upsell

[ uhp-sel ]

verb (used with or without object)

, up·sold, up·sell·ing.

1. to try to persuade (a customer) to buy more, or to buy something more expensive:

   I don’t like aggressive salesmen trying to upsell me or tack on expensive warranties.

2. to sell (something) in this way:

   Want to upsell merchandise or VIP experiences on your website? No problem.

noun

1. an act or instance of making such an attempt (often used attributively):

   Unlike other software companies, we don't have complex pricing tiers or upsells.

   If one of your other products would solve a customer's problem, it's a great opportunity to send an upsell email.

Word History and Origins

Origin of upsell¹

First recorded in 1975–80; up- ( def ) + sell ¹( def )

Example Sentences

At Shake Shack, self-service kiosks help “guarantee that the upsell opportunities” like a milkshake or fries — popular menu options — are suggested to customers upon ordering.

From Salon

They are bad at upselling customers, apparently the backbone of the auto repair business, but one wonders how they have any customers to upsell to at all, their service being worse than nonexistent.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike people, the programmed machines are always trying to “upsell,” never forgetting to ask customers whether they want a drink with their meal or something else to go along with their entree.

From Los Angeles Times

In a series of malpractice lawsuits filed against the Laguna Beach physician, patients alleged that he unnecessarily forced them to be nude for an examination, made inappropriate comments about their bodies, touched them without consent, tried to upsell other procedures moments before they went under the knife and, in some cases, botched the surgeries.

From Los Angeles Times

And in an echo of the way computer makers upsell memory, the base model of a smartphone typically includes a modest amount of data storage that isn’t likely to be enough to hold your photos, videos and apps for the long haul.

From New York Times