Last Cyber Monday, I rushed to put a very-much-on-sale grill into my virtual shopping cart. I texted my daughter to make sure my son-in-law really wanted it, because this limited-quantity deal would not be returnable. I entered my credit card number as soon as she responded. Moments later, I got an email: “Sorry, sold out.”
I had no grill, only someone counting on getting one. I bought the grill, but at more than twice the price of the deal I missed.
Welcome to FOMO. Fear of missing out has become one of the great marketing tactics of the holiday season.