Daughter – Mom. I think I’m going to get this blouse.
Mom – Well, it’s your money.
Daughter – It sounds like you don’t approve.
Mom – It’s a lovely blouse and you know how much money you have.
Daughter – But? I know there’s something you don’t like.
Mom – You make good judgments.
Daughter – Mom. I’m still open to your opinion.
Mom – Well, the blouse seems expensive.
Daughter – Really? The one in the window was $250. And the one on the manikin was $150. This one’s only $60.
Mom – When is the last time you paid $60 for a blouse?
Daughter – It’s the cheapest blouse in the store.
Mom – Yes it is. But when was the last time you paid $60 for a blouse?
Daughter – What’s your point Mom?
Mom – You think the blouse is cheap because you are comparing it to the first two expensive ones you saw.
Daughter – Well, yeah.
Mom – The store places those expensive ones there so that you anchor on them first and then other things seem less expensive in comparison.
Daughter – Ah. Interesting. So you wanted me to anchor on what I have paid in the past, not what I saw in the store.
Mom – Yeah. You caught that.
Daughter – Thanks Mom. I don’t like it when stores try to manipulate me.
Mom – Nobody does.
