Exposing Marketing Tricks: How to Make Smarter Buying Decisions
Discover the clever tricks manufacturers use to mislead consumers and learn how to outsmart them with these practical tips. From deceptive packaging to misleading labels, this guide will help you make informed decisions every time you shop.
Introduction
Ever found yourself feeling triumphant about scoring a bargain or picking up a “natural” product, only to realise later it wasn’t as good as it seemed? Marketing experts are masters of manipulation, using clever tactics to influence your buying decisions. While their strategies are creative, they’re not always in your best interest. This blog dives into 23 common marketing tricks and shares practical tips to help you become a smarter shopper.
23 Clever Marketing Tricks (and How to Outsmart Them)
1. Check the Weight, Not the Size
Packaging can be deceiving. A bag or bottle may appear bigger, but always check the weight listed on the package. Many products with “25% more” claims might have the same weight as their previous versions—just in bulkier packaging.
2. Analyse the Ingredients List
Ingredients are listed in order of quantity. The first two or three ingredients make up the majority of the product. Ignore the fancy-sounding ones at the bottom—they’re often in trace amounts.
3. Beware of “100% Juice” Claims
Labels like “100% Juice” often include a catch. Read the fine print to spot additives like water, sugar, or flavouring.
4. Deceptive Outer Layers
Products like cheese bread may look indulgent on the outside, but the “cheesy” part might only be on top. Don’t judge by appearances.
5. Packaging Shapes Influence Perception
Slim, tall bottles often appear healthier, and products in humanoid-shaped containers seem more premium. Be aware that packaging shape doesn’t affect quality.
6. Pretty Pictures vs Reality
Images of fresh fruit or green fields on packaging can mislead you into thinking a product is healthier than it is. Always check the nutritional content.
7. Eco-Friendly Packaging Misconceptions
Kraft paper packaging may look eco-friendly, but it doesn’t guarantee the product inside is better or sustainable.
8. Optical Illusions in Packaging
Manufacturers use empty spaces, inflated bags, or high labels to create the illusion of more product. Always examine the actual contents.
9. Misleading Freshness Claims
Terms like “fresh” or “farm fresh” don’t always mean what they imply. Fresh meat, for example, just means it hasn’t been frozen.
10. Sustainability Buzzwords
“100% biodegradable” often refers only to the contents, not the packaging. Check for recyclable materials in the fine print.
11. Small Serving Sizes
Calorie and sugar content are often shown for unrealistically small portions. Who eats just 15 crisps in one sitting? Calculate for a realistic serving size.
12. Misleading “0” Claims
“0 trans fat” or “0 saturated fat” labels may still contain small amounts per serving, which add up over time.
13. Exaggerated Size Comparisons
Claims like “twice as big” are often untrue. Compare previous versions to see if you’re truly getting more.
14. “Healthy” Ingredient Blends
Manufacturers create blends of healthy-sounding ingredients to push unhealthy ones (like sugar) further down the ingredient list. Watch out for terms like “protein mix” or “special blend.”
15. The Sugar Splitting Trick
To disguise high sugar content, manufacturers split sugar into different forms (e.g., fructose, sucrose) and scatter them in the ingredient list.
16. Misleading Flyers and Ads
Stores may use flyers that resemble parking tickets or ads that look like official documents to grab your attention.
17. Tiny Vitamin Claims
Products boasting added vitamins or minerals may contain only minuscule amounts, often listed at the bottom of the ingredients.
18. “Lower Calories” Isn’t Always Healthy
“Reduced fat” or “lower calories” might only mean it’s less than the previous version but still packed with unhealthy ingredients.
19. The “Natural” Labelling Myth
Labels like “all-natural” don’t guarantee that the product is free of artificial substances. They might simply be using vague terminology.
20. Rebranding Harmful Ingredients
Unhealthy substances are often renamed to sound harmless. For instance, sucralose is just a fancy name for an artificial sweetener.
21. “Naturally Sweetened” Deceptions
This label might mean the product contains plain refined sugar disguised as a “natural” ingredient.
22. Colours Influence Perceptions
Packaging colours can manipulate you. Studies show that green-labelled products are perceived as healthier than those with red labels.
23. “Made With” Labelling Tricks Claims like “made with maple syrup” might mean only trace amounts of the real ingredient are included.
