Are fundraising commercial writers all Steely Dan fans?
One of the many apps on my TV is PlutoTV; click on PlutoTV and you have well over 250 channels available, and that's just on that one app. Recently on the More Star Trek channel (yes, there's a regular Star Trek channel) I've been watching Voyager. I'd forgotten how good a show that series eventually became.
PlutoTV has commercials, and one came on for St. Jude Children's Hospital. The request was for "just 63 cents a day", or $19/month. Strange number, but whatever.
Several minutes later, during the next commercial break, there was a commercial for the ASPCA. The request was for "just 63 cents a day, $19 a month."
Any thoughts on why they'd ask for such an odd amount? Why not 67 cents a day for an even $20?
Same reason stores charge $19.99 instead of $20 for an item. Supposedly studies have shown their is a psychological thing in your mind that 19.99 isn't so bad but 20? Sheez that's expensive. Thus, asking for $19 versus $20.
ReplyDeleteIt's like those speed limit signs that say "27 mph" or "19 1/2 mph"... weird numbers get your attention. I guess.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there's no definitive answer, from what I could find, it appears the prevailing theory is the fact that people are not generally good enough at math to figure out the annual cost of $19 per month like they could if it was an $20, making them more likely to actually make the donation.
ReplyDeleteSource: https://www.marketplace.org/2022/01/13/why-do-tv-commercials-for-charities-ask-for-19-a-month/
That's so odd! Why does anyone care about the annual amount (except if they're itemizing deductions for tax purposes)?
ReplyDelete