In the run-up to the New Year holidays, stores and online platforms in Kyrgyzstan are launching various promotions and significant discounts to attract customers' attention. However, experts warn that behind attractive offers may lie clever marketing tricks that cause consumers to spend more than they planned.
Consumer protection specialists note that one of the most common schemes is raising prices before a sale. Products are displayed with discounts, but their actual cost is no different from the usual price or even exceeds the average market price.
Another common trick is time limitation. Countdown timers create a sense of urgency, which can prompt impulse purchases. As a result, buyers may make decisions in a hurry, without having time to compare prices or assess the necessity of the purchase.
Offers such as "discount on the second item" and promotions requiring a purchase of a certain amount are also frequently encountered. In such cases, the first item may be sold at full price, and the actual benefit turns out to be minimal. These schemes compel buyers to add unnecessary items to their carts, increasing overall expenses.
Special attention should be paid to purchases on marketplaces. Often, the advertised discounts apply only when using a specific card, subscription, or promo code with conditions. As a result, the actual price becomes inaccessible to most buyers.
To avoid falling into the marketing trap, experts recommend:
- preparing a list of necessary purchases and setting a budget;
- comparing prices in different stores;
- checking the actual price of the product before the sale begins;
- not succumbing to the pressure of advertising and countdown timers.
