Former Amazon employee, Maren Costa, has revealed a money-saving ‘hack’ for online shoppers that could potentially save them thousands of pounds. Costa, who was a key figure in developing Amazon’s online shopping platform, shared her insights in a new documentary titled “Buy Now: The Online Shopping Conspiracy.” The documentary, created by Emmy-nominee Nic Stacey, sheds light on the tactics employed by major companies to influence consumer behaviour and increase sales.
Costa explained how subtle changes, such as altering the colours of certain elements on a webpage, can significantly impact a shopper’s decision-making process. For example, changing the colour of a promotional sentence like ‘Free shipping for purchases over $25’ can affect a customer’s purchasing behaviour. By conducting tests with different colour variations, companies can determine which version drives more sales effectively.
In the documentary, Costa offered a simple tip for online shoppers to avoid impulsive purchases: if you feel the need to buy something, add it to your online cart and leave it there for a month. By waiting and revisiting the item after a period of time, shoppers can discern whether the purchase is truly necessary or just a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Additionally, the documentary introduces ‘waste’ TikToker Anna Sacks, who uncovers usable products discarded by major companies, highlighting the scale of the world’s waste problem in the online shopping industry. “Buy Now: The Online Shopping Conspiracy” is now available for streaming on Netflix, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of the tactics and impact of online shopping.
This eye-opening documentary serves as a wake-up call for consumers to be more mindful of their online shopping habits and to be aware of the tactics used by companies to influence their purchasing decisions. By being informed and practising conscious shopping behaviours, individuals can make more deliberate and mindful choices when making online purchases, ultimately leading to more responsible and sustainable consumption habits.