The Carbolic Smoke Ball : for inhalation only : will positively cure colds, cold in the head, cold on the chest, catarrh, asthma, bronchitis ... / Carbolic Smoke Ball Company.
The pattern
This still is filed under Reason-why.
Define
A specific reason the offer is priced, timed, or structured this way. Not a mood. A reason.
Mechanism
Justification. A concrete cause makes a claim feel earned. Because we overbought. Because the season ends Sunday.
Verdict
The price or the ask looks irregular
Why it works
Social proof on steroids. By listing royalty, actors, and high-society figures, it leverages extreme authority bias. The promise of 'positively cure' and 'free trials' lowers the barrier to entry.
Steal this when
You have high-profile clients and want to leverage their names to build unshakeable credibility for a bold claim.