Continuing with last week’s theme on the impact of advertising messages, we would like to share with you a priceless commercial: one of the funniest and weirdest we have come across! You’ll see what we mean in a minute…
(By the way, if you did not see last week’s post by the late George Carlin, it’s a must…)
Steve: In reviewing some of the questionable buying decisions I’ve made over the years, several come to mind. In 1978 I decided I needed my very own (expensive) Champion Juicer. The ½ horsepower motor is built to last a lifetime and powerful enough to mow a lawn! Although it now sits in the back of my cupboard—collecting dust—every now and then I get inspired, buy 50 lbs. of carrots, and enthusiastically enter a juicing frenzy. The Champion also makes great ice cream. Hmmm…maybe I’ll take it out sooner this summer!
One of my biggest “Oops!” experiences was buying one of the early model, all-in-one devices that print, scan, fax, and copy. The purchase made perfect (and practical) sense at the time. What I did not consider before I opened my wallet was the cost of replacement cartridges. They were very pricey. Now, when I make buying decisions, I am much more conscious of the total cost of an item over its lifetime.
So sit back, click on the link below, and enjoy this very short and entertaining piece. Be prepared for a good belly laugh! And by the way: this product is real and available!
Consider some of the purchases you’ve made in your life:
- What are some of the wiser buying choices you’ve made to date?
- What about some of the less-wise expenditures?
- Based on your buying experience, what would you say are your “top ten” guidelines or rules to deciding yes or no on a purchase?
- What advice would you have for others in making more informed decisions?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
One of my best buying decisions ever — going to a plastic surgeon and getting permanent eyeliner and lipstick. Fantabulous!!! Saves sooooo much time getting ready! And, no more lipstick on cups and glasses.
Ipod touch decision comment. My cousin gave me an Iphone as a gift 18 months ago. (I would never had bought it for myself) At the time I had to switch all our cells to AT&T and they charged me $20 a month for the Iphone package. I just went to check out the 3GS, I can get a special upgrade price. However when I heard that the $20 would become $35 a month, I realized that is another $360 over the 2 years.
I tested the 2 phones side by side & the 3GS was at least twice as fast accessing the internet. Do I really need that, I asked myself, how often is that important?
Not enough to pay that. Thanks Apple – I love your stuff, but I am good for now!
RECOMMENDED READING -” Buy-ology” by Martin Lindstrom. Insights from current brain research into why we buy, and how that is being used to manipulate consumers. GET IT FROM YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY, Dont buy it!!
Wow, it’s amazing how complex this one commercial is! YES, Ron, so glad you voiced these truths; there is more than meets the eye here. Though honestly, I don’t think this design would help anyone very much. And Lon, your point, to me, is most important – thanks for getting me to think more about statistics. Massages my brain in a great way.
Gonna answer the questions…
1. What are some of the wiser buying choices you’ve made to date?
My Dell Inspiron lap top computer with red and silver case and all the RAM I could shove into it. I bought it on credit last year and still haven’t paid it off AND I use it every day; it’s my bread and butter. There have been many, many items on my credit card bill that should never have been there, and I am SO glad that I no longer have one. I’m nearly debt-free, in fact, and recovered from my “wow, my pay cheque is huge, let’s spend it!!” years. I haven’t had any problems with this lap top; it’s fast and pretty and one of my only possessions. I love it. Good Job, Karen.
2. What about some of the less-wise expenditures?
When I moved into my first apartment all-to-myself (at age 33…!), I was ecstatic. But I wasn’t making that much money. But I wanted a bookshelf! And it looked great, it all it’s matte shiney Ikea glory! And I could bring it home right now… if I paid for a van taxi! Yah! Let’s get it, and all these other things, too!
I hated the bookshelf from the moment I put it up; it tainted my joy of having a new apartment for the entire time I lived in Toronto. And it tainted my financial health because from the moment of that purchase I was in debt (until I finally came to my senses in a not-so-desirable way).
Lessons learned: Just don’t buy it when you can’t afford it.
3. Based on your buying experience, what would you say are your “top ten” guidelines or rules to deciding yes or no on a purchase?
Will I use it often?
Do I absolutely *love* it? (wait a few days before purchasing – do I keep thinking about it?)
Is it well-made?
Will it last a long time?
Is it “green”? How many miles did this product travel before arriving in this store?
Am I supporting child and/or unhealthy labour with this purchase?
Can I afford it on my budget?
4. What advice would you have for others in making more informed decisions?
Honour and activate your “grit & tenacity” – you know what’s right…so do it.
As I read Lon and Ron’s thoughtful, analytical comments it was amusing to me — as my “ditz blonde” brain had conjured up something very different/ditzy. I had envisioned having designer version “Wipees” matching each house guest by personality or interest. Line these up in your guest bathroom with each guest’s name affixed to it. Bet nobody else will provide that kind of personalized service for them.
My own wipees! Cool! I love wipees. They truly are the next in toilet paper engineering.
What about this idea? Instead of a box of use-once wipees, how about a squirt bottle of some sort of soothing lotion to put on the toilet paper! With different scents or something for each guest.. ha ha ha.. fun.
I think we can consider the Comfortwipe issue from a few viewpoints. I am imagining someone who has obesity or arthritis issues, and for whom this product may be a godsend. In order to make it available to them, it has to be promoted by a ditz blond as though to the masses, although I suspect the company is really targeting those with a physical need for the product.
And there are others who are mentally obsessed with germs, etc., and this product may help them a little bit.
And its very hard for a company to say something like ‘are you over fat? creaky bones? a bit of a psychologic opportunity?’, then buy our product. Give them some slack I think.
For the rest of us, it is noise about a little thing, and we best pass it by.
Steve, I’m inclined to say the ComfortWipe product made me laugh my butt off, but that would obviate the need for the product!
As far as making informed buying decisions are concerned, I would simply add to my earlier comments about the dangers of duplicitous statistics in advertising by referring those who are interested in such to a June 1, 2007 article in Science News titled “Mathematicians Show Tricks Behind Ads, Sales.” Here is a direct link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2007/0611-become_a_smarter_shopper.htm
Not to nitpick the ad, but I did notice the use of two statistics in the ComfortWipe commercial that should raise a question or two in the mind of a potential consumer:
1) The ad starts by saying “For over 100 years we’ve been ….” Does this suggest TP is obsolete? And, what’s so bad about using a product that has a 100+ year success record? Am I not “with it” if I fail to use this product?
2) Later in the ad the claim is made that it “… extends your reach by 18 inches.” What’s so special about 18 inches rather than say 16 inches or 20 inches? Is 18 inches the end-to-end (pun intended) length of the gizmo, and if so, does it really increase my effective reach by a full 18 inches?
By most standards, neither of these are particularly egregious uses of statistics, but you can be sure the ad writers didn’t included them as innocuous fillers.
Karen: I certainly hope by getting a grip you mean “coming to one’s senses”, rather than buying the advertised Comfort Wipe.
I understand they have a special offer going. This will be a important test to our Upside community’s capacity for purchase restraint S
PS: Doing some spring cleaning, I may have a champion juicer for sale for a good price.. (see above)……
Just watched it with a friend and we both just have one comment to make…”Get a Grip!”
Amazing.