Only 12 left in stock!

Only 12 left in stock!

Only 2 days left to apply!

Only 4 tickets left!

3 offers leads to 3 questions and 3 answers.

Why does this work?

Because for some reason our fear of loss is greater than our desire for gain.

An old raggedy t-shirt gets a new lease of life when a parent announces they’re throwing it out.

A subpar boyfriend finally gets his act together only after his girlfriend threatens to leave him.

A company offers an amazing raise to keep a treasured employee after she hands in her notice.

Who does it work on?

Those who were already convinced but needed a push.

They probably saw the couch, loved the couch but somehow couldn’t justify buying the couch.

Then when the shop assistant said that that particular couch was selling like hot cakes and there was only 3 left that was enough to push the couch lover over the edge and take this opportunity.

The buyer then takes great delight in telling all who will listen that they snagged one of the last in stock.

I don’t think this scarcity message will work on everyone.

I don’t think you could convince single children-less men to buy tampons no matter how many were left in stock and how cheap they were.

Is it manipulative?

It is using people’s fear of loss against them but then again it only works on those who are already convinced.

Overall I would say it’s not manipulative because it is merely stating facts.

There are literally only 2 days left to apply.

I would say it is manipulative if the marketer was lying.

If the ad said only 3 left when in fact there was 23 left.