Alexandra Cardinale | Vox

Why “buy one, get one free” isn’t a great deal

2018-12-19T08:18:09-05:00

For thrifty shoppers, a “buy one, get one” (BOGO) special can sound like the best way to get more bang for their buck. But often, it’s simply not as good a deal as it appears.

BOGO is in fact so appealing that it’s hard for consumers to see it for what it is.

Often, it’s difficult for consumers to tell whether BOGO is fair or deceptive, and often their judgment is clouded by one four-letter word: free.

The deal disguises the fact that unless you already intended to buy two items, it really isn’t all that big a discount.

Translated into a straight discount, the total saved from a “buy one, get one 50 percent off” deal would be the same as 25 percent off the total purchase. But the amount of money you spent in the store has grown because you bought two items.

Buying more than one item means consumers spend more money than they intended, not less.

So BOGO deals can be fantastic if you’re looking to buy in bulk and stretch your dollar. But for most of us, free isn’t always the best option.

Watch this video to learn how retailers use “buy one, get one” deals to get you to shop even more. Check out more from The Goods by Vox, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more Vox videos.

Why advertisers are tracking your emojis

2018-12-19T08:11:39-05:00

It’s not just your Google keywords or your gender and location anymore. Advertisers are developing ads to target consumers based on the emojis they use.

With Twitter’s new emoji tracking tool, advertisers can monitor how and when users post emojis, then use that data to determine people’s emotional states. Depending on those feelings, companies can deliver highly tailored ads that match users’ real-time emotions.

Deciphering smiley face or angry emojis is easy. But when advertisers see emojis that express ambiguous emotions — like an emoji with no mouth — they can use artificial intelligence to predict if the emoji is used in a positive, negative, or neutral context, and produce a corresponding ad.

For an advertiser, knowing how people feel is immensely valuable; advertisers say this emoji tracking feature will allow them to deliver more relevant ads. But consumers are concerned about privacy.

Watch this video to learn how advertisers are using this tool and how it changes ads on Twitter. And for more Vox videos, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Why ramen is so valuable in prison

2018-11-14T10:51:02-05:00

Instant ramen noodles have become like cash among inmates in America. And behind bars, it can buy you anything.

Cash is illegal in prisons. And that means everything from tuna to stamps to cigarettes has its own unique value in a trade and barter market.

But ramen has quickly taken over as the most in-demand product the prison system offers.

Find out why ramen took over prison economies and why it’s the default item for trade among inmates.

You can find this video and all of Vox’s videos on YouTube. Subscribe for more.

The quest for the perfect apple

2018-10-24T12:06:10-04:00

SweeTango, Zestar, Rave, Cosmic Crisp, EverCrisp, Arctic, Kissabel, Envy — these creative names all belong to new designer apples hoping to satisfy your taste buds. Farmers are racing to grow and sell the perfect apple, one with the best texture, the best crunch, the best flavor — even an apple that won’t brown.

The most innovative apples on the market are patented and trademarked, and have catchy names, logos, and slogans. And consumers have shown they’re willing to pay a premium price for an apple that guarantees a flavor-packed bite.

Watch the video above to learn more about why Red Delicious apples have dominated for so long (despite less than sublime taste) and how it all changed when the Honeycrisp sparked consumer demand for a superior tasting experience.

To read more about designer apples, check out this extensive article from Vox’s Alex Abad-Santos.

You can find this video and all of Vox’s videos on YouTube. Subscribe for more.