Understanding Surveillance Pricing and Price Discrimination

Device, Location, Time and Based Price Increases (Surveillance Pricing)

Imagine you’re shopping for a pair of headphones. If you’re browsing on a high-end smartphone, you might see a slightly higher price compared to someone using a budget laptop. Retailers use this strategy to maximize their profits based on their perception of what you’re willing to pay. Online retailers can gather data about the type of device you're using to browse their site, your PC or Phone screen size, your browsing habits, your time of browsing an item to buy, your operating system being used, where you are located and much more. This is also called Surveillance Pricing or Price Discrimination.

In this article you will learn what is Surveillance Price increase and how can you counter this trick the vendors use when you buy online. These information can influence the prices you see when trying to buy an item online. Here’s how:

Location-Based Pricing

Think of it this way: online retailers can see where you're located based on your IP address. Prices might be higher or lower depending on where you are. For example, someone in a big city might see higher prices than someone in a small town because retailers assume people in cities can afford to pay more.

Time-Based Pricing

Prices can change depending on the time of day or the day of the week. Just like plane tickets can be cheaper if you buy them on certain days, other items can also have fluctuating prices. Retailers analyze when people are most likely to buy and adjust prices accordingly to maximize their profits.

Browsing Habit-Based Pricing

Online stores can track what you look at and how often you visit a particular product page. If you keep checking out the same item, they might raise the price because they know you're really interested. Your browsing history helps them understand what you're likely to buy, and they adjust prices to encourage you to make a purchase.

Device-Based Pricing

Online retailers can gather data about the type of device you're using to browse their site. This information can influence the prices you see. Here’s how:

1. Device Type: Retailers might assume that users on high-end devices (like a MacBook or an iPhone) have higher purchasing power. Consequently, they might show higher prices compared to those browsing on budget devices (like cheaper Android phones or Windows laptops).

2. Operating System: Some studies suggest that users on different operating systems may see different prices. For instance, Mac users might see higher prices than Windows users.

3. Screen Resolution: Higher screen resolution can be an indicator of a high-end device. Retailers might use this information to adjust prices.

Surveillance Pricing

Imagine you're shopping online for a new laptop. The website knows you're in a wealthy neighborhood (location), you're browsing late at night when you're likely to make impulsive decisions (time), and you've been eyeing that laptop for days (browsing habits). The price might go up because the retailer thinks you're ready to buy and willing to pay a bit more.

• Location: Your physical location can influence prices.

• Time: The time you shop can affect how much you pay.

• Browsing Habits: What you look at online can make prices change.

• Device: The Device you are using like iPhone or Android, Mac or Windows, High End or Low End Device, everything matters when Surveillance Pricing is applied by the vendors.

• Screen Resolution: The higher the screen resolution of a PC, Laptop or Phone, the vendor understands that you are a rich customer and you will most likely pay more.

How to Beat Surveillance Price Increase When Buying Online

Here are some strategies to help you counter device, time, browsing habit, and location-based price increases when shopping online:

1. Use Incognito Mode:

When you browse in incognito mode, your browsing history and cookies are not saved, which can prevent websites from tracking your behavior and adjusting prices accordingly.

2. Utilize a VPN (Virtual Private Network):

A VPN can mask your IP address and make it appear as though you are browsing from a different location. This can help you avoid location-based pricing. I would recommend you use VIPRE_Plus_Antivirus because it does all the core functions of a big antivirus software without any bloatware and without slowing down you PC. Also, Vipre Plus antivirus has Unlimited VPN for all your devices.

3. Clear Cookies Regularly:

Websites use cookies to track your browsing habits. By regularly clearing your cookies, you can reduce the likelihood of price increases based on your online behavior.

4. Compare Prices on Different Devices:

Sometimes, prices vary depending on whether you're using a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Compare prices across multiple devices to ensure you're getting the best deal.

5. Shop at Different Times:

Prices can fluctuate based on the time of day or day of the week. Try shopping at various times to find the best prices.

6. Use Price Comparison Tools:

There are several online tools and browser extensions that can help you compare prices across different websites. These tools can help you find the best deals and avoid overpaying.

7. Sign Up for Price Alerts:

Many websites and apps offer price alerts for specific products. You can receive notifications when the price drops, allowing you to purchase at the best possible rate.

8. Check Different Regions' Websites:

Sometimes, prices can vary on different regions' versions of the same website. For example, Amazon has separate websites for different countries, and prices can differ. Use this to your advantage by checking prices on various regional websites.

9. Use a Different Browser:

Switching to a different web browser can sometimes help you avoid price increases based on your browsing habits.

10. Disable Location Tracking:

Ensure that location tracking is disabled in your browser settings to prevent websites from using your location to adjust prices.

By employing these strategies, you can shop smarter and avoid falling victim to price increases based on your device, time, browsing habits, or location. Happy shopping!

Watch this 10 minutes Video, discussing how corporations are using AI and Surveillance to Price gouge the Americans.