Undersell: meaning, definitions and examples

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undersell

 

[ ˌʌndərˈsel ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

business

To sell something for less than its true value or worth, often in order to attract customers. Underselling can also refer to not promoting or marketing a product effectively.

Synonyms

discount, sell cheap, undercut, underprice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
undersell

Typically used in business to describe selling products or services at a lower price than competitors to gain an advantage. It can sometimes imply a negative strategy if it undercuts competitors unfairly.

  • The small grocery store managed to undersell the big supermarket chains, attracting more customers.
  • If we undersell our new product, we might dominate the market quickly.
underprice

Used to describe setting a price point lower than the actual value or competitors, sometimes accidentally. It often implies a missed profit opportunity or error.

  • We realized too late that we had underpriced the consultation services compared to our competitors.
  • Be careful not to underprice your artwork; it deserves to be valued correctly.
undercut

Used often in competitive business environments to describe setting prices lower than competitors. It can have a negative connotation if it suggests an aggressive and potentially unfair market strategy.

  • The online retailer undercut all other stores, offering the lowest prices on the market.
  • We need to be cautious, as undercutting too much might hurt our brand reputation.
sell cheap

Informally used to describe selling something at a low price, often implying a lower quality product or desperation to sell quickly. It can have a negative connotation if perceived as undervaluing an item.

  • During the garage sale, they decided to sell most items cheap to get rid of them fast.
  • If we sell cheap, we should manage to clear our old stock.
discount

Generally used to indicate a reduction in the usual price of something for a promotional period or to clear stock. It has a positive connotation when used in marketing to attract buyers.

  • We are offering a 20% discount on all winter clothing this week.
  • Students can get a discount if they show their ID.

Examples of usage

  • Many retailers resort to underselling during the holiday season to boost sales.
  • The company was underselling their new product, resulting in lower profit margins.
  • Underselling may lead to a temporary increase in sales, but it can hurt the brand's overall reputation.
  • The practice of underselling can create a price war among competitors.
  • Small businesses often struggle with the balance between pricing competitively and underselling.

Translations

Translations of the word "undersell" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vender abaixo do valor

🇮🇳 कम कीमत पर बेचना

🇩🇪 unter Wert verkaufen

🇮🇩 menjual di bawah harga

🇺🇦 продавати за заниженою ціною

🇵🇱 sprzedawać poniżej wartości

🇯🇵 安値で売る

🇫🇷 vendre à perte

🇪🇸 vender por debajo del valor

🇹🇷 değerinin altına satmak

🇰🇷 저가에 팔다

🇸🇦 بيع بأقل من القيمة

🇨🇿 prodat pod cenou

🇸🇰 predať pod cenu

🇨🇳 低价出售

🇸🇮 prodati pod vrednostjo

🇮🇸 selja undir verði

🇰🇿 бағадан төмен сату

🇬🇪 ფასის დაკლება

🇦🇿 dəyərindən aşağı satmaq

🇲🇽 vender por debajo del valor

Etymology

The term 'undersell' originated in the late 18th century, combining 'under' (indicating deficiency or inadequacy) and 'sell' (to exchange goods for money). The concept of underselling has been prevalent in various industries, especially in retail, where companies use pricing strategies to attract customers. Over time, underselling has evolved to include not only pricing tactics but also marketing and promotional techniques aimed at increasing sales volume. The history of underselling reflects the dynamic nature of consumer behavior and market competition.

See also: bestseller, oversell, sell, sellable, seller, sellers, selling, underselling.