Usually on Friday after work we take our kids to a toy train ride in a nearby open Mall. This Friday, as I was waiting for them to return from their train ride, I watched in fascination an interesting conversation between a hot dog guy and a woman buying a hot dog for her little (probably 4-5 year old) girl. It was one of those street corner hot dog stand just outside an upscale clothing store.

Mom comes out of the store with her daughter and sits down on a bench next to the hot dog stand.

“Mommy, I am hungry”

Mom notices the hot dog guy. “Would you like a hot dog honey?” she asks the child.

She doesn’t wait for her answer – which of course was a quick yes – and takes her by the hand to the vendor. As she orders the hot dog, she asks her daughter:

“What would you like to drink?”

“Sprite”

“Good choice! Caffeine-free sprite for you”, exclaims the vendor as he hands the hot dog and the Sprite can to the mother.

“That would be $4.50″

Just as the Mom hands him a $10 bill, he quickly adds:

“You know, you can make it a combo for another 50 cents and get a bag of chips”!

Mom doesn’t even pause, and asks her daughter:

“Would you like a bag of chips, honey?” as she points to the rows of chips on the overhead shelf.

The girl thinks for a moment as she eyes bags of Cheetos, Nachos and Plain Potato Chips.

She points to the bag of Cheetos. Mom takes it out, gets the change back and walks away with a hot dog, a can of Sprite and a bag of Cheetos.

What just happened?

For an extra 50 cents,  she got 160 extra calories and 290 mg sodium. She didn’t think much of it since she did not read the nutrition label on the bag. It was simply a matter of better value.

We are conditioned, almost like robots, to respond to the irresistible offer of a combo meal or a “supersize” option for only a little bit more money. Fast food sellers have figured out a way to “squeeze” out the last few cents from your visit by making it sound like a great deal. It works almost every time – the customer feels happy because it looks like they are getting more for their money, and the store makes more money per customer.

Next time you are offered the extra value combo meal, just pause and think if you really need those extra calories. If not, then save the 50 cents!

Photo source: Doonvas on Flickr via everystockphoto
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