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.