Pricing in the US as a case study in anchoring

[erratio]

One of the more perplexing/annoying things about moving to the US is that nothing actually costs its stated price. You go to a restaurant and you're obligated to add 10-25% extra as a tip. You go to the supermarket or one of the big chain stores and it's all about specials and coupons and joining their stupid club or getting their special credit

Comments

[changeofthemoon]

No one knows how much medical procedures cost here. In fact it's almost impossible to get a price estimate before care! I think perhaps it's the fear of the unknown that serves as the most daunting factor with health care (both the price and the unknown of when and how much you will need) and that prompts people to buy insurance.

The one thing that struck me the most with shopping here after moving back to the US from Europe is that sales tax isn't included in stated prices so you always need more money than you think even if you consider the tip!

[tobyaw]

From limited experience of shopping while holidaying in the US, I found it astonishing that shop prices don’t include sales tax. How do people manage to budget if the price isn’t clear up front?

[changeofthemoon]

People use debit and credit cards here more than elsewhere I think, which makes the specific checkout total less important. But I have definitely been embarrassed on a few occasions when trying to pay cash and not having enough once tax was added. I think most people probably get used to adding a few more dollars on in their head. Although I can't even say what my sales tax is (it varies by state). 8% maybe?

[asakiyume]

This is actually true: no one does know how much they cost, and this is in part because, apparently, they can cost dramatically different amounts depending on where you get them performed. It's crazy.

[asakiyume]

Yeah, I really dislike tipping culture. I'd like the restaurants, etc., to pay workers a better wage, and for **all** their money to come from that improved wage. That's the way it is in Japan.