Definition

The practice of encouraging customers to purchase a more expensive or upgraded version of what they're already buying. It's the art of making people feel inadequate about their original choice.

Example Usage

Our upselling strategy at checkout increased average order value by 23%, mostly by making customers feel cheap for choosing the basic option.

Origin

Sales terminology dating back to early retail practices

Fun Fact

The infamous 'Would you like fries with that?' is perhaps the most successful upselling technique in history, generating billions for fast-food chains.

Source: Sales and retail marketing methodology

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See “upselling” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

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