In today’s economic climate, consumer spending can be a tricky trend to forecast. Recently I learned that there are psychologists who specifically study consumer mind sight and are paid boocko bucks to tell retailers things like ending prices in 9, 99 or 95 sets off some sort of “good deal” alert in our head. Evidently we’ve been primed subconsciously and its believed specific formatting in prices sways our willingness to buy.

Since we all process numbers differently, its tough to nail down exactly what goes into consumer reasoning when making a purchase.  Rather than focusing on specifics, researchers say its all about perception.  How we PRECEIVE a price can set off a few “triggers” that have been studied and proven to produce sales.

Some of the perceptions believed to trigger our need to shop till we drop include:
1. Savings perception: Ending prices in 9’s and 5’s are looked at more favorably by consumers
2. Value perception: If a consumer thinks they are getting something free or some sort of bonus with a purchase, they are more likely to buy. The BOGO’s or X% more free deals fall into this category.
3. Discount perception: Considered to be one of the more alluring triggers because of perception of a good value for the money, % discounts fall into this trigger.
4. Unbundling perception: Probably the most deceptive trigger, the perception here is that we are more likely to buy if a price is “unbundled” or spread out into routine payments. Studies suggest that when faced with the exact same price for the exact same product, we are more likely to buy if the price is divided up. The typical insurance policy billing is an example here. Rather than charging $1,200 every year for insurance, there is a $100 a month charge, which seems more reasonable to a buyer.

Pricing can be a complex subject. Retailers need to sell to make a profit while pricing merchandise attractively. I knew price tag numbers weren’t random, but who would have thought that psychologists are involved?

I am part of a team that is participating in a March for Dimes for Babies walk on April 26th 2009.  Check out my sponsor homepage here: MLLauffer March of Dimes Homepage You can donate directly from my personal webpage with a credit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my webpage

Today is Lauren’s Sketch Challenge day! To the right you can see the sketch. I admit it was rough. Luckily I had a few Cuttlebug embossing folders laying on my desk and something clicked. I embossed this beautiful shimmery pomegranate paper by The Paper Company with  Floral embossing folders and added a few rhinestones to the flower centers. I found similar colored prima flowers and added rhinestones to their center also. Of Course I had to use ribbon on the card – its a silver organza.

I LOVE the fall and I love making fall cards.  For Lauren’s Saturday Sketch I choose a gold background, shimmery brown accent and beautiful maple branch sticker from Jolees Boutique. The picture does not do this card justice. Its stunning in person … TRUST ME.  Click the image to see a bigger prettier version. Here it looks kind of plain. The card stock is all shimmery and sparkly in person and I scalloped the edge as suggested in the sketch.

Oh by the way I decided to start posting the sketch so that you can see what I’m working with so as promised here it is:

I used my favorite binding technique – ribbon. Mostly because my gold card stock was already cut into these rectangles and inorder to make a true card I needed to stick 2 pieces together some how.

Tonight we picked laminant flooring for our living room and kitchen. We are going to install it our selves which should be fun. We have a week off October 6th to the 10th we plan on completing several big home projects during that. I figure if Ty Penntington can build a house in a week surely we can make a few improvements!

My second Sketch Challenge in 1 week! Wow I’m on a roll with these! Sketch challenges are excellent for churning your creative juices. The best advice anyone has ever given me when it comes to stamping was to try every sketch challenge you possibly can.  I have only posted 2 attempts but I have used many sketch challenges for inspiration.

I decided on a another Halloween card. Autumn is the most wonderful time of the year!

 Paper: Black , White, Orange and Purple card stock, Halloween black dots patterned paper from K& company
Embellishments:  Stickles
Stamps: Pumpkin and Trick or Treat from Papertrey Inks’ Spooky Sweets