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Mystery Price

A prize package was shown, including one (smaller) prize that was dubbed the Mystery Price. The contestant had to build up enough of a bank to cover the Mystery Price.

The contestant had four chances to build up their bank by bidding on four small prizes. If their bid was under the ARP of the small prize, that bid went into the bank; however, if they overbid, $0 went into the bank. After four bids were made, the Mystery Price was revealed. If the contestants’ bank met or exceeded the Mystery Price, they won the entire prize package.

Mystery Price had a nifty idea at its core, but its presentation confused contestants and Bob had to overexplain each aspect to compensate, causing the game to run too long. It only lasted 17 playings in Season 2 before being quietly retired.

A scene from The Price is Right in 1973 featuring a host pointing to a large 'Mystery Price' display while a contestant stands beside him.
17th pricing game to debut
S2, September 26 1973 – S2, February 21 1974
Likely created by Frank Wayne
FAQ
S2, Oct 9 1973
A woman in a pink dress stands beside a washer and dryer, with a refrigerator and vacuum cleaner in the background, showcasing a prize package on a game show set.

The prize package for today is themed around “appliances”! A washer/dryer, a refrigerator, a supply of cleaner, and….

A contestant in a pastel dress showcases a Eureka vacuum cleaner on a pedestal against a brick backdrop during a game show.

…the Mystery Price prize, a Eureka vacuum!

A contestant stands beside a host on a game show set with a large circular sign displaying 'Mystery Price'.

And Carolyn can win the whole package playing Mystery Price!

A hand is revealing a panel with a question mark on a game show set, indicating a concealed Mystery Price.

The price of the vacuum is concealed behind this window. If she can bank enough to cover it, Carolyn wins all of the appliances.

Display of various pairs of pants on a game show's presentation table.

She’ll get four chances to add to her bank. Her first chance comes bidding on these pairs of slacks.

A female contestant in a colorful shirt communicates with a male host during a 1973 episode of The Price is Right.

Carolyn counts them, and bids $65.

A sign displaying the price of slacks, indicated as , during the Mystery Price game on a 1973 episode of The Price is Right.

Actual Retail Price… $80! She didn’t overbid!

Display board for the game show segment 'Mystery Price' showing bank amount of and the price of slacks as .

Carolyn wins the slacks, and $65 goes into the bank.

A display of children's books from the 'Childcraft' series arranged neatly on a red table. A hand is reaching towards the books, and a small sign indicates 'Childcraft'.

The next prize Carolyn will bid on? A series of children’s books. Carolyn bids $105…

A game show scoreboard displaying a contestant's current bank total of 0 and a hidden Mystery Price marked with a question mark, alongside a list of prizes.

And she’s under on those, too! Add $105 to the bank!

A game show display showing a bank total of 0 and a hidden price amount labeled '?', with a visible card on the side.

Unfortunately, she overbid on the other two prizes and couldn’t bank more. If $170 is enough to cover the price of the vacuum, she’s still a winner…

Display of the contestant's bank totaling 0 and the value of 0 for the Mystery Price game.

…and she’s got it! Enjoy the appliances!

S2, Oct 5 1973
A game show host points towards a prize display in a retro-styled living room, featuring various pieces of furniture including a yellow bean bag chair, a red stool, and an old television.

Another prize package is themed around “things to entertain”. The espresso machine on the table at the right is the Mystery Price.

A woman holds a green chainsaw on a game show set, showcasing it as a potential prize.

Hey, in the right hands, a chainsaw could be a PERFECT thing of entertainment!

S2, Nov 29 1973
A contestant stands on stage, looking focused while a host gestures and explains the game rules, with colorful game show set background.

Bob had a habit of overexplaining every possibility that could happen, which may have confused contestants further and caused the game to run too long for a half-hour show.

A game show set featuring a presenter beside a wooden cabinet, a roulette-style game wheel, and a gambling table, with decorative lanterns in the background.

It’s a stereo, a game table, and the Mystery Price prize, a sewing machine! What do these have in common? I don’t know either!

A scoreboard showing a bank total of and a target amount of 5 for the game Mystery Price.

Too bad… she alternated between bidding too conservatively and overbidding, and fell short of covering the sewing machine.

S2, Jan 21 1974
A model showcases a blue car during the Mystery Price game show segment, with a woman in a red dress gesturing towards it, set against a colorful background with decorative columns and palm plants.

It’s a NEW CAR!… and a set of tires, and a car radio to serve as the Mystery Price!

Contestant points to the Mystery Price window displaying a question mark and a value of 3 on a game show set.

Wow, Thelma nailed all four prizes, including a $99 bid on the last one!

Display of the bank amount showing 7 and a target price of 0 in a game show setting.

She had the price of the car radio covered, and THEN some!

S2, Jan 31 1974
A woman in a dress points to a white bicycle displayed next to a striped tent and a red cart on a game show set.

The most fun aspect of the game was seeing how they’d tie the Mystery Price prize in with the rest of the package. Here the prize is a bicycle, to go with a camper, fishing equipment, and a supply of rye crackers.