{For much the same reason, early owners discovered that if they charged odd amounts like 49 cents or 99 cents the cashier would very probably have to open the drawer to extract a penny change, obviating the possibility of the dreaded unrecorded transaction. Only later did it dawn on merchants that $1.99 had the odd subliminal quality of seeming markedly cheaper than $2.}
In "Made in America," Bill Bryson discusses how early retailers realized that pricing items at odd figures, such as 49 or 99 cents, helped to prevent unrecorded sales. When cashiers had to open the cash drawer to provide penny change, it ensured that the transaction would be documented. This practice emerged out of a need to maintain accurate records in sales.
Furthermore, Bryson highlights how merchants eventually recognized that pricing something at $1.99 felt significantly cheaper than a straight $2. This psychological pricing tactic has since become a common strategy in retail, reflecting how consumer perception can influence buying behavior.
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