Overselling: meaning, definitions and examples

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overselling

 

[ˌoʊvərˈsɛlɪŋ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

sales techniques

Overselling refers to the act of persuading a customer to purchase more than they need or can afford. This often occurs in marketing and sales, where representatives highlight the benefits of a product excessively. The intent may be to increase sales volume, but it can lead to customer dissatisfaction if expectations are not met. Overselling can damage the reputation of a brand or retailer if consumers feel misled about the product's value or capabilities.

Synonyms

exaggerating, overhyping, overpromising.

Examples of usage

  • The salesperson was overselling the features of the new phone.
  • Overselling can lead to returns and negative reviews.
  • They caution against overselling in an attempt to maintain customer trust.

Interesting Facts

Business Practices

  • Many salespeople might promise more features than a product actually has to convince customers to buy it.
  • In the service industry, overselling can lead to disappointed customers if the service doesn’t meet their high expectations.

Psychology

  • People often remember the initial promises they were made rather than the reality, which can lead to feelings of betrayal when they discover the truth.
  • Overselling can create a disconnect between expectations and reality, leading to dissatisfaction and negative reviews.

Marketing

  • Advertising campaigns that exaggerate benefits can lead to customers feeling misled if the product doesn’t deliver.
  • Brands sometimes face backlash if they consistently oversell, prompting consumers to be more skeptical about claims.

Technology

  • In software releases, companies that oversell features often face criticism when updates do not fulfill earlier promises.
  • Tech gadgets are often marketed with exaggerated claims about speed and efficiency, leading to consumer disappointment.

Cultural References

  • In movies and TV, characters often oversell things to get others excited, only for it to backfire humorously later on.
  • The phrase 'too good to be true' encapsulates the common skepticism toward overselling in various media.

Translations

Translations of the word "overselling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 venda excessiva

🇮🇳 अधिक बिक्री

🇩🇪 Überverkauf

🇮🇩 penjualan berlebihan

🇺🇦 перепродаж

🇵🇱 przeciąganie sprzedaży

🇯🇵 オーバーセリング

🇫🇷 survente

🇪🇸 venta excesiva

🇹🇷 aşırı satış

🇰🇷 과도한 판매

🇸🇦 زيادة المبيعات

🇨🇿 přeprodej

🇸🇰 nadmerný predaj

🇨🇳 过度销售

🇸🇮 prekomerna prodaja

🇮🇸 ofsale

🇰🇿 артық сату

🇬🇪 მეტი გაყიდვა

🇦🇿 artıq satış

🇲🇽 venta excesiva