A picture of a wallet and two credit cards pulled out in anticipation of making purchases beyond your means.

The Cost of Honesty: Creating Fair Prices Without Exploitation

Lea Brown

In today’s shopping world, there’s a lot to love—convenience, variety, and sometimes a great deal. But beneath the surface lies a troubling trend: unethical sales practices designed to exploit customers’ impulsivity and insecurities.

As someone with ADHD, I’ve felt the regret and shame of buying into “limited-time offers,” spinning wheels, and endless games promising rewards that leave you feeling manipulated. When I started my store, I vowed to do things differently—not just selling products, but creating a safe shopping space where you feel good about every purchase.

The Problem With Pricing Gimmicks
We’ve all seen them: countdown timers urging you to “Buy Now!” or prices slashed so low they seem too good to be true. These tactics prey on our need for dopamine hits and urgency, encouraging spending that doesn’t feel good afterward.

In the print-on-demand (POD) world, many businesses are pressured to race to the bottom. “Experts” claim $5 per shirt is enough profit, even for handmade designs, but this devalues the work and leads to unethical practices just to survive. I refuse to play that game.

Realistic, Ethical Pricing
At my store, I build pricing on transparency and fairness. Take my BOHO Festive Reversible Baby Bibs as an example.

 

One bib costs $17.99, but buying more offers significant savings:
3 bibs for $43.61
10 bibs for $124.73
These discounts reflect the savings I can pass on to you—like reduced shipping—without resorting to hype or gimmicks or keeping that extra money to line my pockets.

Here’s a couple of examples of how I've approached other items:

Youth and Children’s Clothing: Lower profits because families need affordable essentials.
Hats and Essential Items: Reasonably priced to ensure everyone has access to functional, quality products.
This balance allows me to sustain my business while putting you, the customer, first.

What "Reduced Price" Means
If you see "Reduced Price" on a product, it’s not a temporary sale. It reflects the lower price I can offer thanks to saved costs I pass directly to you. Unlike “SALE,” which implies urgency, "Reduced Price" is honest and consistent—no surprises, no gimmicks.

What I Don’t Do
Here’s what you’ll never find in my store:

Raffles or spinning wheels to grab your attention.
Countdown timers screaming “Buy now or miss out!”
Endless “sales” designed to trick you into thinking you’re saving money.
Instead, I focus on unique, thoughtful products that resonate with your style and values—not because they’re trendy, but because they’re meaningful to you.

Shopping With Your Eyes Wide Open
My motto, “Shopping With Your Eyes Wide Open,” isn’t just a tagline—it’s a promise. I want you to feel empowered, not pressured. My goal is to provide products that bring joy and utility, leaving you satisfied with every purchase.

Your support means everything to a business rooted in honesty and fairness. If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to explore my store or share this with someone who values transparency as much as you do.
Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.