The most recent advertising variants are examples of creative minds going off the deep end.
If you have never read sale ads for Kohls, Carsons JCPenney and the like, this won't mean much to you, but if you HAVE read the fine print, you'll know what I mean. $50 off purchases of $200, or $10 off on orders of $25 could leave you surprised at the check out. This week, on one coupon, there were 26 "excluded" brands and departments.
Customer "loyalty" cards or propritary credit cards, "free" stuff (if you buy one at regular price), $1 rebate coupons (that require $.65 postange envelope and handling), and things like a "free" appetizer with two $15 meals, are just the tip of the iceberg.
Last week, at our local subermarket, hamburger helper was on sale for $1/box. (you can tell how frugal we are...) This week there's a "special sale" on the same item.... $1 each when you buy 10 boxes.
There are umpteen hundred websites, maintained by frugal housewives and "sale" experts that offer coupons, and follow sales and special offers... and places like Groupon that are guaranteed to save us money, and there are stickers and popouts at the gas pump that promse $.10/gallon savings if you sign up for their credit card...
Does anyone have a handle on the total cost of advertising in the US? What does that work out to on a "per citizen" basis?
It's not going away, and based on our rush to social networking and the new opportunities to "help us buy"... it appears that advertising will increase, before it declines.
I've developed an immunity to crazy advertising. How about you?
If you have never read sale ads for Kohls, Carsons JCPenney and the like, this won't mean much to you, but if you HAVE read the fine print, you'll know what I mean. $50 off purchases of $200, or $10 off on orders of $25 could leave you surprised at the check out. This week, on one coupon, there were 26 "excluded" brands and departments.
Customer "loyalty" cards or propritary credit cards, "free" stuff (if you buy one at regular price), $1 rebate coupons (that require $.65 postange envelope and handling), and things like a "free" appetizer with two $15 meals, are just the tip of the iceberg.
Last week, at our local subermarket, hamburger helper was on sale for $1/box. (you can tell how frugal we are...) This week there's a "special sale" on the same item.... $1 each when you buy 10 boxes.
There are umpteen hundred websites, maintained by frugal housewives and "sale" experts that offer coupons, and follow sales and special offers... and places like Groupon that are guaranteed to save us money, and there are stickers and popouts at the gas pump that promse $.10/gallon savings if you sign up for their credit card...
Does anyone have a handle on the total cost of advertising in the US? What does that work out to on a "per citizen" basis?
It's not going away, and based on our rush to social networking and the new opportunities to "help us buy"... it appears that advertising will increase, before it declines.
I've developed an immunity to crazy advertising. How about you?
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