Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
bait-and-switch
noun
/ˈbeɪt ənd swɪtʃ/
Definition
A deceptive marketing tactic where a seller advertises a product at a low price but then, when the customer tries to purchase it, they are encouraged to buy a different, often more expensive product instead.
Examples
- The advertisement promised a great deal on smartphones, but when customers arrived, they found only outdated models available.
- The bait-and-switch tactic is illegal in many jurisdictions due to its misleading nature.
Meaning
The term refers to an unethical practice in sales and advertising where a seller attracts customers with a promise of a low-cost product but substitutes it with a different, usually costlier, item.
Synonyms
- deceptive advertising
- inflated pricing scheme
- fraudulent marketing
