sticker shock
Costly tag reaction
Sticker shock is the unpleasant surprise at seeing how expensive something is, especially when the price far exceeds expectations.
The term originated with car buying, where the sticker displays the manufacturer's suggested retail price: I got sticker shock when I saw what they wanted for a basic sedan.
Now applies to any unexpectedly high price.
Costing much money
- overpricedCosting more than warranted
- inflatedExpanded with gas
- exorbitantUnreasonably high, as costs
- costlyHigh in price
steep · pricey · sky-high · premium · markup · surcharge · gouging · rip-off
Too costly to buy
- financial planningOrganizing future monetary goals
- savingsAccumulated money kept
- cost controlManaging expenses systematically
- money managementOverseeing personal funds
frugality · MSRP · hidden fees · total cost · out-of-pocket · down payment · monthly payment · financing
Sharp cost increase
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- cost increaseGrowth in expense
- purchasing powerEconomic spending ability
- devaluationLowering of currency worth
rising prices · consumer prices · cost of living · market rates · supply chain · shrinkflation · adjustment · index
expensive
Costing much money
- overpricedCosting more than warranted
- inflatedExpanded with gas
- exorbitantUnreasonably high, as costs
costly · steep · pricey · sky-high · premium · markup · surcharge · gouging · rip-off · highway robbery
unaffordable
Too costly to buy
- financial planningOrganizing future monetary goals
- savingsAccumulated money kept
- cost controlManaging expenses systematically
money management · frugality · MSRP · hidden fees · total cost · out-of-pocket · down payment · monthly payment · financing · affordability
price surge
Sharp cost increase
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- cost increaseGrowth in expense
- purchasing powerEconomic spending ability
devaluation · rising prices · consumer prices · cost of living · market rates · supply chain · shrinkflation · adjustment · index · commodities
- shoppingbuying, shopping cart, shop, purchases, sale
- spendingspending, shopping, purchases, expenses, bills
- pricingpricing, discount price, overpricing, discounts, overcharge
- luxuryluxury, wealth, luxurious, opulent, opulence
- money slangbucks, dough, moolah, cheddar, cash
- saving moneybudget, savings, discount, sale, coupon
sticker shockgreat deal
Substantial quantity or value
bargain · steal · pleasant surprise · good value · discount
shocking, shocked, sticker, stickers, shocker, shockingly, stickering, price tag, shock value