The custom of giving customers more than their money’s worth to ensure satisfaction has its roots in the expression “baker’s dozen.”

Because of the way rolls, buns and cakes were cooked in the 15th century London – in three rows of four – they were sold in batches of a dozen.

The goods were fashioned by hand, of course, and bakers found that they could make them smaller without the customer being any the wiser. Who could tell the difference, after all, when 12 items were stuffed into a bag?

Well, enough people apparently could tell, because London lawmakers passed laws that standardized the weight of these goods.

Stiff fines and jail sentences were imposed if the totals were off, so bakers often took the precaution of throwing in an extra roll or cake to make absolutely sure they made the required weight.

Hence, 13 to a baker's dozen.

It was classic a Win-Win-Win situation.

Customers won – they got an extra roll or donut.
Bakers won – they never had to worry about violating any laws.
And the City of London won too since they did not have to devote any precious law enforcement resources to consumer fraud.

Good business is good for everybody.

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