Comments on: Crap On A Bun Is Still A Bad Sandwich

By: Dave Ozment

Dave Ozment — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:50:05 +0000

Thanks for sharing Samuel… that’s an interesting story and very revealing. I imagine now there are fewer sections you “don’t need to visit” and I bet you see more products that you previously would have missed.

And I can’t really blame them for the tactic but as consumers we’re better for knowing this type of behavior is at play and that just as the retailers have a plan for us entering the store, we too should have a plan when we go shopping.

Thanks for sharing.
Dave

By: Samuel Kline

Samuel Kline — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:40:02 +0000

Our local supermarket here was often changing its layout for a span of several months not too long ago. I think they were “optmizing” their layout and experimenting which one would give them the best revenue.

It’s kinda annoying since you get used to navigating the store, avoiding the sections where you don’t really want to go into. But two weeks later, you suddenly have to spend more time figuring out where your usual stuff are and in the process get enticed by the numerous offer that they have.

They’ve stopped re-arranging their space now so I guess they got the optimum floor arrangement now.

By: Dave Ozment

Dave Ozment — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:33:47 +0000

Hey Lara, you’re exactly right, it is a game and we are unwittingly pawns in the action… at least until we take a step back and see how we’re being sold.

And yes, I remember well the ring around the collar adds… and I can’t help but think of them and the scorn it espouses when I see a ring starting in some of my old shirts… certainly an image that has persisted in my head for many years.

Thanks,
Dave

By: Lara

Lara — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:07:57 +0000

I’m annoyed at all the tactics out there with the sole purpose of separating us from our money. Marketers appeal to our sense of vanity, our sense of worth, and of course try to instill insecurities in us. Most of you probably aren’t old enough to remember the ‘Ring Around the Collar” ads, for some type of detergent. The man, in his white work dress shirt, is seen being given scorned looks by others as the dark ring on the inside of his collar is momentarily visible. Cut to his wife, at home with the kids, and she’s truly shamed and embarrassed by the notion that she’s not taking good care of her husband by sending him off to work in sparklingly white shirts. Ugh!

Back then (70’s I believe) TV consisted of two things – shows and ads. They were separate and distinguishable. Now the line is blurred between the two – ads show up in shows constantly, and some shows are nothing more than thinly veiled ads for either products or industries. Note all the shows on the air about rich folks (usually ‘celebrities’ that are famous for nothing) and their wedding plans. The wedding industry is HUGE and in threat of falling out of vogue, so they pump up the interest by airing numerous shows about it.

Some folks are drawn to certain brands/stores because they feel pampered when they’re in the store. They don’t fully realize that those sales people are not fawning over the customer, they’re fawning over the customer’s wallet.

The more life experience I get under my belt, the more intolerant I am of people trying to separate me from my money in order to enrich themselves. But hey, that’s the name of the game, right?

By: Dave Ozment

Dave Ozment — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:02:25 +0000

I agree Jonathan… I can think of several places I may be where I do not want to be disturbed by a ringing phone and underwater is one of those places. I have to think when I have access to a limited air supply, I won’t want to spend it on the phone.

Thanks for reading and commenting!
Dave

By: Bankruptcy Help

Bankruptcy Help — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:57:27 +0000

An underwater phone is the most crazy product I ever heard of, although if you are a professional diver and spend long hours underwater perhaps it’s useful! Having said that imagine if you were doing a really delicate job and suddenly your phone went off!!! I think that the marketing guys are working overtime on this one!