Why I’m No Longer Looking for a $13 Clicker (And What That Says About Pricing)
I love my Kindle. Actually, that’s underselling it. I love all of my Kindles—because yes, I have more than one. There’s one in my purse, one in the living room, one next to the bathtub, and one that lives over my bed like it pays rent. I know it sounds excessive, but they all serve a purpose and they spark joy, so here we are.
And with multiple Kindles comes… a lot of Kindle accessories. We’re talking covers, stands, grips, and yes—clickers. My husband got a good laugh when I told him I bought a remote for something I hold in my hand. Little did he know I also have stands to prop it up so I don’t have to hold it. I’m just out here trying to build the coziest, most efficient reading ecosystem possible.
The $13 Clicker That Taught Me a Lesson
So here’s where it gets interesting. I saw a new clicker on TikTok—a cute, sleek little remote that clicks together magnetically and charges as one piece. Very satisfying. Even better, it was $12.95. Honestly, a steal. I bought two—one for me, one for my mom. It arrived, looked great, worked perfectly… for a few days. And then it just quit.
It won’t pair. It says it’s charging, but it’s lying to my face with its tiny red light. And listen, I’m not someone who’s going to spend energy returning something that cost $13. So now it lives in a drawer of disappointment, and I’m back to square one.
What I’ve realized? I’m no longer the customer for the cheapest version of anything. And that has everything to do with pricing—and how we think pricing works in business.
What Pricing Really Does (and Doesn’t Do)
We hear this a lot: “Lower the price and people will buy.” But… that’s not really how it works. Not in the long run.
Here’s what I’ve learned—both as a revenue strategist and a person who has purchased more Kindle accessories than one human probably should:
Price does not create demand. Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean people want it. It might create curiosity or a quick hit of excitement (shoutout to TikTok), but it won’t create real, lasting demand.
Price signals value. When I see something that’s too cheap, I automatically question it. And honestly, I should have questioned that $13 clicker—but the algorithm got me.
Low price doesn’t guarantee satisfaction. I didn’t save money. I wasted it. Because now I’m going to spend more to get the clicker I should’ve bought in the first place.
Real Talk: Be the $40 Clicker
I’ve learned that I’d rather be the brand that feels reliable and trustworthy—the one people are willing to pay a little more for because they know it’ll work. That doesn’t mean you need to be the most expensive option. But it does mean you don’t need to be the cheapest either.
If you’re a small business owner, or someone trying to figure out how to price your service, product, or offer—don’t assume you’ll sell more just by lowering the price. You might actually be undervaluing yourself and attracting the wrong kind of buyer.
TL;DR
I bought a cheap clicker.
It was cute.
It died.
I regret everything.
Price for the quality and experience you actually deliver—not for the impulse buy you hope will work out.
Need help figuring out how to price your services or products without second-guessing every number? Let’s talk. Visit kellyhaynie.com to learn more about how I help businesses get confident in their pricing and grow their revenue—without racing to the bottom.
