The Issue: Cialidini discusses the Scarcity Principle and how people tend to desire something more when it has limited availability or is in scarcity.
Major Strength: I like that Cialdini gives different examples of what the word “scarce” can mean. It isn’t only the amount of the actual item, but it’s also the limited amount the item will be present, or the barriers that prevent the person from achieving the item.
Major Weakness: One of the examples that Cialdini gives is a couple wanting to buy a car. The couple is told that the last car was just sold, but that they might be able to find another one with that engine and that kind if they agree to purchase it. I don’t see how anyone would agree to purchasing a car just on “the off chance” they have it. This goes for any product. Maybe it’s because I’m terrible with commitment, but I would never agree to buying something without physically seeing it first.
Underlying Assumption: People tend to want things more when they seem high in demand and less available.
Provocative Questions: Can this relate to why women play hard to get? They seem like they have less available time, which causes the fellas to want them more? Why would the guys fall for that and not find a different woman just as good without the hassle of the availability issue. If a certain car or shampoo or whatever the hell product you want is out of stock, why not go for one that is just as good but a different brand? Why is our desire for a product much stronger when it’s scarce? How is it okay for stores to lie to their costumers about a products stock?