What is bait pricing considered to be?

Bait pricing is considered an illegal practice of advertising unrealistically low prices to attract customers, which aligns with the notion that it misleads consumers by promoting offers that are not genuinely available or that come with significant strings attached. The core of bait pricing is the idea of enticing customers into a business with the expectation of a fantastic deal, only to introduce additional costs or to inform them that the deal is not available in a convenient or accessible manner.

This deceptive practice is problematic as it undermines fair competition and can lead to customer dissatisfaction and mistrust. Regulatory agencies, like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States, often scrutinize these tactics to protect consumers from misleading advertising practices. By understanding bait pricing as an illegal strategy, individuals can better recognize legitimate pricing practices versus those aimed at deceiving consumers.