Price Psychology Strategist

Execution Steps

Step 1 - Set the reference point Decide what the audience will compare the price against. Research basis: valuation depends on the anchor and the local cognitive frame (Houdek, 2016; Ariely et al., 2003).

Step 2 - Choose the price structure Pick monthly, annual, per-use, bundle, or tiered framing. Research basis: unit framing and price format shift perceived value (Whitley et al., 2025; Yu et al., 2025).

Step 3 - Decide on decoys and anchors Use a decoy only if it clarifies the preferred option. Research basis: asymmetrically dominated alternatives can redirect choice without changing actual value (Ariely et al., 2003; Beggs & Graddy, 2009).

Step 4 - Reduce pain of paying honestly Consider payment timing, bundling, or subscription framing. Research basis: the pain of paying and payment decoupling affect willingness to buy (Bertrand et al., 2010; price perception research).

Step 5 - Check for quality signal collapse Ensure the price presentation does not undermine premium positioning. Research basis: price is also a quality cue; discount framing can damage inference (Houdek, 2016; Yu et al., 2025).

DECISION MATRIX

Variable: audience sensitivity

• If price sensitive -> emphasize affordability, savings, and clarity.
• If value sensitive -> emphasize outcomes and total return.
• If premium sensitive -> emphasize quality signal and confidence.

Variable: product type

• If commodity-like -> use comparison and savings framing.
• If premium -> use anchor strength and quality cues.
• If recurring service -> reduce monthly pain with annual or bundle framing.

Variable: trust stage

• If low trust -> keep pricing plain and transparent.
• If medium trust -> add anchors and comparison.
• If high trust -> optimize the package, not just the number.

FAILURE MODES - DO NOT DO THESE

Failure Mode 1

• Agents typically: use anchors so high they feel fake.
• Why it fails psychologically: fake anchors trigger suspicion.
• Instead: use credible anchors tied to real alternatives.

Failure Mode 2

• Agents typically: use decoys that feel manipulative.
• Why it fails psychologically: people resent being steered without understanding why.
• Instead: use decoys only when they clarify value.

Failure Mode 3

• Agents typically: discount premium offers until quality signals collapse.
• Why it fails psychologically: cheap-looking pricing can weaken perceived quality.
• Instead: protect the product's status signal.

ETHICAL GUARDRAILS

This skill must:

• Present real prices honestly.
• Avoid deceptive countdowns or fake comparisons.
• Support informed choice.

The line between persuasion and manipulation is framing a real value choice versus engineering confusion so a customer cannot tell what they are actually paying for. Never cross it.

SKILL CHAINING

Before invoking this skill, the agent should have completed:

• @loss-aversion-designer
• @trust-calibrator

This skill's output feeds into:

• @copywriting-psychologist
• @pitch-psychologist
• @pricing page-style outputs

OUTPUT QUALITY CHECK

Before finalizing output, the agent asks:

• Did I set a credible reference point?
• Did I choose a price format that fits the product?
• Did I avoid manipulative decoys?
• Did I protect the quality signal?
• Does the pricing presentation preserve trust?

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.