What does it mean to advertise goods or services with intent not to sell them?

Advertising goods or services with the intent not to sell them is a deceptive practice that misleads consumers. This involves presenting an item as available for purchase when, in reality, there is no intention to sell it. This can create false expectations for consumers and can lead to frustration and distrust in advertising. It violates ethical standards and regulations that require businesses to be honest about what they are offering.

The other options do not accurately capture this concept. Selling at a discounted price typically implies a legitimate sale, while creating promotional hype usually involves genuine offers to entice customers. Managing public relations focuses more on shaping public perception and does not directly relate to the act of advertising goods with no intent to sell. Therefore, misleading consumers about availability is the core issue that defines this deceptive practice.