Tag Archives: marketing

Our Phones!

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The subtle tremor against my sternum stirs me from slumber. Logically, the smartphone nestled in my breast pocket is the source of the disturbance. Yet, in the stillness of the night, I’m perplexed by the unexpected interruption, wondering who could be reaching out at this hour.

Groggily, I fumble for my phone, its screen a blurry mess of light and shadow. With heavy-lidded eyes, I swipe to answer the call, mumbling “Hello?” three times before a human voice briefly breaks through the static. Suddenly, the voice morphs into a robotic recording, draining away any hope of meaningful communication. Resigned, I disconnect the call and sink back into my pillow, sleep beckoning once more.

Unsolicited advertisements intrude on my personal space, flagrantly disregarding my privacy. Unlike traditional media where advertisers fund the platform, I bear the full cost of my communication device, yet receive no compensation for these unwelcome interruptions. The disparity is stark: television and radio ads are subsidized by marketing budgets, while my personal phone becomes an unpaid billboard for corporate messaging.

Frustrated by the constant barrage of unwanted calls, I long for a platform to reach millions and share a crucial message: ignore these intrusive telemarketing attempts. If consumers collectively refused to engage, these disruptive businesses would quickly disappear, allowing us all to reclaim our peace and quiet. By simply hanging up and refusing to participate, we could silence these persistent interruptions and restore tranquility to our daily lives. The one and only reason they continue to persist is that sometimes they succeed.

During the period from late October to early December, unsolicited marketing intensifies, particularly targeting seniors like myself who are Medicare-eligible. These advertisers seem to have access to demographic information, though their targeting isn’t always precise. In one instance, I received a call claiming to offer thousands of dollars from Tennessee, despite living in Mississippi. Such blatantly false claims reveal the desperation and disregard these marketers have for potential customers, using the pattern of lies in hopes of our business.

Some corporate sharks swim in boardrooms, armed with MBAs instead of machetes or guns, plotting to extract every last penny from our wallets with surgical precision and spreadsheet finesse. Their weapons? Slick marketing, fine print, and a smile that says, “Trust me, this is totally in your best interest.”

And… They use the phones we pay for to do it.

Maybe, He Would Have Been a Good Man to Know

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I have no earthly idea what brought the subject up, but during a conversation, I mentioned that the guy that invented the pull tab made millions off of it. Suddenly, I was the center of attention. Everyone else had forgotten the throw away tab.

So now I have another thought that makes me feel old. I can’t believe that it was that long ago that the throwaway tabs have gone the way of the dinosaur. I guess you ask 10 people if they remember them and seven of them will look at you like your nuts. (at least 6)

Just for grins, I looked up the thing on the internet. Yeah, I found some writeups on them, though they seem to conflict somewhat so I hesitate to quote anything. From my own personal experience, it seems the stay-in-place tab came out in the early 80s. Seems to me, I was returning cans without tabs at least a couple of years into the 80s.

However, this much, I did find out, the man that invented the throwaway tab died with 40 million in the bank, so to speak. It is a shame. I never got to know the man. I would have liked to. I am sure he wouldn’t have objected to me borrowing a million or two. And, of course, if I forgot to pay him back, he’d not have missed it.

As an aside, while I was reading, my memory was jarred. I mean, do you remember the days you needed a can opener to open cans. That’s right. Don’t much care for it but they used to call them church keys. Regardless, I haven’t seen one in years. It would seem they have gone the way of the buggy whip.

And, here’s something else. The drink cans were made from steel. As I read it, I remember it now. However, up until then, it had completely left my memory. Can you remember drinking beverages from steel cans? Just figured I’d remind you. No reason for me to the only one to feel old.

Finally, don’t know how much truth is in it, but the story goes that the idea of a stay-in-place tab idea came from a doctor who swallowed one of the throw away tabs at a baseball game.

I had always thought the reason for inventing the stay-in-place tabs was the ecology. Apparently, many kids had swallowed the tabs and they decided to fix that problem.

Powers of Persuasion

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No doubt about it. Anyone sitting in front of a mic or camera is given some powers of persuasion. As they speak, it is often difficult to determine what they believe and what they are simply advertising. Indeed, I suspect that most of the time it is both.

So, they use their powers of persuasion to encourage people to gamble. They endeavor to persuade one and all how wonderful it will be when you “invest” a few dollars, you will win so much money. They say, not only can you win, but you will have fun at it.

I am a Christian. However, even if I weren’t, my conscience would never permit me do such a thing. I suppose I am a leftover from the old days, when we were taught that gambling was a bad thing. In my day, I was taught that only bad people risked hard earned money. Not only that, other people’s experience taught me that winning is rare, especially lotteries.

It’s suddenly different these days it seems. This even though it can lead to divorce and even criminal results. Odd as you might think, some people do write the check without the money in the bank, in hopes that the money won will cover it. And though they might not mean to, those who use their power of persuasion to talk the weak into gambling away the house note, or even the entire paycheck encourage this behavior. Then, the gambler can’t figure out why they are being pulled over by that nice policeman, even though he didn’t speed. Then the next thing he knows, he is cuffed and on the way to jail for writing hot checks.

It does happen. I have seen it. My ethics keep me from being specific, but I assure you, it happens. It is a shame that when they make the ads, they aren’t required to also report those who have gotten in trouble, listening and following the advice in the ads.

Unfortunately, even that still will not stop the compulsive gamblers, but at least they will be forewarned. It is not only common, but more common than most realize. I can remind one and all of a case in the news. They guy gambled away his whole paycheck at the casino. Then he wrote a hot check to Kroger for groceries so he could put off explaining what he did to his wife. A short time later, he was chased by police and climbed the Hernando Desoto Bridge to avoid the police. Yep, that tied up traffic an hour or two.

And yet, Tennessee advertises how much fun it is to buy lotto tickets. The Memphis city radio and TV stations advertise the casinos in Tunica. They do this with completely clear consciences.

It’s a Shame I Don’t Have a Spare Dollar or 2

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Back in the 60s or 70s McDonald’s without doubt had the fastest service. It was simple why. They cooked it all in advance. While the customer put his money on the counter, the employee put the order in a bag or on a tray.

No matter how long the line got, it moved right along. Waiting time was minimal.

Okay, sometimes the food wasn’t piping hot, but it was good and, let’s face it. it’s where we went when we were in a hurry and we didn’t want to pay so much.

I have no idea the reason or who’s idea it was but McDonald’s decided to change. Now those that go there wait, and wait. More, the food is not so hot. Literally, it is luke warm, at best.

I guess that many followed McDonald’s, but I wonder just how many would like the old way.

So. If I had a spare dollar or 2 to spare, maybe I could start a restaurant based on the methods of the old McDonald’s. I am sure many of the folks would stay with the new McDonald’s but maybe I could make a living off the old methods.

That way, when someone wants to wait, they could go to McDonald’s. When a person wants their food in a hurry, they could come to my restaurant.

Incidentally, I would not have those ridiculous ketchup machines that never, ever work. Also, forget going through the drive through. There would be none. I would insist you come in and say hello. As you might expect, I would provide faster service than the drive through anyway.

It does make me wonder just a little. Just how many would leave the new McDonald’s model to go to the old model.

By the way. I don’t have any name for my old idea. Maybe I could solicit a few.