Fast food customers’ anger has grown significantly as restaurants continue to increase menu prices.
Restaurant chains like McDonald’s and Burger King have hiked prices multiple times over the last few years.
Inflation has played a major role in the rise of food and beverage costs, and could grow again this year.
All of this as fast food restaurants use sneaky tactics to trick customers into spending more money than they may have initially planned.
One method is called ‘charm pricing.’
Charging $9.99 instead of $10, for example, makes the buyer focus on the smaller number ($9) instead of the larger one ($10).
‘Our brains process numbers quickly and often emotionally, especially during purchasing decisions,’ Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author, told Fox News Digital.
He said customers’ minds ‘latch onto the “9” as the anchor,’ even they know it’s closer to $10.
Fast-food customers can use simple techniques to save money
‘This strategy is based on the idea that odd numbers are more trustworthy,’ an expert told New York Post of charm pricing.
It’s a reason why many menu items are not priced in full-dollar amounts.
Luckily, there are techniques customers can use to help them spend less money at the drive-thru.
Alpert said that one simple thing customers can do is to estimate the price.
‘A helpful tip is to always round up,’ he said.
‘When you see $9.99, think of it as $10.’
The expert revealed that rounding up a price ‘can reduce the emotional impact of charm pricing and help you make more rational decisions.’
Other practices include thinking carefully and avoiding impulsive spending.
Customers have grown angry over the rising costs of menu items at many fast-food chains
Fast-food customers can become members of loyalty programs that can trick them into spending more money for a so-called free items
‘Pause and ask yourself if the item is really worth the cost or if you’re being swayed by how it’s presented,’ Alpert explained.
‘Developing mindful spending habits can help you resist psychological tricks and make choices that align with your goals.’
Unfortunately, charm pricing is not the only things that customers need to watch out for.
Tactics like combo deals and loyalty programs can trick customers into spending more money than originally planned.
Two popular combo meals available for all customers to purchase is the $5 Meal Deal and Buy One, Add One for $1 offers on the McValue platform.
However, Reddit users claimed the McValue menu was ‘a whole scam‘ shortly after its January 7 launch.
‘They’re pretending like they launched a whole new “McValue” menu and they are only using the same deals they already had, and made the start price of each item slightly more than they were previously…,’ a Reddit user commented on a post.
‘Yeah, you have to pay a $1.50 more than before for 6 nuggets and small fries. Bonkers how it was advertised as these great deals and we’re spending a noticeable amount more,’ another commenter wrote.
Tactics such as combo deals and loyalty programs have been secret tactics restaurant chain’s use to trick customers into spending more money
Longtime customers also have the option to join various loyalty programs through restaurant apps.
The programs can lure in customers by advertising price-slashed menu items exclusively for members.
Rewards programs like Chick-fil-A and Popeye’s can surprise customers with free snacks if they spend a certain amount of money on items.
However, what appears to be a money saver can actually be a way to trick customers into spending more money for a so-called free item.
