Economy
Discover facts about economy. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Economy
Cable providers force you to pay for unwatchable channels
The provider sells channels as a package, not as a menu of individual picks. Popular networks arrive bundled with niche ones, so subscribers pay for channels…
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Why children's video channels attract so many ads
Autoplay keeps children's videos rolling, giving toy advertisers a ready-made audience for the next ad. One video ends and another chance to sell a toy begins.
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A traffic-camera contract can put a price on each violation
When a vendor is paid according to ticket volume, more violations mean more revenue for the company. That creates a potential conflict between reducing…
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True-crime podcasts turn tragedy into commute entertainment
A true-crime episode can move from an unsolved tragedy to an upbeat meal-kit ad in a single commute. The real case draws listeners; the ad turns their…
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A charity-auction purchase isn't automatically a full tax deduction
Under U.S. tax rules, the potentially deductible contribution is generally the amount paid above the item's fair market value, subject to the applicable…
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Why the priority boarding line can be the longest
The airline sells a shortcut, then sells it to so many people that they form a line of their own. Priority passengers can end up backed up through the…
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Hotel minibars exploit traveler laziness
After a long trip, even a short walk downstairs can feel like too much. Minibars turn that reluctance into a higher price for a drink delivered right in the…
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Why people pay to watch free talks
The talks may be posted online for free, but the introductions happen in the room. Some attendees pay for the chance to meet people face to face.
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Corporate team building retreats are mandatory paid fun
A company retreat can include trust falls, shared activities, and a bill paid by the employer. The catch is that the supposedly fun event may be mandatory for…
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The shampoo instruction that doubles your usage
A second shampoo lather can use up more of the bottle without making your hair cleaner. The instruction turns one wash into two doses of product.
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Airlines charge extra for sitting beside your partner
Seat selection is often an extra purchase. Couples who want to guarantee seats together may have to pay rather than risk being split up—or assigned beside…
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Why recipe blogs make you scroll forever
A recipe page can earn more from banner ads when it has room for more of them. That helps explain why the instructions for roasting chicken may sit far below…
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Why anti-aging creams come in tiny jars
A tiny jar can command a premium when its label sells hope about aging. The cream may moisturize, but it can’t reverse time.
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The long line that makes fast passes tempting
A long line makes waiting feel costly, so some people will pay extra to skip it. The delay turns frustration into a reason to buy a fast pass.
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Why convention-center Wi-Fi costs a fortune
At a convention, thousands of people may need Wi-Fi in the same place and have few on-site alternatives. The venue can charge steep daily rates because…
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Nostalgia reboots get funded to avoid original ideas
A studio already knows how to sell a familiar cartoon; an original idea has no built-in audience. Rebooting an old property can feel like the safer bet when…
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Exclusive shows force you to juggle monthly subscriptions
A show that used to be available through one service might move to its network’s own platform. To keep watching different favorites, viewers had to juggle…
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How car washes profit from memberships
A car wash can sell an “unlimited” membership because many customers barely use it. Some wash their cars about once a month—or forget to cancel—while paying…
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Downloaded software can have a secondhand market
In 2012, the EU's top court ruled that qualifying perpetual software licenses could be resold even when the software had been downloaded. The original buyer…
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Why online tickets charge you for doing the work
The buyer does the typing, but the fee buys the convenience of staying home instead of going to the box office. The name makes it sound like the website did…
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Why a funeral urn costs more than a flowerpot
A $12 ceramic pot can become much more expensive when it is sold as an urn through a funeral home. The object may be nearly the same; the funeral setting…
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How greeting cards turned guilt into a business
The business wasn’t just selling paper; it was selling a card for every little occasion—and the nagging feeling that someone might notice if you didn’t send…
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One ghost kitchen can run several restaurants
One delivery kitchen can list burgers under one brand and tacos under another. The operator gets several restaurant names on delivery apps without paying for…
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A cheap toy can cost more per afternoon than a sturdy one
The price tag measures the purchase, not how much use survives it. A toy that breaks quickly can need replacing several times while a more durable one is…
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