Why do shopping sites keep telling you what items are most popular?

AmberGran

I suspect it's just a feature of the website - probably originally intended to promote their best selling clothes - and has to be turned on for the whole website. Someone's brain child years ago for the first websites that everyone else latched on to.

I'm not convinced on that. I think they put items that they want to offload or are more expensive. Amazon definitely do the more expensive first. An article the other day on Apple News (I think) explained that around the 8th row normally shows the lower price. I am sure that they also remove things when you want low to high in the Prime filtered search. It drives me batty...although that's not far to go!

Slightly different, but still relating to popularity - I was annoyed yet again searching the rail in M & S for the trousers that I wanted in a size 10, when an assistant came to tidy the goods. I said how annoying it was to so often not be able to find
sizes 10 and 12, adding that the company must see that, and perhaps might add more of these sizes to the stock. She replied that as these sizes are at the front of the rails, they are always chosen first! So don’t customers actually look for the size they actually need?

I suspect it's just a feature of the website - probably originally intended to promote their best selling clothes - and has to be turned on for the whole website. Someone's brain child years ago for the first websites that everyone else latched on to.

I always change the sorting order to Price Order. Sometimes I use it on Higher to Lower where there are only a few choices at the top end and vice versa when it is the other way round. I find it a quicker way to find what I want.

So you think they are going to sell out and prompt you to buy...NOW! Marketing ploy....

skate

What really gets me is the M&S website where, whenever you put something in your basket and whatever it is, you get a message saying "you have great taste"...
Honestly! Am I supposed to be flattered into buying more stuff?

Yes, just like the self- checkout tills at Morrisons where you get a message on the screen telling you that it is looking forward to seeing you soon. For goodness' sake!

I started an online order for a top I liked but the postage for it made it a bit too expensive so I decided against it. I didn't delete from my basket and it said 'only a few left' or something similar. Weeks later I still get reminders it is still in my basket! So much for almost sold out! I think 'most popular' means that they are desperate to get rid of the stock!

AuntieE

I agree, Monica, if I am shopping for myself, but when shopping for presents for friends or relatives with quite different tastes to mine, it can be helpful to be told what is in fashion right now.

Obviously, this cannot apply to cup-hooks and the like.

I can understand these messages with clothes and consumer goods.

It is when they are attached to car parts, and DIY materials and the like, it defeats me. Going back to my L shaped white hooks. Am I really going to suddenly change my mind and order the wrong size hook because I have been told that anothe size is more popular?

A Variation of confirmation bias.

What really gets me is the M&S website where, whenever you put something in your basket and whatever it is, you get a message saying "you have great taste"...
Honestly! Am I supposed to be flattered into buying more stuff?

having been in selling all my life i cannot believe what they do. we were always told that you must push the lowest selling line rather than the best selling

If it was most popular and everyone had it, I certainly wouldn’t want it. Just for that reason alone .

I agree, Monica, if I am shopping for myself, but when shopping for presents for friends or relatives with quite different tastes to mine, it can be helpful to be told what is in fashion right now.

Obviously, this cannot apply to cup-hooks and the like.

I actually can find this most popular thing really helpful if l am in a rush.

Also if l need something l.hsve not bought before and have no idea about. It can save time and effort visiting different sites and scrolling through endless boring screens

...and do I like it?

Just ignore salespeople puffing theur products. Make your own mind up. Can I afford it? Do I need it?

Yep and IT systems...

It’s just advertising isn’t it?

Magenta8

It reminds of when, as a teenager, I used to shop for clothes in London's west end. Some of the assistants used to say things like "Sandy Shaw was in here the other day and she bought that dress."

So if you’re six feet tall with big feet it would have suited you down to the ground😂

Dontcallmelove

My favourite was ‘other people went on to buy’… a jar of chutney. Thing is I was looking at a game!

Yes, the things “other people also bought…” or “you might also like…” are usually completely unrelated to the item you are purchasing, they are totally random. 😂😂

Dontcallmelove

My favourite was ‘other people went on to buy’… a jar of chutney. Thing is I was looking at a game!

Yes. This is typical - I get this a lot.

I don't think we are annoyed "as such" merlotgran - just eyerolling at how ridiculous it is.

I wouldn't dream of buying clothing that was the most popular. I don't want to turn up somewhere wearing exactly the same as somewhere else.

I remember when we first started going on package holidays in the 60's my Mum refused to buy any type of beachwear in M&S. Their prints were very distinctive and she said she didn't want to be one of 10 people sitting by the pool in the same swimsuit. And more than once she winked at me when two or more ladies walked past us in the same get up!

My favourite was ‘other people went on to buy’… a jar of chutney. Thing is I was looking at a game!

I am not annoyed by it. I am just puzzled. As I said I can understand these messages for consumer fashion items, but DIY goods and cleaning materials?

Thinking about it, I’m more likely to take notice of DIY recommendations than I am fashion.
If it’s an expensive item I double check by watching a YouTube demo video.