Bargain Fever: Summary Review

This is a summary review of Bargain Fever containing key details about the book.

What is Bargain Fever About?

“Bargain Fever: How to Shop in a Discounted World” is a book by Mark Ellwood that discusses the history and psychology of shopping and how to make smart purchasing decisions in a world filled with discounts and sales.

When Coca-Cola offered the first retail coupon in the 1880s, customers were thrilled. But today, one in four American shoppers will buy something only if it’s on sale, and almost half of all merchandise carries a promotional price. The relentless pursuit of deals has totally disrupted the relationship between buyers and sellers. In this playful, well-researched book, the author investigates what happens to markets when everything’s negotiable.

Who is the author of Bargain Fever?

Mark Ellwood is a journalist whose reporting on retail has appeared in the Financial Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, W, GQ, The New York Times Style magazine, and Travel + Leisure, among other publications. He is also a TV producer and presenter. He lives in New York City.

What are some key summary points from Bargain Fever?

Here are some key points and takeaways from the book:

• Discounts and sales can be tempting, but it is important to carefully consider whether an item is actually a good deal or if it is just being marketed as such.
• Many retailers use various tactics to make items seem like a better deal than they really are, such as using “anchoring” to make the original price seem higher or using the “decoy effect” to make one option seem more attractive.
• It is important to have a budget and to stick to it, rather than falling into the trap of overspending due to the perceived value of a discount.
• It can be helpful to shop around and compare prices before making a purchase, and to be aware of the potential pitfalls of online shopping.
• It is important to consider the long-term value of an item, rather than just its immediate price, and to be mindful of the environmental and social impacts of our purchases.
• Ellwood suggests that it is possible to find great deals and make smart purchasing decisions without succumbing to “bargain fever,” or the compulsive desire to shop for discounts.

Book details

• Print length: 272 pages
• Genre: Nonfiction, Business, Sociology

What are the chapters in Bargain Fever?

Chapter 1: Your Brain on Sales
Chapter 2: Couponmania
Chapter 3: Purchase History
Chapter 4: How the Other Half Saves
Chapter 5: “Let’s Make a Deal” or You’ll Never Pay Retail Again

What do critics say?

Here’s what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: “Bargain Fever is just as fierce, funny, tenacious, and tantalizing as its author. I love this book.” — Kelly Cutrone, founder, People’s Revolution, and author, Normal Gets You Nowhere

* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you’re interested in furthering your personal development, I invite you to check out my list of favorite personal development books page. On this page, you’ll find a curated list of books that have personally impacted my life, each with a summary and key lessons.

Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an impact-driven creator at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 life goals around the globe. Tal's journey and recent book, The Art of Fully Living, inspired him to found Elevate Society.