Bandwagon Effect

The bandwagon effect is a play on the phrase "jump on the bandwagon" which describes the act of going along with something because other people are doing it. The bandwagon effect primarily refers to consumer behavior. A popular TV personality starts wearing a certain kind of pants, and suddenly everyone is wearing them.

In 1986, Jack Nicklaus won the Masters using a prototype putter (not in production). The day after he won, there were 6,000 orders for the not-in-production putter. The putter sold 350,000 units by the end of 1987. MacGregor (the company that manufactured the putter) experienced the bandwagon effect of golfers buying the putter in huge numbers.

Falling off the wagon has no connection to the bandwagon effect, unless, of course, the bandwagon has a free bar.

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