Is there a Spanish equivalent for the English phrase "bait and switch"?

Question

In English a "bait-and-switch" is a classic swindle in which one price is agreed upon, but then changed (to a higher amount) after the buyer has completed part of the process (for example, a taxi ride). Another example might be offering a product at a low price (the bait) but when the customer comes in to buy they are told that the only product remaining is a more costly one.

Answer 1

Ah ha! Found it. Cebo y el anzuelo (o los productos atados). Literally, "bait and hook". This was a good exercise for me!

De wikipedia en español:

Modelo del cebo y el anzuelo (también llamado el de los productos atados). Consiste en ofrecer un producto básico a un precio muy bajo, a menudo con pérdidas (el cebo) y entonces cobrar precios excesivos por los recambios o productos o servicios asociados.

The bait and hook model (also called the tied products). Consists of offering a basic product at a very low price (the bait), often at a loss, and then charging excessive prices for refills or associated products or services.

• Nice job, limes! :-) - chaparrito Nov 10, 2009
• Yes...let me echo that sentiment...Nice job, limes - Izanoni1 Nov 10, 2009
• ¡Muchas gracias todos! :) - limes Nov 10, 2009

Answer 2

The closest thing that I can think of would be the phrase: "dar gato por liebre."

This literally means to "sell someone a cat as a rabbit," as if a butcher were to sell someone meat that he claimed was rabbit only for it really to be cat.

It's not quite "bait and switch" but its the closest I can think of. It's probably more like a con, a swindle or a fraud similar to "engaña," "timor," "estafa," or "engañabobos."

Perhaps an expert (in Spanish not in bait-and-switch ) will be able to come along and expand on this for us.

• Good try! I like that. Also, I'm interested in your word for rabbit - "leibre." First time I've seen it. Conejo is more common in Mexico, at least. - 0057ed01 Nov 10, 2009
• I think that it is probably more like "sell someone a cat for a *hare*" - Izanoni1 Nov 10, 2009

Answer 3

There is also : Se tragó plomo y carnada. --- He swallowed hook and sinker.

• I like that one, too. - Izanoni1 Nov 10, 2009

Answer 4

Many thanks to all. In my case it was a 75 cent swindle exercised by a Oaxaca cab driver: we agreed on a price of 40 pesos before I got in the cab. Once underway he said "What was that address again? Oh, for that address it will cost 50." One can either get out, pay the 50, or call the bluff and pay 40 at arrival and tell him to call the cops if he wants. Perhaps best to a) agree on a price and b) agree on no price changes en route before getting in