CONSUMERS – we are not that ignorant

I think they secretly call us SUMERS because they are out to CON us (as in: CON-the-SUMERS), which exposes the hidden meaning of the word consumers. I will of course clear all this up for you, because I know you expect nothing less…

In one corner we have the consumers, meaning individuals or households purchasing all kinds of goods and services, also known as you and I; and we are all doing that consuming-thing a lot. In the opposite corner, we have the suppliers of these goods and services. When we pay attention, we see that they are doing everything in their combined might to trick us into purchasing their offerings; at least it feels like it at times – don’t you agree?

I don’t think we as consumers are neither ignorant nor stupid to any extent. We fully understand and can clearly see all the trickeries we are presented with from suppliers about what we need, want and expect in services and goods that we purchase; must purchase, according to them, or else!

For the most part we can all see some of these suppliers making fools of themselves, believing that they are actually conning the sumers; they couldn’t be more wrong, because we are much smarter than that and we have come to the overbearing conclusion to let them play their silly games of persuasion. “Let the child”, as we say in Danish…

SAVE / SAVINGS

Here is something I never fully understood: They tell you to save, but you have to give them money to do so. Wouldn’t you save more money by not buying anything? Do they ever offer that option?

BEFORE & AFTER

Here is one of those real pathetic “encouragements”. In the before black and white photo, the person looks like she’s between death and rigor mortis. Everything is wrong, out of place and weird; but the real kicker is that she has a sour and tired look on her face.

In the after image, which is in full color, she has luscious lips, only one chin, zero wrinkles, a firm butt and a new set of perky breasts. But what really makes us see the difference between before & after, is her broad and lovely smile. Now you tell me, have you ever been persuaded to sign up for any alterations or products due to this kind of advertising? I didn’t think so, because we are not being conned easily. Oh, by the way, would you like quick personal improvement at no cost? Here’s what you do:

Go to the nearest mirror; look at yourself with a sour, disgruntled and crappy looking face. Hold that pose for 30 seconds (if you can stand it). Now change that facial expression into that mighty smile of yours, teeth and all. Noticed the difference? It is mega huge and marked down to free.

GAS PRICES – but why?

Around here (USA) pricing of gas / petrol / fuel is weird. No, Dear Reader, not because they are high, but it’s the way they are presented to us. I have not a single clue as to why gas is priced like $3.85 9/10 per gallon. Why the 9/10 of a cent? What the heck does that mean? Is it to hide the fact that we are paying $3.86 and not what we believe (give me a break) to be $3.85? If I pay $3.85 9/10 or $3.86 will never make a difference, so why not just price it for what it cost – without 9/10 of a cent, please – consumers are not stupid, huh?

SALES – and more sales

THE BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR – LOWEST PRICES EVER – NO THIS IS THE BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR – EVERYTHING MUST GO, etc. So many stores have all these different sales through the year. I can easily swing with that, because I buy all my stuff on sale. But I still get a few giggles out of all the creative ways these sales try to outdo each other over and over – within the same shops and department stores. It’s hilarious if you pay attention, but we have gotten numb over the years and just take it for what it is – silly.

My favorite is everything must go; now really, do you think that any store has ever considered some of it must go? Of course everything will hopefully get out of there, that’s why you are in business, to sell the darn things – to make room for new stuff – that you also want to go.

BALLOONS sell cars?

On car-lots and car-dealerships around here, you often see balloons attached to cars – a lot of them and all sorts of colors. Now where the heck did that come from? Did they actually have a meeting where they considered and approved that: “If we tie balloons to the cars, we’ll sell more, huh?” Or should that be: DUH? And have you ever bought a car because it had a pretty balloon attached to it? I didn’t think so.

I am all for a healthy economy, with money swirling around by production, supplying and consuming; nothing wrong with that. But I just don’t understand why we need to be somewhat misled into believing to purchase certain products. A bit of honesty would fare somewhat better, I trust. Don’t you?

I don’t like to be talked down to, which physically doesn’t happen often as I am 6’1” (6’5” in heels), so I’m a bit irritated by the way some suppliers are advertising like I’m an idiot or pathetically ignorant (whichever you choose). But then again, I have reached a level of being overbearing, as I am in full control of my own consuming; and you are too, I’m sure.

And then I acknowledge advertising and commercials where I sit back in awe as to how stupid and ignorant it is and wonder if ANYBODY buys this stuff. But Some people must, because you see the same ad and same commercial over and over – I’m amazed and somewhat saddened, because are some of us consumers really that naïve?

But I am so totally free of being persuaded and tricked by advertising, their slogans and logos and other oblivious attempts on my assumed consumer stupidity. I am the ultimate consumer, their worst fear. I consume when I damn well feel like consuming and what I like to consume – always MY choice, baby. I feel freed from them all and then I scream to nobody specifically, from the highest mountain ever, against the swishing wind, that we should ALL be independent and strong-willed consumers. Are you with me?

JUST DO IT (oops)

See you next Monday…