Marketing Ploys & Other Scams
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Save Time......just burn your money
" NEW! Scientific breakthrough, taking the country by storm ! The most powerful, fast-acting beauty transformation product ever...well-guarded Hollywood secret now exposed and made available to the general public. The "miracle," every woman has been waiting for ! Order yours today, while supplies last. This amazing offer will not be repeated after mid-night today! Call now to order your 30 day supply of "Make Me Gorgeous," beauty balm. Cosmetic surgery in a jar ! (See actual, unretouched photos, right )
The example may be a bit over-the-top and the majority of us would like to claim we'd NEVER fall for such outrageous advertising bunk. I would agree, to a point. But the reality is, we're all susceptible to the rampant marketing ploys, cleverly used to suck in the consumer and take our money. That's the main goal, the sole intention, the bottom line, friends. THEY want OUR money. The very term, "ploy," implies that the consumer is being tricked, duped, sucked in.......lied to. Picture yourself in a dark alley, accosted by some thug with a gun to your head, "Gimme all yer money, now!"
It's OK to confess
You may be reluctant to admit having ever been pulled in by the billions of dollars worth of smoke and mirrors that all companies spend per year, to fleece our pockets. This is fine. I understand. It wasn't easy for me to stand tall, admit my vulnerability and the times I walked straight into the trap. Yes, I have hung my head in shame, trying to forgive myself for my moments of weakness and total disregard for my hard-earned cash.
Hey, we're human, remember, we all make mistakes? We learn our lessons, usually the hard way, which of course, leaves more of an impression upon us. Right? Sure it does.
It's not our fault ! Advertising is everywhere. The Marketing Monster seeks it's prey 24/7, via any and every means possible. It cannot be escaped, nor even avoided. Billboards, magazines, newspapers, "Junk Mail," and television. Just try to ignore it, I dare you.
It stands to reason, people. We must arm ourselves and be ever-ready to do battle with the enemy.......the cunning and coniving thieves who rob us blind. We have to lock up our money and refuse to give it up to the liars and those who taunt us with their must-have products. Can we do this?
Stay clear of enemy territory
All day, all night airing of The Shopping Network, QVC and those 60-second quickies, flashed on the screen at each commercial break. That gadget that stops your dog from his annoying barking, the magic pill that melts away fat as you sleep and who can resist the CLAPPER? Not a one of them work. Not that I would know, you see, but people tell me....I'm just sayin.....
It's all so convenient too. A toll-free number, operators on duty at all times, just pick up the phone. Have you noticed there's a constant price that seems to be attached to all these products? How is it possible that they're all $19.99 plus shipping & handling? Could it be, it's all the same group of con-artists from a huge warehouse full of garbage made in India, China or Japan? This uniform price keeps the bookwork simple. These twenty dollar items are worth approximately ten cents a piece, meaning a hell of a profit to these junk vendors.
You know, this is such a small, small world. I wonder....could you and I have the same deceased family members from Nigeria, trying desperately to contact us to claim our inheritance? You never know. Tell ya what, you go ahead and send them that information they need and the money order for $1500 to cover the legal fees and then give me a call. Sound like a plan, buddy?
The economic crisis, that sad situation we're all struggling through, requires a huge dose of common sense, amongst other things. Perhaps this crisis can offer at least, an opportunity to shake us up and wake us up. Maybe being literally forced to take a serious look at the big picture of our own finances, will be a part of our salvation.
I've learned to play tricks on myself to avoid temptation. In my moments of attraction to the marketing ploys bombarding my senses, I quickly divert my attention to the closets full of stuff and spare room packed with foolish purchases, many still unopened. I remind myself that Spring is just a couple months away and that means Yard Sales! This is where we can find just about anything we've ever seen advertised. The lawns and garages all over town will be offering all the crap we can possibly carry.....less than half price! For that matter, I may be able to simply swap with my neighbor....my junk for her junk. Now, THAT'S saving money.
The ploys and scams are with us to stay. Hold your ground and use a mantra if you must. Be sensible, responsible and mature....plug your ears, close your eyes and scream out, "Liar, Liar, pants on fire!!"
BTW? that "before picture? It's NOT me. Unfortunately, niether is the "after" picture.
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Yes, Pcunix.....they all do eventually wind up on the shelves of the Dollar Stores and I have also seen them at Wal*Mart... The surplus left over from the TV promotions. Ultimately, they wind up on some shelf somehwere and as I said, re-sold in a garage sale, traded, given away or just tossed out. They serve a purpose after all. So would the HUNDREDS of dollars spent on this "stuff," in the 1st. place! Yes? LOL. Thanks for stopping by...."Hello" to your bees knees! Some things are too cute to forget!
"Just Say No!" I have never bought anything from an infomercial or Home Shopping Channel...I've been tempted but held back. I used to watch the shopping channels for entertainment when I needed a laugh!! Haha!! Any product that says "As seen on TV" are usually bogus anyway. Just my opinion. Great idea for a hub!!:)
Yeah,like Sunshine says, great idea for a hub! Well done, effer! Informative and fun to read. Voted up and all the way across!
"But wait! If you call now, we'll DOUBLE your order! (just pay processing)" =]
The inheritance emails that you mentioned are annoying! I wonder if anyone has fallen for one...
Great hub! Voted up, funny, & awesome!
Sunshine & Victoria...a visit from not one, but TWO of the lovliest BRUNETTES on HubPages! Now this is an infomercial I would gladly pay for!....I'm proud of your will power, Sunshine, but I know about your Yard sailing!! You let everyone else pay the big bucks and then you scoop up all the goodies for pennies!! lmao....Victoria, watch out for for that Linda Sue...she's ONE smart cookie!!!
Great hub! Great Advice! Thanks for sharing.
Veronica...you've got those ads memorized well! They're on so often, I guess we should all hear them in our sleep! I hate to tell you this, but there was an hr-long Dateline on about the Nigerian scams...and YES, people have fallen for it. OMG...right?? Stupid goes to all levels, eh?
That's very true Effer, I forgot to mention I do pick that stuff up at yard sales for a dollar or two and 9 out of 10 times they've only been used once or twice! I get a kick out of the sellers who ask for $5-$10 and say "I paid $20.00 for this and only used it once" LOL one day I just might actually tell them what I'm thinking ... Sucker!! Haha!!
kmaskreations....HI new face!! Always happy to meet a new neighbor! Thanks for the visit. Stop by anytime. I'm off to peek at your site!
Hahaha.. I LOVE the before and after photos. This was informative and funny. I don't buy things from TV. Unless I can see what I am buying, I try not to do this. Hilarious! Voted up!
While this was incredibly funny, it's true too. Goodness knows my makeup box can attest to that! Not to mention the Snuggy I bought that I now contend is nothing more than a death trap! (It's two feet too long and I can't move without tripping on it not to mention it's too thin to keep me warm). The one good thing about it is the dog likes to lay on it. This was a laugh riot and useful too. Thank you!
I got a bit tv marketing happy a couple of years ago and spent quite a bit of money on face creams. They weren't scams, but I'm not a big fan of membership fees for continued shipments. It can be a pain to get out of it if you change your mind about the product.
This is a great hub and I had fun reading it. That first picture is something else!
There's only one "as seen on TV" ad that may have been worth the money I spent (yeah, I'll admit it! ha), but I may want to save that for a later hub. For the most part, I don't think any of those TV things work, or, if they do, (like Miss Olive's face cream) perhaps they cost too much or were hard to get out of! Great topic and great comments here!
Ha ha great hub love it - haven't bought anything off T.V. but I have bought via the internet and adverts in magazines - and thankfully they haven't been too bad. It's the face creams that I too get tempted with, but it's usually the Chemists that get my $$$.
Tammy...poetvix....missolive....victoria lynn & Dreamsinger.......LOOK....all females. I wonder who the shoppers are? Looks like you lovely ladies are pretty good at resisting the urge to "impulse" shop. I buy NOTHING unless I absolutely can't live without it. (Otherwise known as your typical tightwad) Prior single Moms tend to get into learning how to squeeze pennies until Abe begs for mercy. I have at least a couple of friends in denial that they are addicted to their credit cards. I'm sure that their neighbors believe they're having an affair with the Fed-Ex guy!!
Nice Hub
As a fraud specialist I am always preaching that fraud extends beyond the Nigerian frauds, Ponzi (Madhof) scams and other serious newsworthy crimes to sharp business practice and the marketing you are discussing. Tney might only be taking $19.99, but from millions of people this turns out to be a massive fraud.
Thanks, Mark (UK)
Mark...Would love to be your student! I have such an aversion to the fraud and dishonesty, I've been known to be quite vocal about it. People like Madoff are the worst of criminals. He belongs precisely where he is. Much of the blame goes to consumers, who never cease to amaze me with their utter stupidity. I have never been able to "sell" much of anything. I'm tempted to begin every sales pitch with, "Don't believe a single word of what I'm about to say......" Thanks for stopping by.
Oh we're only human and always seeking to look more beautiful, get lustruous hair, fit abs, silky skin and anything else that will make us alluring! The advertising marketers know this and target our week emotions. Hmmn I must get that anti-wrinkle, face lift cream in a jar that will make me look 10 years younger!
Great Hub!
editorsupremo....Yes....we are humans and of course, women, in particular are ALWAYS seeking out "Improvement." This is all good and I'm right there in that group! It's the Marketers job to KNOW these things and they do their job well! lol. By the looks of your lovely picture...whatever you're doing...keep doing it!! Thank you so much for your comment. Hey....some advice from an "older woman?" Hang on to those 6-pack abs, because at a certain age....they just PACK UP and leave!! Seriously....it's the pits!! LOL
Fpher! You are something else! I REALLY enjoyed this Fabulous hub! Great picture! lol!
Dex....Good to see you! Glad you enjoyed my hub. It's the least I can do in return for the Obama Dramas that we all love. I'm sorta tempted to ask you what the "something else," is, that I am....but my Mama didn't raise no fool. See you on your site soon! Peace.
Hi, I know just what you mean! the ads that drive me mad are the ones for skin or hair products, if they are on tv try and quickly read the small writing at the bottom of the screen! it tells you the truth but is so tiny that you will miss it, the one that makes me laugh is when it says, 36 per cent of women like this out of 5, 000! so that works out at about 1 person then! lol!
Hi there, Nell Rose....All we need to do is learn how to divert our attention when temptation arises....refuse to get pulled in or "hynotized" by the marketing (because that IS what their intention is!) This is not easy. If it were, Marketing gurus would be out of a job. They make a ton of money, because their smoke and mirrors and catch-phrases work! Thanks for stopping by!
I almost claimed my inheritance, until they've asked me to send money...
To sell a dream, a wish, a hope, one has to be some kind of a genius or manipulator of people.
Best thing to do is to ignore all ads and only buy what you need and only what you can afford.
Thanks for sharing your views on this, Paula :)
Martie...Once again, you're spot-on and I agree....I suppose there is a bit of "genius" involved in being a scam artist who preys on the weak....but perhaps it's more in line with greed and deceit...Those are the keys to "manipulation." It's tough to soar like an eagle with so many Turkeys in the way!! lol Thanks, Martie
I LOVE your new PHOTO and updated BIO!!! :)
Awwwwwwwww....shucks, Sunshine girl....I can always count on you for a kind word.....AND YOUR CRAZY SENSE OF HUMOR THAT CRACKS ME UP!!! Thank you, GF!!
I'm immune to that stuff--probably because (many moons ago)I majored in Marketing and learned a lot about consumer psychology (aka "How to trick those suckers into buying this stuff!").
Have you ever noticed that many of those preposterous online ads have bold writing that states the "special one-time price" being offered will only last a few more hours? Betcha if you track down that same ad tomorrow, it will say the same thing, only the deadline will have advanced by one day.
You know what P.T. Barnum said....
ahhhh..."there's a sucker born every minute?" Thanks Jaye. Always good to have you stop by and comment. I think consumer psychology should be a MUST!!
Actually, there would be many more wise consumers if that were a basic course, only it should be taught in grade school rather than college!
I have been "sucked in" too many times to remember; but I am responsible for my choices. Yes, the name of the game is make-money, but no one is holding me hostage, when I order these lies. It just depends on my mood at the time of the advertisement. Everything we do and say is somehow connected to advertising: from the clothes we wear, the endorsements we give to products we like, movies, restaurants, hair styles, etc.
carolyn....So nice to hear from you....we all get pulled in now and then. You hit the nail on the head when you say...it all depends on our "mood" at a particular time. This is so true. Some make purchases to lift their spirits when they're down & there are those who shop with abandon when in a happy mood.
If we think about this, it's alot like how we react to food too!!! Would you agree?
LOL! It's always nice to start the day with a good laugh.
Yeah, those marketing ploys & scams can be quite humorous, albeit it's a shame that so many people fall for it.
You know, it would probably be fun to advertise for some of those bogus products. Primary requirement: To be able to lie in a creative fashion! Ha!
Insane....I, for one, would like to have the money back that I foolishly threw away as a "young" consumer. I think I was pulled in by just about any load of bull that was out there.
I still hang my head in embarrassment when I recall being convinced by a door to door salesLIAR (44years ago!!) that I had to think of my new baby's future education and purchase a set of encyclopedias!! Oh yeah, GOOD BUY, MOM!! Duh.
The target for all scam artists are people that want something for nothing or want to accomplish something without hard work....since those "targets" will always be out there so will all these ploys and scams...a very well done hub that I enjoyed reading.
Pcunix Level 7 Commenter 4 months ago
So often when I see something on TV I think - "There's something that will be at Job Lot or The Dollar Store" soon :)
Sometimes it is worth buying - at the Dollar Store, that is..