99 pence

shifty_uk · 30 May 2008 at 19:57

Could anyone tell me why 99 pence has always been so widely used in the pricing of goods? For example "Computer - £350.99".

Is it still used simply to make prices seem more attractive to consumers? As it's better to say £3.99 then £4, I suppose... Or, is it used for some other reason like perhaps to keep 1 pence coins in circulation or something...I don't know!

Van Hellseek · 30 May 2008 at 19:58

simply to make prices seem more attractive to consumers

yup, that simple.

Skidder · 30 May 2008 at 19:59

shifty_uk said:
Is it still used simply to make prices seem more attractive to consumers?

that's my understanding

Alex UK · 30 May 2008 at 19:59

It's a psychological trick, which arguably doesn't work these days.

Cyanide · 30 May 2008 at 20:01

I was under the impression that it makes it harder for staff to rip off shops by slipping the odd pound into their pockets.

Tom|Nbk · 30 May 2008 at 20:01

Yea physcological pricing. I'd also argue that it DOES work but there are more effective pricing strategies.

PinkFloyd · 30 May 2008 at 20:03

I'd much rather hear £4 than 3.99.

Means I don't have to carry bloody shrapnel!

PhillyDee · 30 May 2008 at 20:12

PinkFloyd said:
I'd much rather hear £4 than 3.99.

Means I don't have to carry bloody shrapnel!

Just pay with a card

.

Westyfield2 · 30 May 2008 at 20:15

shifty_uk said:
simply to make prices seem more attractive to consumers

Yup,
Some people when they see £299.99 start thinking "Ah that's a bargain, the other place's price was in the 300's but this is only two'something" :rolleyes:

Whereas Mr. Sensible sees £299.99 and reads it as £300.

shifty_uk · 30 May 2008 at 20:17

Alex UK said:
It's a psychological trick, which arguably doesn't work these days.

Yeah, I agree. It's a bit silly to still be using this method especially with todays price conscious consumers. Surely MOST people nowadays will know that there's only a 1 pence difference between £3.99 and £4. :rolleyes:

Sgt_Pepper · 30 May 2008 at 20:18

Westyfield2 said:
Mr. Sensible sees £299.99 and reads it as £300.

I see £299.99 and tell the missus it was only £200

AJUK · 30 May 2008 at 20:19

The political geniuses that are the Moster Raving Loony Party have proposed the introduction of a 99p coin to deal with the madness that is pricing.

PinkFloyd · 30 May 2008 at 20:28

PhillyDee said:
Just pay with a card .

That's even more annoying!

Having worked in a pub I used to hate people who would try and buy a pint or 2 with a card. Having to explain it has to be over a 5er. Then having to find something that will make it over a 5er by the minimum amount. Then waiting 2 minutes for the card machine to sort itself out..... :mad:

InvaderGIR · 30 May 2008 at 20:29

Went to an icecream van the other day...and the good old 99 was £1.00.

It's wrong when you ask for a 99 and you pay £1.00

InvG

bennyboy2606 · 30 May 2008 at 20:31

shifty_uk said:
Could anyone tell me why 99 pence has always been so widely used in the pricing of goods? For example "Computer - £350.99".

Is it still used simply to make prices seem more attractive to consumers? As it's better to say £3.99 then £4, I suppose... Or, is it used for some other reason like perhaps to keep 1 pence coins in circulation or something...I don't know!

Its called pycological pricing, I.e. a £9.99 will seem a lot cheaper to a consumer than a £10 yet only 1p less. Learnt that in business stuides woop

shifty_uk · 30 May 2008 at 20:32

PinkFloyd said:
That's even more annoying!

Having worked in a pub I used to hate people who would try and buy a pint or 2 with a card. Having to explain it has to be over a 5er. Then having to find something that will make it over a 5er by the minimum amount. Then waiting 2 minutes for the card machine to sort itself out.....

Haven't most places started accepting <£5 on cards now?

Could be worse...I get students asking for their discount on £1 pieces of sale jewellery, takes ages sorting it out on the tills. Women.... :mad:

Tefal · 30 May 2008 at 20:33

I'd love a 99p coin

Lopéz · 30 May 2008 at 20:33

The 99 ice cream came out in the 1930's and it certainly wasn't 99p then!

InvaderGIR · 30 May 2008 at 20:37

Lopéz said:
The 99 ice cream came out in the 1930's and it certainly wasn't 99p then!

For all of my childhood it was 99p though (the 90's), so to me the price fits the name...and should, especially for what you get for the money, you get so little for the cash.

InvG

Haiku · 30 May 2008 at 20:37

Cyanide said:
I was under the impression that it makes it harder for staff to rip off shops by slipping the odd pound into their pockets.

That was the original purpose but these days it's just to entice dim folk.