Bait and switch
Download control opens an unrelated installer
A fictional account page labels a prominent control “Download document”, but it launches an optional browser-extension installer instead.
Individual HTML example · Sneaking
Selected basic fare changes at confirmation
A fictional booking flow records a basic fare selection but the final action purchases a premium flexible fare without a new price-and-product confirmation.
This is an original fictional comparison. It depicts no real company and is not a legal finding or safe harbour.
Selected basic fare changes at confirmation
A fictional booking flow records a basic fare selection but the final action purchases a premium flexible fare without a new price-and-product confirmation.
Complete booking. The final summary silently substitutes the premium fare.. Amount affected: €240: Pay €240. Pay €240. Book basic fare €160
Basic fare selected. The fare, conditions and €160 total match the earlier choice.. Amount affected: €160: Book basic fare €160. Book basic fare €160. Pay €240. Payable total and selected items, expanded: The summary shows the line items and total before “Book basic fare €160” is activated.
Why the first version can mislead: The final commercial state diverges from the choice represented earlier in the journey. The problematic state records: “The final summary silently substitutes the premium fare.” Review the timing and affirmative selection needed before “Pay €240” changes price, product or recurring liability. The traveller may buy a different, more expensive product than the one selected.
What a fairer design does: Preserve the selected fare and require explicit review if availability requires a different product or price.
Show annotated differences (2)
Potentially problematic version
- Book basic fare €160In “Selected basic fare changes at confirmation”, this element shows how bait and switch can shape the decision.
Neutral alternative
- Payable total and selected items, expanded: The summary shows the line items and total before “Book basic fare €160” is activated.In “Selected basic fare changes at confirmation”, this element keeps the clearer alternative visible at the same decision point.
Review questions (3)
- Which affirmative action authorises “Pay €240”, and where is the resulting price, product or recurring state shown before commitment?
- Compare the basket before and after the action, including total and line items; does the mutation satisfy “The observed post-action state materially differs from that outcome”?
- Which specific affirmative event creates the final commercial state, and could “availability change explained before commitment” explain the observed outcome instead?
Complete pattern context
How this example relates to Bait and switch
The user selects a represented action or offer but receives a materially different outcome that favours the business. The label describes a recurring design mechanism; whether a particular implementation is harmful or unlawful depends on the complete journey, audience, evidence and rules within scope.
The full guide explains inclusion and exclusion criteria, harms, fair design principles, evidence questions and the relevant EU legal information layers. The example page isolates one scenario so it can be shared and discussed without reproducing the complete library on one page.
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Sources and provenance for this example
Evidence base
Sources
- Dark commercial patternsOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development · Secondary · checked 2026-09-14 · OECD Digital Economy Papers No. 336
- Unfair Commercial Practices DirectiveEuropean Parliament and Council of the European Union · Primary · checked 2026-08-09 · Directive 2005/29/EC; CELEX 02005L0029-20220528