In the UK, "fixed penalty notices" (parking tickets) cost e.g. £35 if you pay them within 14 days, or £70 if you pay them later. This is spun as an "early payment discount", but can also be viewed as a "late payment punishment".
A surprising number of people seem to think that they are getting a bargain if they pay early. I appreciate "a surprising number" is not a highly accurate data point :) I am currently reading Cialdini's Influence - some of the research suggests this method of offering the carrot before the stick do work.
A surprising number of people seem to think that they are getting a bargain if they pay early. I appreciate "a surprising number" is not a highly accurate data point :) I am currently reading Cialdini's Influence - some of the research suggests this method of offering the carrot before the stick do work.