Help power Marketplace this winter when you support the show today. Donate Now!

From This Collection

If you see with your eye, you will buy

Nov 5, 2010
Food is usually more appealing once you can see it. But would you pay more for it too? One study says that once you can see and touch a product, you're more willing to pay a higher price for it. Tess Vigeland and Dr. Antonio Rangel test out the theory with the sweetest trick in the book: dessert.

Why we give up our privacy so easily

Sep 17, 2010
There was an uproar when Facebook fiddled with its privacy settings -- but really, people willingly give up their privacy all the time for perks like coupons and discounts.

Better now than later -- Use those gift cards!

Aug 27, 2010
Tess Vigeland talks to UCLA marketing professor Suzanne Shu about why people have such a hard time using gifts and gift cards.

What were you thinking?: Expensive shampoos

Aug 6, 2010
Tess Vigeland talks to Marketplace's web producer Dalasie Michaelis on why he spends so much on shampoo and also to marketing Professor Erica Okada about her theory on why Dalasie and other consumers decide to opt for an expensive bottle versus a cheaper one.

There's only so much you can teach your kids

Jul 23, 2010
For better or for worse, kids take after their parents -- but studies show parental influence only goes so far when it comes to how your children will handle money.

Why do we pay for more for the same?

Jul 9, 2010
Tess Vigeland talks to UCLA Professor Suzanne Shu about why we do the seemingly illogical things we do with credit card points.

Choices: Too little, too much, just right

Jun 11, 2010
Host Tess Vigeland talks to consumer psychologist Frank Murtha about how we choose and how too little or too much choice affects our purchases.

For public good, not for profit.

To pay or not to pay?

May 28, 2010
Panera Bread Co. opened a new location in St. Louis and let its customers decide what they want to pay. Sounds like a free lunch, but as Steve Chiotakis talks to Vickie Morwitz, people still decide to pay.

Why pay for MP3s, when you can P2P?

May 14, 2010
Marketplace's Joel Rose looks into why some still pay for music, when it is so easy to download free music with peer-to-peer technology.

The market is bleeding, so I'm selling!

Apr 30, 2010
Why do some investors choose to ignore the personal finance information that says not to sell when stock market prices are low? Sally Herships investigates the psychology behind the low seller.