Advertising Ethics

verb to sell more of something than is actually available or than is reasonable

• It is important not to oversell the benefits of the new product in the marketing materials.
• Don't oversell the car to your friend, let them make their own decision.
• The salesman tried to oversell me on the phone, but I wasn't buying it.
• She tends to oversell her abilities, but in reality, she is just an average performer.

noun a deceptive marketing practice in which a customer is lured in by an attractive offer only to be presented with a less desirable offer or product

conjunction used to connect the two deceptive actions of baiting and switching

• The company was accused of using a bait-and-switch tactic to lure customers in with false promises.
• I can't believe they pulled a bait-and-switch on us like that.
• That store is known for their bait-and-switch scams.
• Her offer seemed genuine at first, but it turned out to be a bait-and-switch in the end.