Overpricing: meaning, definitions and examples

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overpricing

 

[ˈoʊvərˌpraɪsɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

business

The act of setting prices too high for the value of a product or service, often resulting in decreased sales and customer dissatisfaction.

Synonyms

excessive pricing, inflated prices, price gouging.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overpricing

Used when the price set for a product or service is higher than it should be in a general sense.

  • The company was accused of overpricing their new line of smartphones, making them unaffordable for many consumers
inflated prices

Refers to prices that have been increased to an unreasonable or artificial level, often due to external factors.

  • During the holiday season, many retailers set inflated prices for popular toys
excessive pricing

Often used in a formal or business context where the prices exceed what is deemed reasonable or fair.

  • The regulatory body investigated the hospital for excessive pricing of medical procedures
price gouging

Has a negative connotation and is used to describe the act of raising prices to an unfair level, particularly during emergencies or shortages.

  • The store was criticized for price gouging bottled water during the hurricane

Examples of usage

  • Overpricing can lead to losing customers to competitors who offer more reasonable prices.
  • When the company was accused of overpricing their products, their reputation suffered.
  • Customers are quick to notice when overpricing occurs and are likely to seek alternatives.
Context #2 | Verb

economics

To set the price of a product or service higher than its perceived value, potentially harming sales and customer loyalty.

Synonyms

charge too much, inflate the price, mark up excessively.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overpricing

Similar to 'overpricing,' this refers to setting prices too high but can be used more as a general complaint about the high cost rather than a technical term. It usually carries a negative connotation.

  • Customers are complaining about overpricing in many of the city's new restaurants
inflate the price

This phrase suggests that someone is deliberately increasing prices, often for deceptive or unfair reasons. It's commonly used in discussions about fraud, manipulation, or unethical business practices.

  • The company was found guilty of inflating the price of essential drugs
charge too much

This is a more informal way of saying that someone is asking for too much money for their goods or services. It's commonly used in everyday conversations and can be perceived negatively.

  • The plumber charged too much for fixing the leak, considering it only took him 10 minutes
mark up excessively

This term is often used in retail or wholesale contexts where the standard practice is to apply a markup. However, 'excessively' implies that the markup is unreasonably high, often seen as unfair.

  • The boutique marked up their designer clothes excessively, making them unaffordable for most people

Examples of usage

  • Some businesses overprice their products in an attempt to maximize profits, but this strategy can backfire.
  • Customers may feel deceived if they discover that a company is intentionally overpricing its offerings.

Interesting Facts

Economics

  • Overpricing can result from high demand, where sellers take advantage of buyers wanting a scarce product.
  • Many businesses use pricing strategies that may lead to overpricing, like premium pricing to suggest better quality.
  • Price elasticity of demand shows that if prices rise too high, people might stop buying the product entirely.

Psychology

  • People often perceive higher-priced items as higher quality, which can lead them to accept overpricing without question.
  • Cognitive bias can play a role; if someone believes an item is worth more, they might undervalue alternatives that are more reasonably priced.
  • Overpricing can trigger feelings of disappointment in consumers when they don't feel the value matches the cost.

Technology

  • In the tech industry, overpricing can occur when companies charge a high premium for new gadgets, relying on buyer excitement.
  • Software subscriptions often demonstrate overpricing once users realize that cheaper alternatives offer similar features.
  • The rise of online marketplaces has encouraged price comparison, making it easier for consumers to identify overpricing.

Pop Culture

  • Reality TV shows about flipping houses often showcase instances of overpricing in real estate, impacting buyer decisions.
  • In the fashion world, luxury brands may exhibit overpricing strategies, creating an aura of exclusivity and desirability.
  • Crowdfunding campaigns can sometimes lead to overpricing, particularly if backers feel the excitement outweighs the realistic value.

Business

  • Overpricing can lead to brand damage if consumers feel cheated after purchasing overvalued items.
  • Strategically setting prices too high can backfire, making even loyal customers hesitant or angry.
  • Sustainable practices encourage companies to avoid overpricing by focusing on fair pricing models to retain consumer trust.

Translations

Translations of the word "overpricing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 superfaturamento

🇮🇳 अधिक मूल्य निर्धारण

🇩🇪 Überteuerung

🇮🇩 pemahalan

🇺🇦 завищення цін

🇵🇱 przesadzanie z cenami

🇯🇵 過剰価格設定 (かじょうかかくせってい)

🇫🇷 surtarification

🇪🇸 sobreprecio

🇹🇷 aşırı fiyatlandırma

🇰🇷 과잉 가격 책정 (gwahing gagyeok chaekjeong)

🇸🇦 التسعير الزائد

🇨🇿 předražení

🇸🇰 nadhodnocovanie

🇨🇳 定价过高 (dìngjià guò gāo)

🇸🇮 precenjevanje

🇮🇸 ofverðlagning

🇰🇿 бағаны асыра бағалау

🇬🇪 ფასების გადაჭარბება

🇦🇿 qiymətlərin çox artırılması

🇲🇽 sobreprecio

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,021, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.