Legal Definitions - bait advertising

Bait advertising, also known as bait and switch, is a sales tactic used by merchants to attract customers by advertising a low-priced product, only to persuade them to buy a more expensive one.

For example, a store may advertise a popular item at a very low price to attract customers. However, when the customer arrives at the store, they are told that the item is out of stock or unavailable. The salesperson then tries to convince the customer to buy a more expensive item instead.

This practice is illegal in most states when the original product is not actually available as advertised. It is considered a deceptive and unfair business practice that takes advantage of consumers.

Overall, bait advertising is a dishonest way to lure customers into a store and trick them into buying something they didn't intend to purchase.