bait and switch
"Bait and switch" is a common term in marketing and sales, describing a deceptive tactic to lure customers with an attractive offer, only to substitute it with a less favorable one.
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Definition
C1Marketing
(informal, business)A tactic where a product is advertised at a low price to attract customers, who are then persuaded to buy a more expensive item.
Example
- The store was accused of using a bait and switch tactic when it advertised a cheap laptop but only had expensive models in stock.
C1Sales
(formal, business)A practice where a seller lures customers with an attractive offer but substitutes it with a different, often more costly product.
Example
- Customers felt deceived by the bait and switch when the car dealership advertised low prices but had none available.
C1Ethics
(general, critical)A fraudulent method in which a seller attracts customers with a promise of a bargain, only to redirect them to a less favorable option.
Example
- The bait and switch technique is considered unethical and is illegal in many places.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "bait and switch":