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* But if I tell you the book is $39, but for $79 you can buy the book plus all these great videos and code samples, then you are comparing the two packages to e
by d0m 14y ago
* But if I tell you the book is $39, but for $79 you can buy the book plus all these great videos and code samples, then you are comparing the two packages to each other. All of a sudden $39 sounds reasonable, and you are trying to decide if the extra value in the $79 package justifies the price increase.*
This is a sophism called "False dilemma". Survey callers use it all the time.. it's so annoying. For instance:
<caller> Hi Mr X, I'm working for blabla. This survey will take 1 minute, shall we start?
(Note: They make it explicitly rude for me to say "No"; I.e. they don't open any door such as "Are you interested in continuing, etc.").
<me> No thanks, I'm busy! Have a nice day.
<caller> Sure! Should we call you Tuesday or Wednesday?
(Note: Bang, the false dilemma sophism. The caller tries to limit the option to *only those two!*. But obviously, there are hundreds of other choices.. such as:)
<me> No thanks, don't call me back I'm not interested.
<caller> (Try another annoying tactic)
<me> (Being really tired of being manipulated decide to let the phone open but not listen to it anymore. After 15 minutes, I check back to see if the caller is still here (he's not)).
Meh. It's a good marketing tactic, but it's very annoying.
- heyitsnick 14y agoI disagree. In your example, your false dilemma is trying to remove the possibility of dont answer survey (instead, you consider which day do I answer survey). That's a false dilemma. But that's not the case here. The article isn't about trying to remove the option of don't buy book. This article is about using pricing to anchor a customer's expectations of what the product should cost by offering multiple price points.