You could be spending extra money without even realising it this Bank Holiday

Are you falling for these tricks? (Picture: Getty Images)

The Bank Holiday weekend is a time for relaxing, finding a pub garden (if it’s sunny), and maybe even treating yourself to a shopping spree.

And with a little extra time on our hands, we might not even need to take our money out with us: scrolling online, we’re constantly bombarded with advertising that entices us to spend from the comfort of our sofa. Even on a lazy day, we’re not safe.

In fact, online retailers and TikTok shops are attempting to lure shoppers to spend more this Bank Holiday and innocent consumers don’t even realise, a retail expert has warned.

So what are the things we need to look out for? If you know how to, you can beat the brands at their own game.

‘Oops!’

Retail expert Stephanie Hood says that if you’ve ever received an email from a store with a subject line like ‘Oops, we made a mistake!’ most of the time this is completely on purpose.

‘Retailers are on to the fact that curiosity kills the cat, or in this case, burns a hole in the shopper’s pocket,’ Stephanie explains.

’These emails often claim a pricing error, only to offer the product at a slightly lower price than usual, creating a false sense of urgency and a deal too good to pass up.’

Flash sales

It’s easy to be tempted into the latest purchase, especially when it’s suddenly available at a knockdown price. This is massively popular on TikTok, where it’s estimated that 50% of users buy something they see in a video.

‘TikTok shops often use limited-time offers to create a sense of urgency. By promoting products that are “only available for the next 24 hours” or until supplies last, sellers can drive immediate sales as users rush to catch a deal before it disappears,’ Stephanie continues.

Product decoys

Have you ever felt yourself dithering between the cheapest and a more expensive item, only to realise there’s a third that’s closer to the more expensive but it’s not as nice?

If you’ve then bought the most expensive you’ve probably fallen for the decoy effect. 

‘If you’re comparing two jackets, one priced at £100 and another at £150, a retailer might introduce a third jacket for £145 that’s less attractive,’ Stephanie outlines.

‘The presence of this decoy tends to shift consumer preference towards the higher-priced, better-value £150 jacket, boosting the retailer’s profit margin.’

The manipulative reason you almost never see clocks in shopping centres

In nostalgic days gone by, shopping centres were a hub of social activity.

It was the ultimate way to spend evenings and weekends with friends; and it didn’t always involve spending money. It was just about hanging out. (Think Mean Girls, when Cady is invited to the mall by Regina.)

But, during one of these sessions, did you ever recall seeing a clock on the wall?

The answer is likely no – shopping centres are one of those places where time seems to evaporate, and where a twenty-minute in-and-out trip could easily turn into an hours-long spending sesh.

There’s actually a clever reason why clocks are so scarce in shopping centres – and it’s a little trick called ‘temporal distortion.’ AKA, the act of changing a person’s perception of time.

What’s trending

We all love a TikTok trend and brands know this. Store owners will make videos using the latest dance or sound trend, and then casually feature their own products in videos that they know will be shared.

‘Videos on TikTok shops are not only about showcasing products but also about creating interactive and engaging experiences. Sellers might use humour, challenges, or tutorials to demonstrate the value of their products,’ Stephanie notes.

‘This type of content tends to get more shares and likes, extending the reach of the products and enticing more purchases.’

‘Did you forget something?‘

Knowing this tactic is useful if you’re looking to save money on a purchase and don’t mind waiting a bit longer.

Stephanie says you can ‘beat the brands at their own game’ by adding items to your trolley and then leaving the website. You’ll find that within hours you’ll probably receive an email nudging you back with a small discount.

‘Retailers know that once you’ve shown interest in a product, you’re more likely to buy if you feel you’re getting a deal. This strategy effectively turns browsers into buyers by exploiting a common weakness—the fear of missing out,’ Stephanie says.

‘Brands don’t want shoppers to know these covert tactics used to persuade them to buy their products, but armed with this information on what to avoid, you can actually save money instead of spending more.’

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