Why do gas stations sell gas with the 9/10 of a penny per gallon? Do they think that we're too stupid to figure out that it is almost a penny more?
Why don't they just round it up to the next penny?
by 
Dee
ANSWERS: 4
-
Here's what I believe happened to start that trend --- someone thought that if retailers sold an item for $1.99 that it would be purchased before the same item selling at $2.00, because your mind sees the dollar quicker and dismisses the 99-cents. So, supposedly, we're made to think the item costs less than the $2.00 one. I know myself sometimes say, "Oh, look. This is a dollar cheaper", before I realize its only a penny cheaper. (Then I really feel like a dunce!) This is why they don't round the $1.99 up a penny. *SMILES*
-
Remember that this practice started when gas was 12 cents a gallon or thereabouts. And they do it for the same reason all prices end in 9--because it works. Many years ago Little Golden Books noticed that sales took a sharp upswing when they IN-creased the price from 25 cents to 29. In other words, they do it because it works.
-
Because they think we're too stupid to figure out that it's almost a penny more.
-
I've seen it without the 9/10 tacked on but don't remember where. Probably outside of the USA.
Thriftymaid RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC