Tying sales happen when a customer is allowed to buy one product only if the customer also buys a second

product. Tying sales are controversial because they force consumers to purchase a product that they may not

actually want or need. Further, the additional, required products are not necessarily advantageous to the

customer. Suppose that to purchase a popular DVD, the store required that you also purchase a certain

portable TV model. These products are only loosely related, thus there is no reason to make the purchase of

one contingent on the other. Even if a customer were interested in a portable TV, the tying to a particular

model prevents the customer from having the option of selecting one from the numerous types available in the

market.

A related, but not identical, concept is bundling, where a firm sells two or more products as one. Bundling

typically offers an advantage for consumers by allowing them to acquire multiple products or services for a
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