Blatchi and Haim tarboosh department ad, al-Kashkul 1927
American University in Cairo, Rare Books and Special Collections Library. al-Kashkul. RBSCL believes this item is in the public domain.
The pattern
This still is filed under Price-anchoring offer.
Define
A higher reference number is shown first so the real price reads as a concession, not as a starting bid.
Mechanism
People judge a price against the first number they see. The anchor must be a real comparison or it collapses.
Verdict
We have a credible reference the buyer will accept
Why it works
Instead of saying its prices are low, the store prints a table: men's tarbooshes by named grade from 18 to 60 piastres, and boys' ones from 13 to 23. Seeing the whole ladder lets every reader find a price that fits and compare it with their usual hatter before leaving home. The last line adds pressing for one piastre, a tiny service price that gets people through the door.
The big idea
Instead of claiming unbeatable tarboosh prices, the store prints the whole price table by named grade so readers can check it themselves.
The offer
A new tarboosh department at Blatchi, Haim and Partners in the Muski: men's grades from 18 to 60 piastres, boys' from 13 to 23, and pressing for one piastre only.
The proof
A printed price table naming each grade, from Tayra at 18 piastres to Zephyr at 60 for men, and Tayra to Ittihad for boys.
Lines from the ad
محلات بلاتشى وحايم وشركاهم بالموسكىBlatchi, Haim and Partners stores in the Muski
جدول لبعض الاسعارA table of some prices
وأيضاً المحل مستعد لكوى الطرابيش بغاية الاتقان بسعر قرش صاغ واحد فقطThe store is also ready to press tarbooshes with great care for one piastre only
Steal this when
Use it when you claim to beat competitors on price and can publish the full price ladder for readers to check.
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