WHY THE LAST COOKIE IN THE JAR MAKES YOUR MOUTH WATER Scarcity Error

When we see that something is different, unique, and having a shortage then we love to own it. That things attract us and we see them as more valuable than others. Rare is valuable. The scarcity error is as old as mankind.

We need to assess products and services solely based on their price and benefits. It should be of no importance if an item is disappearing fast, nor if others are also interested to buy it.

Business – Many business houses try to attract customers by creating a scarcity of their products. They show the availability of only a limited number of products which forces customers to make any impulsive decisions. When we make an impulsive decision then we scarify rational thinking. 

Investment – Few listed businesses are unique, different than others, well managed. Such businesses are few so People are attracted towards such businesses and suddenly those become more valuable and started trading at a higher valuation. This is what we have experienced about the quality companies in the recent stock market cycle.

Many times, businesses getting premium as an only listed company on the bourse but that should not be the only reason to invest in a company or to give a higher premium to the business. People mostly fear missing out (FOMO) particular opportunity and run behind it, so that float available for a particular stock starts reducing and demand for it starts increasing which will increase the price of a stock.

We should check whether the company has fundamental value compared to the price commanding on the bourse. If the company is not fundamentally stronger then it is no right way to chase uniqueness of business or only listed company or low shares floating in the market. We should have well-defined philosophy to invest in businesses and if the stock does not fall under it then we must avoid it. Also, we should not take a speedy decision, speedy decisions can be harmful. We are not going to miss any opportunity, the market has thrown opportunities before our birth and also going to throw after our death. We remain or not, opportunities in the market always are there to serve.

This entire series will be review with various examples from books which are Thinking, Fast and Slow and The Art of Thinking Clearly.