements of leverage in negotiation and other elements of reputation.