More "BS marketing" I'm sure consumers can SEE THROUGH this (in more ways than one!)

Previous forays into BS Marketing include...

When Dannon (suddenly) went from 8 oz./cup to 6 oz./cup -- while keeping the price the same!

Bryers (suddenly) put their ice cream in a container that LOOKED just like the normal 1/2 gallon tub -- but was actually a SMALLER (new, non-standard) amount -- and charged the same price.

NOW...

A nat'l plastic bag co (zip lok, glad? I can't remember -- I just saw the commercial) is pushing their new "ECO-BAGS" which use 25% LESS PLASTIC (READ: THEY ARE THINNNNER BAGS!!!) -- supposedly to save the environment (!!!)

That's BS marketing enough, to be sure...

But then the TOPPER of them all!...

----- Here's the part that pushes the *BS-O-METER* to the limit! --- the ads proclaims the 25% LESS plastic, then says (with a STRAIGHT FACE!!!) -- "at no extra charge."

LOL LOL LOL LOL!!!

You HAVE to be kidding me!

Cheers!

-- TW

PS: That's yet another meeting I really wish I could've been at! "Ok, George -- Thank you for that presentation... Now... All those in favor of this latest clever way of shafting our customers..."

TW,

Thanks for mentioning this.

I get a kick out of the ads that make statements and claims that Appear to make sense but actually are completely meaningless...

Contains 25% moisturizing milk. [what the heck is moisturizing milk?]

Has exfoliating micro beads [your guess is as good as mine. But I'm thinking small plastic balls that cost bugger all but mean less chemical in the bottle while still charging the same]

Installing X brand above ground pool is good for you and the environment [how? well, no mention of that. I'm still trying to work that one out]

I also like the Implied ads. Where implications are made and any conclusions are really drawn by your own mind and not actually stated...

We all know eating healthy is the best way to start the day. Cheerios satisfy the whole family. [if you think they're nutritious that's your own doing]

Kids need water. Cottees makes water fun. [colored sugar syrup does not make a good water additive]

Did you know when we work on a computer we tend to blink 80% less than we normally do? And that the increased UV rays which result from Global Warming, (even through winter!) can have a detrimental effect on our eyesight? [did you know looking right at the sun is no good for your eyes - regardless of any dubious Global Warming scaremongering?]

Dogs are our best friends and we know how important it is to keep him/her happy and healthy. Novartis Sentinel®Spectrum is a great product designed to conveniently treat your pet for parasites [Great product? That it keeps them Healthy & Happy is your own conclusion never actually stated]

Life can be busy and it's not always easy to eat a balanced diet. Centrum can help [yeah yeah, heard it all before. It has vitamins and minerals just like all fruit and vegetables do]

Saving you 23% on your car insurance [in small almost illegible writing - compared with a different policy we also offer]

Reach toothbrushes clean your teeth 51% better [better than what?]

And so on and so forth.

All these things stand out like dogs cods to me. All the Global Financial Crisis talk. Swine flu. SARS scaremongering years back. But it seems Most people don't see it even when their own experiences tell them otherwise.

Guys on construction sites taking home $1,500 a week concerned about the Global Financial Crisis when the job they're on has 3 years left to run and the Co is putting more people on almost daily to complete the project on time.

One delivery guy telling his customer he might have to close shop. Why is business down? Oh no, I'm busier than ever but with this global financial crisis...

I want to go overseas, but what with SARS I think I'll stay here to see what happens.

In the state of NSW in the last 79 days over one million people have rushed to get Tamiflu shots In Case they get Swine Flu. Despite Swine Flu not being the mass killer thing the media say it COULD be and despite Tamiflu not being effective against that Swine Flu strain and despite them seeing with their own eyes that people are not dropping like flies due to it.

One kid in a school is diagnosed and suddenly all the parents are lining up with their children to get jabbed.

War On Terror - terror is a feeling. Does that mean we are like having a war on sadness, anxiety or such? Seems to me the constant govt/media hype is what's giving people feelings of Terror.

Of course, the biggest BSers are the govt. Every policy is about This or That as in... to Help blah blah blah. HOW this will help blah blah blah is never mentioned. Because you cannot scrutinize govt policies too closely you know. Just accept what you are being told.

Conclusion TW is that "No" people do not see through the BS. In fact, it would appear the opposite is true... they accept it and even parrot it back.

Look at songs. People don't comprehend the lyrics. Cases in point...

Bryan Adams: Run To You

She says her love for me could never die
But thatd change if she ever found out about you and i

Oh - but her love is cold
It wouldnt hurt her if she didnt know, cause...

When it gets too much
I need to feel your touch

Im gonna run to you
Im gonna run to you
Cause when the feelins right Im gonna run all night
Im gonna run to you
Shes got a heart of gold shed never let me down
But youre the one that always turns me on

This is not an endearing love song.

How many people get married to the Body Guard song...

If I should stay,
I would only be in your way.
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you ev'ry step of the way.

Try this fun exercise... get a newspaper and a magic market and highlight all the baseless claims and statements made in stories and ads and the like. I think you'll be surprised.

Michael Ross
www.michaelrossonline.com

Allstate car insurance has an "accident forgiveness" policy.

If you get into an accident, your rates will not go up (after first accident only) -- but, the fine print says, this aspect of the policy COSTS EXTRA! In other words, you can pay a higher rate NOW, month after month, whether you have an accident or not, just to protect that HIGHER rate from 'going up' *IF* you do have an accident -- makes NO sense at all, but sounds good.

Then there's the classic fine print example: *the price has increased due to the inclusion of a free gift.

Or this one which was used here locally for YEARS, and really SEEMS to make SENSE -- until your think about it for a minute...

"WE WILL BEAT ANY COMPETITOR'S PRICE, OR YOUR MATTRESS IS FREE!!!!!"

Well that means the mattress will NEVER be free. If the competitor's price is $318, that means your price will be $317. No matter how low the competitor's price is, it will always be way more than $1 -- so the mattress will never be "FREEEEE!!!!" as the promoter proclaims (LOUDLY!).

Here's the ULTIMATE one -- also used here locally for MANY years -- but the guy finally went out of biz...

"We will BEAT THE PRICE OF ANY SEALY, POSTUREPAEDIC, or SIMMONS MATTRESS, GUARANTEED!!!"

Here's the HIDDEN catch (very clever, actually) -- The store YELLING that claim DOES NOT SELL THOSE FAMOUS BRANDS!!

Notice it says "beat the price *OF* (not *ON*)..." So, yes, the no-name mattresses he was selling WERE cheaper than the name brands mentioned!!!

As I say, actually pretty clever. Deceptive yes -- but creative + clever, just the same.

I've also seen storefronts covered in paper banners saying, "Going Out for Business" Instead of going out OF business.

Yes, it is a fun exercise.

"This way to the Egress..."

Cheers!

-- TW