I feel that there is a strong negative connotation to the word “manipulation” and that its use in this field is not always appropriate. When the features of a product or the availability of a product convince a consumer that they should purchase it, that is simply persuasion. However, if an individual is coerced into buying a product, either with wrong information or through deceit, that would be closer to manipulation. Techniques that a salesman uses to persuade a consumer is not something I would consider to be manipulative so long as the consumer is not misled by the sales pitch. We are all individuals with irrational desires and interests, exploiting these interests is fair game when it comes to marketing.