Bait-and-switch

Bait-and-switch is a deceptive sales tactic where a seller lures in customers with an advertised, but unavailable, product (the "bait") at an attractive price. The intent is to get them to purchase a similar, higher-priced item (the "switch") instead. This often happens by claiming the advertised product is out of stock or of poor quality, and then aggressively promoting the alternative. It's a form of fraud and consumer deception, aimed at exploiting customers' initial interest for profit, violating ethical business practices and often consumer protection laws.

Bait-and-switch meaning with examples

• A car dealership advertised a low price on a base model car, but upon arrival, the salesperson claimed it was already sold out. The salesperson then aggressively promoted a more expensive model with added features. This bait-and-switch tactic caused significant frustration for the potential customers.
• The online retailer advertised a heavily discounted laptop, but when customers tried to purchase it, they received an email stating it was unavailable. The retailer then presented a much pricier model, leading many consumers to believe they were victims of bait-and-switch.
• A furniture store displayed a low-cost sofa in its advertisement. After a customer went to the store, the salesperson said the advertised sofa wasn't well made. After that, they tried to sell the customer a more expensive sofa. This is an obvious example of bait-and-switch.
• A local appliance store advertised a 'doorbuster' special on refrigerators. When customers arrived, the store's staff told them the refrigerator wasn't energy efficient and would cost more to run than a higher-end model. They pushed the higher-priced refrigerator instead. This is a classic case of bait-and-switch.