Part C2 · Choice Architecture and Evidence

All-in Prices vs Partitioned Prices

Partitioned pricing splits a price into a base plus fees. It looks cheaper at first glance, and customers feel misled when the fees appear.

All-in Prices vs Partitioned Prices · Illustrated by Hendra Saputra with AI assistanceSelect the illustration to explore it at a larger size.

The idea

A base price with additional fees can look cheaper than the amount eventually payable. Show the full price clearly before the customer commits, keep fee information visible, and test both completion and complaints. Assess applicable display requirements separately when implementing a commercial offer.

Use it thoughtfully

  • Show one all-in price on the first screen.
  • Remove fees that appear only at checkout.
  • Check consumer-protection rules on price display.

An example

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE: An app replaces 'Rp 45,000 + fees' with 'Rp 50,000 all-in' and tracks checkout drop-off and complaints.

A question to try

Is the first price a customer sees the price they finally pay?

A useful framework is a starting point, not a guarantee. Effects vary with the audience, product and situation. Use truthful evidence, respect customer choice, and test the result.

Connect the ideas

Illustration

Use + and − to zoom, scroll to explore, or Escape to close. Please seek permission before reusing an illustration.