Sales Gimickry

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Frank Sanoica, Nov 17, 2017.

  1. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    Remember back when what was advertised made sense, was mostly true, wasn't clouded by some behind-the-scene overly high-paid executive using innuendos of "convincement"?

    I'm looking at our local, free, "Ad Tracker" publication, loaded with used-car ads by a few dealers, that's all we have. "Now Selling Certified Pre-Owned" cars!"

    WTH can that mean, a guarantee they were owned before? Is the buying public today so beguiled by the ads, they no longer can think for themselves?

    Still on the cars, because it's a good example: Dealers and Used Car Lots ALL prompt right up front, top of the ad, "ONE OWNER". Really? Does the original buyer of the car still own it? If so, he or she has CONSIGNED it to the car lot; you know that ain't the case, so, who owns the car now, if a car lot is selling it? THEY probably do, thus making the car "2nd. owner". Isn't this misleading advertising? Or is it me? I'm a pick, right? Why?

    Because I ask for truth in advertising? Don't we have laws aimed at Truth in Lending, Truth in Warranty, Truth in....just about everything............except used car sales, it seems. Labels on product for sale must list contents by law, especially foodstuffs. So, Truth in Labeling is really Truth in Advertising, the claims made for contents. Extending that to cars, "One Owner" when really the danged car may actually have been repossessed, then owned by a bank, sold at auction to the used car dealer, who became the 3rd. owner but now avidly proclaims "one owner" to enhance the hack's salability, this places the car lot on my personal Blacklist. Thus, ALL car lots are automatically included.

    Am I at fault for refusing to accept such nefarious advertising? No one would have accepted it when I was young; today everyone does. Frank
     
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  2. Ann George

    Ann George Veteran Member
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    Don't think we really accept it but rather tolerate it. With regard to making a large purchase especially concerning buying a car, in this day and age (and with all the misleading and crazy ads out there!) you need to be extra cautious. Do as much research as possible and then network with those who you consider to be trustworthy (family, friends, associates) to get their opinion/advice. The more knowledge the better as IMO knowledge helps in making the best decision possible.
     
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    Last edited: Nov 17, 2017
  3. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Frank, we find the same thing happens in boat sales, especially with private sales. But, then again, if a person is trying to sell their vehicle or boat, they aren't going to tell everything that is wrong with it. Most likely if they did, nobody would buy it, unless someone wanted it for parts.

    Another thing, the more a person knows about vehicle engines and is able to really observe how the vehicle runs, condition of tires/brakes/transmission and see if all the gauges work, the better off they are. Same goes for a boat. The more a person knows about boats, the better off they are when looking to buy one. We sure have learned, but it definitely took money for repairs to learn.

    Our 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 runs and is drivable, but anyone could see that it's not in the best shape. When we decide to get rid of it, we will only get a few hundred dollars (if that) out of it..........but, we know that.

    Ads, no matter what the ad is selling, can be (are) deceiving. I do quite a bit of online research, including reading Reviews, before buying something.
     
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  4. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    The problem Frank is that there is no absolute truth anymore...so truth is whatever a person decides they want it to be.
     
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  5. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    A "Certified pre-owned car" is usually one the comes with a warranty. My wife bought a used 2013 Ford Focus a year or so ago, and it came with a two-year extendable warranty. There is a difference between a certified pre-owned vehicle and a used one. See the Wikipedia article.
     
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  6. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    Yes, you are right @Ken Anderson. If I remember right our car is a Certified Pre-Owned by one owner. :)
     
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  7. Kitty Carmel

    Kitty Carmel Veteran Member
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    I'll go a little off topic here but it's generally the same thing. How customers are treated or what a business thinks is the right thing to say or do. I hate walking into Michael's craft stores only to have someone literally yell "WELCOME TO MICHEALS!!!" I just want to quietly walk in the store. This is ridiculous. Then if you need help with something, no one is around. Or stores calling customers "guests." No I'm a customer, not your guest. Or Joann's fabrics "I'd be happy to help customer 10 at the cut counter." I'm fine with just someone calling out "10" I don't need this poor person to fake state how happy they are to serve the next customer.

    I like shopping online.
     
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  8. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    They do that at Moe's restaurants too. I walked into one, and they shouted, "Welcome to Moe's!" I felt like turning around and walking back out again.
     
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  9. Hedi Mitchell

    Hedi Mitchell Supreme Member
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    These salutations are forced on employees....most of them do not like it either.
    Having worked for 12 years for a very well known...so called pharmacy...we were forced to end a sale by saying ' be happy ..be well ' . I protested this with vengence after having said that to a customer...who informed me she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.
    After all my warnings I was called into the office and told I would be wriiten up if I did not say...be well.
    I told my boss...u known I am not going to say that, I refuse. So let me help you out...
    The next morning I turned in my resignation. The bosses were in shock that I would quit over that. Extreme on my part ..yes. But I will not say I am going to do something...when I know I have no intention doing following thru.
    Employees are made to greet you, acknowledge that they know your in the store...one reason is supposedly cut down on theft and to help you if needed.
    Lolol oh if only you knew the sneaky ways retail keeps an eye on you and your shopping experience.
     
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  10. Kitty Carmel

    Kitty Carmel Veteran Member
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    So glad I'm not the only one who doesn't like something like this. I want to yell back "shut up and leave me alone"

    I guess other businesses force their employees to do this kind of thing. I feel sorry for the employee and customer. I don't think it's nice.
     
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  11. Kitty Carmel

    Kitty Carmel Veteran Member
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    Oh @Gloria Mitchell, please do tell!

    Good for what you did! Quitting a job over something like that is sticking to your own morals. I hope you were able to secure another job soon. I so agree, it's such a patronizing thing to say to someone. No one knows what another may be going through. Don't these stupid businesses realize that all a customer asks for is courteous service and a simple "thank you." And enough employees to assist with finding something when needed.
     
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