Deceptive Sales Practices Can you name some deceptive sales practices.
Referral Sales Convincing consumers they can save money if they refer the company to other consumers. Ex. Gyms, Direct TV, Party Plan How can a referral sale be illegal?
Pyramid Schemes Non-sustainable business method. Exchange of money for enrolling new members for the system. Usually without a service being delivered.
Pyramid Scheme
Spoof on the Pyramid Scheme http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie6nYZytpCU King of Queens Spoof on the Pyramid Scheme
What is this appealing to? Advertising What is this appealing to?
Advertising Inform a consumer about a product. Protected by 1st Amendment. Government may regulate certain advertisements.
Advertisement Tricks Illegal False Advertisements Misleading Advertisements Legal Exaggeration – “Puffing” Opinion Sales Talk
Price Based Tricks Rebates Inflated Price Comparisons Introductory Offers
Bait and Switch Advertise a product at a very low price, almost too good to be true Once consumer is in store, they will say product sold out or may inform you that it is really not what you want Divert your attention to a higher priced model
Bait and Switch Exposed by News Team! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiQLD-Xg1yU
Other Misleading Advertisements Misrepresentations Advertising the Maximum Fillers and Oversized Packaging
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51eDOXjjPTs&feature=related Splenda
Lay’s Potato Chips Commercial
Direct TV Star Trek
Subliminal Messages A message sent unrecognizable to the conscious mind, but can affect the subconscious and later actions and attitudes Often used in advertising/propaganda. Effectiveness yet to be proven First used during WWII to train soldiers to recognize enemy planes 1957 – first used as a form of advertising in a movie – “Drink Coca Cola” “Hungry” “Eat Popcorn!” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs8Y5c5Rc8I http://www.youtube.com/watch?V=LMzbwa6Pvee
YouTube - State Issues Warning To 'Deceptive' Dealership Deceptive Sales Practices Uncovered! YouTube - State Issues Warning To 'Deceptive' Dealership
Now It Is Your Turn! Get Into Assigned Groups Discuss a Name For Your Product Create Short Commercial to Sell Your Product – Must be 20 – 30 seconds Be Sure to Use at least 2 Advertising Tricks Discussed in Class in your Commercial Will be graded on length, # of advertising “tricks”, group participation