It is considered a form of retail sales fraud, though it takes place in other contexts.
While many countries have laws against using bait and switch tactics not all occurences constitute fraud. The "bait" in a bait and switch can be an advertised physical product or service that has a notably attractive price or terms.
It can also take the form of a teaser interest rate, in the case a mortgage, loan or investment product. Once a customer comes into the store or office to inquire about the advertised price or rate, the advertiser will attempt to sell the customer a more expensive product, which constitutes the "switch. Bait and switch tactics, as a form of false advertising, may be subject to lawsuits in many countries, including the United States, England and Canada.
However, no matter how aggressive the advertiser is in attempting to upsell a potential customer to a more expensive product, if they are able to sell the advertised teaser product there is no course of action for the consumer.
It is perfectly legal in the United States for a business to advertise a teaser item that is stocked in a limited amount a loss leader , for example as long as they also advertise that a limited number are available and offer a rain check if the item sells out. While relatively uncommon, the bait and switch tactic has gained notoriety in the mortgage market as a potentially unscrupulous marketing tactic meant to drive business. The verb to bait has meant to supply a hook or trap with a morsel of food so as to attract a fish or animal since about ; the verb to switch has meant to change, alter, or transfer from one thing to another since the s.
The pairing of the two, however, dates only from the s, although the practice is surely much older. It is called switch-selling in Britain.
Bait and switch is a method of attracting customers by making a good offer, but then the customer is sold something of lower quality. The live performances were not shown often, and no doubt some viewers considered it a bait and switch.
The bar really sells 11 dishes for the advertised price at lunch. While not strictly illegal, the political objective is to get legislation or rules passed without expected negative community review. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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