Consumer Electronics Dodgy sales people and sales in general

[quickstraw]

Xmas is coming and I have some neices and nephews I need to buy presents for. I read an article today (might have been news.com.au, Hun, SMH etc, can't remember which)......

The article was "top 50 all time kids books" or something. So I thought I'd have a look. The kids I'm buying for are 8-10. I write down the names of a few books and go down to Big W. I was thinking to myself that they probably didn't have any of these books. One was Lemony Snickets which isn't a new release. Not was the Roald Dahl book. A few other pricked my ears as they were Aussie authors but somehow made it into the best books of all time list.

So I get to Big W and low and behold...... Every f***ing book on that list was right in front of me. What are the chances?

I feel duped and find it poor form that Woolworths (owner of Big W) have paid advertising fees to this media outlook and instead of advertising their selection they (the media outlet) have dressed it up as if they are providing us with honest non-biased advice, but in fact are trying to sell us Big W's catalogue.

Similar to cash for comments. Non-genuine and dodgy.


Same goes with TV stations. Watching the Olympic Games and an ad comes up saying "Underbelly, straight after the Olympics". At the time I was thinking "great, Olympics finishes in 2 hours so I'll stay up and watch it". 2 hours later and I discover it's not on, but "after the olympics" as in "after the whole Olympics finishes"


When have you been mislead by dodgy marketing or dodgy sales people?

 

[Illinois Nazi]

I once read the price sticker upside down and paid $69 by mistake.

 

[quickstraw]

Before scanning I used to swap price tags. You know that consumer dilemma when decided between two options "I like that one better as a product, but I like the price better on the other". Simple. Buy the preferred and more expensive product at the price of the cheaper and less preferred product by swapping the price tag. Solved. Win win.

 

[Gough]

Greatest dodgy salesman of all time.

 

[quickstraw]

Anyone do "One Big Switch"

Was advertised all over morning TV. Tens of thousands signed up. Kochie was telling us we'd get a big discount.

Got my bill. More expensive than ever before. Duped.

 

[Ahern2Boof]

Felt a bit duped when Ch10 inexplicably played a Saturday afternoon game live one day. Went to turn it on to watch the delayed broadcast and bam, halfway through the 2nd quarter.

 

[ash_1050]

Anyone do "One Big Switch"

Was advertised all over morning TV. Tens of thousands signed up. Kochie was telling us we'd get a big discount.

Got my bill. More expensive than ever before. Duped.

You signed up to something without doing any research whatsoever and now you feel duped? My heart bleeds.

 

[MarcusP2]

Before scanning I used to swap price tags. You know that consumer dilemma when decided between two options "I like that one better as a product, but I like the price better on the other". Simple. Buy the preferred and more expensive product at the price of the cheaper and less preferred product by swapping the price tag. Solved. Win win.

This is called theft.

 

[Damon_3388]

 

[little graham]

This is called theft.

Its all about interpretation. capitalism has 'stolen' the quality of life of our children and grand children and their children. We are lied to everyday or deceived and manipulated by some company and their salesman.

According to a Bloomberg news report, the State of South Carolina is seeking $200 million that it says it wrongfully spent on Zyprexa (olanzapine) caused by the drug maker's push to get doctors to write more prescriptions for unapproved and untested off label uses and that the company withheld information about Zyprexa's side effects in order to increase profits. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved the antipsychotic drug to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. The State is also seeking a $5,000 fine for each Zyprexa prescription written in South Carolina dating back to 1997, which could equate to billions of dollars.
Although Lilly denies the allegations, South Carolina attorneys say that Lilly sales representatives' call notes (notes or journals kept by salespeople) show reprehensible behavior by the pharmaceutical company – with little or no respect for consumers and patients who were prescribed the drug. Here's what's being alleged in some of those call notes:

• Wagering golf bets. During a golf game, sales representatives bet doctors to write more Zyprexa prescriptions for every time the rep parred or put the ball in a hole within a predetermined number of strokes.
• Paying doctors. One salesman allegedly told another salesman to tie a doctor’s Zyprexa prescriptions to participation in a paid speakers’ program. The salesman later pressed the doctor to write even more prescriptions – reasoning that the doctor owed it to them “because we’re paying him so much money” to participate in the program. Lilly also offered other inducements to doctors who prescribed Zyprexa, such as deep-sea fishing trips and Palm Pilot devices.
• Convincing doctors to prescribe the drug for non-FDA approved uses. The company also allegedly pushed primary-care physicians to use the antipsychotic medication on children – which hasn't been approved by the FDA. One rep's call note indicated that the drug is ‘for kids whose parents have to shove the pills down their throat every day.”

http://attorneypages.com/hot/eli-lilly-outrageous-zyprexa-marketing.htm

I was a victim of this. The extent the medical profession has gone in my state to cover it up is enormous.The damage to my body and character is terminal, almost irrevocable.

 

[quickstraw]

You signed up to something without doing any research whatsoever and now you feel duped? My heart bleeds.

Do you want a cape with that post you have ago hero?

Channel 7 sold to the public that power companies are ripping us off so if we all get together and sign up we would get cheaper prices.

How much do I care that I'm paying a bit extra? Not a lot. Why does it annoy me? Because Channel 7 have blatantly misrepresented this situation and knowingly made false promises. The sold the public a dud on the pretense that they were helping everyone out.

They openly duped people. That's dodgy.

 

[quickstraw]

This is called theft.

Thanks. I will note that down.

 

[Dan Moody]

Greatest dodgy salesman of all time.

Lol, this was on late night this week.
Great Aussie film

 

[Illinois Nazi]

Its all about interpretation.

No it isn't. Swapping the price stickers on items in a store is stealing.

capitalism has 'stolen' the quality of life of our children and grand children and their children.

Really? I think my kids do alright, compared to most kids in history.

We are lied to everyday or deceived and manipulated by some company and their salesman.


http://attorneypages.com/hot/eli-lilly-outrageous-zyprexa-marketing.htm

I was a victim of this. The extent the medical profession has gone in my state to cover it up is enormous.The damage to my body and character is terminal, almost irrevocable.

I think you're kind of straying off the point a little here.

 

[ash_1050]

Channel 7 sold to the public that power companies are ripping us off so if we all get together and sign up we would get cheaper prices.

How much do I care that I'm paying a bit extra? Not a lot. Why does it annoy me? Because Channel 7 have blatantly misrepresented this situation and knowingly made false promises. The sold the public a dud on the pretense that they were helping everyone out.

They openly duped people. That's dodgy.

And you bought it. Media Watch had half an episode highlighting it's a scam a few days after Channel 7 started drumming up support for it. One Big Switch is a privately owned for profit company that was paid ~$100 per new customer sign up by whichever electricity company you switched to. Additionally you did get a "bigger discount" off you bill but the rates were exhorbitant to begin with and the electricity company reserved the right to increase prices as well. A great piece of marketing though, very well done by those involved.

 

[Gasometer]

Duped?

Check the M&E Board and find the FOXTEL thread.

 

[quickstraw]

And you bought it. Media Watch had half an episode highlighting it's a scam a few days after Channel 7 started drumming up support for it. One Big Switch is a privately owned for profit company that was paid ~$100 per new customer sign up by whichever electricity company you switched to. Additionally you did get a "bigger discount" off you bill but the rates were exhorbitant to begin with and the electricity company reserved the right to increase prices as well. A great piece of marketing though, very well done by those involved.

Good marketing? There's more to marketing than results. Very dubious practice by Channel 7 and I'd suggest they'd lose a fair bit of good will from that. By all means, sell us a TV program but don't go and pretend you're doing Joe Citizen a big massive favour when your real agenda is lining your pockets.

And before you get all high and mighty, I've done sales and marketing for 25 years and I'd put myself in the elite category. That type of behavior is not on from a TV station.

 

[Damon_3388]

Good marketing? There's more to marketing than results. Very dubious practice by Channel 7 and I'd suggest they'd lose a fair bit of good will from that. By all means, sell us a TV program but don't go and pretend you're doing Joe Citizen a big massive favour when your real agenda is lining your pockets.

And before you get all high and mighty, I've done sales and marketing for 25 years and I'd put myself in the elite category. That type of behavior is not on from a TV station.

Channel 7 has/had "good will"? This being the channel once owned by Christopher Skase, and still inflicting tripe like 'Today Tonight' and 'Home & Away' on the Australian public in prime time?

 

[ash_1050]

By all means, sell us a TV program but don't go and pretend you're doing Joe Citizen a big massive favour when your real agenda is lining your pockets.

As an "elite marketer" you should know that's marketing 101. Maybelline don't sell cosmetics to do women a favour and help cover up blemishes, Coles don't sell food to save you the hassle of growing your own and Crown Casino don't offer blackjack because they want to help you win money. Every for profit company is just that, a for profit company, there's nothing altruistic about them.

 

[quickstraw]

As an "elite marketer" you should know that's marketing 101. Maybelline don't sell cosmetics to do women a favour and help cover up blemishes, Coles don't sell food to save you the hassle of growing your own and Crown Casino don't offer blackjack because they want to help you win money. Every for profit company is just that, a for profit company, there's nothing altruistic about them.

Err, no.

Maybeline and Coles ask you to buy their product.
Channel 7 did not ask us to buy a product they were representing and making money from. The made out they were doing us all a favour and never divulged they were getting a kick back. And it is reasonable to expect Channel 7 are doing this to help out the masses for the ultimate goal of winning over viewers rather than making a cut on every sale.

There is a reason why financial planners have to divulge what kick backs they are receiving and there is a reason why this was on media watch - because it's questionable behavior. What is it about that you fail to grasp?

 

[Nothing]

I heard that Bill Vlahos thinks it is unfair that Channel 7 ripped you off, so he has a punters club that you might be interested in 'investing' in.

 

[Damon_3388]

Err, no.

Maybeline and Coles ask you to buy their product.
Channel 7 did not ask us to buy a product they were representing and making money from. The made out they were doing us all a favour and never divulged they were getting a kick back. And it is reasonable to expect Channel 7 are doing this to help out the masses for the ultimate goal of winning over viewers rather than making a cut on every sale.

There is a reason why financial planners have to divulge what kick backs they are receiving and there is a reason why this was on media watch - because it's questionable behavior. What is it about that you fail to grasp?

That point is totally acceptable. I think the point others are trying to make though is that you should have done your due diligence before signing up for what they were offering.

If you'd actually ended up getting a decent discount through the scheme, I'd imagine you wouldn't care less what Channel 7 gets out of the venture as well. Everyone ultimately acts in self interest first, individual or corporation.

 

[JuddsABlue]

Walked in to a jewellery store today doing xmas shopping and was hunted around the entire counter after several "I'm just having a look thanks" while the salesperson just tried to make really annoying general chit chat

Couldnt hang around

I'm convinced overly pressy sales staff have a negative impact on sales

 

[Bosun]

Err, no.

Maybeline and Coles ask you to buy their product.
Channel 7 did not ask us to buy a product they were representing and making money from. The made out they were doing us all a favour and never divulged they were getting a kick back. And it is reasonable to expect Channel 7 are doing this to help out the masses for the ultimate goal of winning over viewers rather than making a cut on every sale.

There is a reason why financial planners have to divulge what kick backs they are receiving and there is a reason why this was on media watch - because it's questionable behavior. What is it about that you fail to grasp?

You have 25 years experience in sales & marketing, consider yourself elite? How in the * did you not realise the true nature of this deal? Do you buy Chrisco hampers as well?

 

[quickstraw]

That point is totally acceptable. I think the point others are trying to make though is that you should have done your due diligence before signing up for what they were offering.

As I said:

Paying a few extra bucks isn;t the issue. i'm not bothered about that side of things and if I was, I accept the buck stops at me.

That doesn't mean it's not reprehensible for Ch7 to act this way. If it was "Frankies use Cars" i'd accept that they were a bit misleading. But what has happened here is Ch7 have used their good will to dupe people.

That's not cool.

If you'd actually ended up getting a decent discount through the scheme, I'd imagine you wouldn't care less what Channel 7 gets out of the venture as well.

Correct. But they profited at Joe Citizen's expense via being disingenuine. I accept that Frankie's Used Cars have to make a living but don't accept that Ch 7 who make billions out of TV advertising have to misrepresent to make a bit extra.

Seriously, ot's not cool and if I was an exac at Ch & I'd be livid at this stunt. Makes money but weakens the brand.

Everyone ultimately acts in self interest first, individual or corporation.

Thanks cap'm obvious.