That's an interesting idea, Nigel. I've never heard it before.

Here in America I'd wager that *most* prices end in a "99" (or, for lesser items, a ".49") of one kind or another. This is true even in supermarkets and variety stores, where most people purchase several items at once, all of which have to be rung up on the register.

Even gasoline is priced with a "99." In that case, it's only 99/100 of a cent. You won't see gas for "3.14 gal." What you see instead is "3.13 99/100 gal."

And nowadays most customers pay with a check or plastic.

Maybe Americans are just more gullible; but there's something about that "not quite 100" that makes everything look like a bargain!