Argument regarding advertising

[JoeP]

I got into a discussion with a friend about advertising, and it ended up becoming more of an argument. His claim was that advertisers know me better than I do, and have ways to convince me to buy something with me even knowing. I asserted that I am in full control of my buying habits, at which point the word "impossible" was uttered.

This topic has come up here countless times. I know several people here claim to ignore advertising, sometimes even muting or shutting it off, and do independent research from uncompensated sources (friends, family, co-workers) before making most non-trivial purchases. After all, radio and TV promote products in exchange for money...hardly impartial!

So what is your opinion? Are we here in this forum simply a little more guarded about spending, and does that affect how we react to advertising?

[disneysteve]

So what is your opinion? Are we here in this forum simply a little more guarded about spending, and does that affect how we react to advertising?

This.

I don't think most of us here are typical American consumers.

I was reading the AARP bulletin yesterday. The cover story is 99 money-saving tips. One of the tips is to not use coupons. That would be heresy to the average American. Heck, there are even TV shows devoted to using coupons. It's part of our culture - but it costs people thousands of dollars. Why? Coupons are typically for expensive, brand-name products, especially newly launched products. The point of a coupon is to get you to try something new and get you to use a costly product.

My wife and I hardly ever use coupons. Why? Because we don't buy many items for which coupons are distributed. We buy a lot of generic/store brands. We do a lot of cooking and baking from scratch with fresh ingredients and staples like flour and sugar (store-brand of course). These aren't the types of items you find coupons for.

I'm not going to change what I buy, where I shop, what I wear, what I drive, how I shave, or anything else based on a commercial. Shaving is a good example. I've been using a Norelco electric razor since I began shaving as a teen. Why? Because that's what my father used before me. I've been through a few of them over the years but each time one wears out, I just go out and buy a new one. Similar model - base model without all the bells and whistles. There are dozens of razor commercials on TV all the time. I ignore them.

I could tell a similar story about any number of products. I find one I like and stick with it indefinitely. We've used the same toothpaste for nearly 20 years after my periodontist recommended it. Dozens of new ones have come on the market since then but that in no way influences what we use.

So yes, for the most part, we ignore advertising. We don't allow it to influence our spending habits.

Of course, there are exceptions. A week ago, we watched the Tony Awards, an extended advertisement for Broadway theater. As a result of that, we are planning to go to NYC next month to see Something Rotten, a show we were introduced to on that show. So I can't say it never influences us but not nearly as often as most.

[JoeP]

I will say that one gray area for me is PC gaming. I have a few games on my Steam wish list, and am very patient waiting for them to go on sale. I have money saved up and can buy most of them today if I wanted, but am willing to wait for an email telling me one of the games on my wishlist is on sale.

Regarding shaving, I use a blade, but have found ways to make the blades last a very long time. I had used electric for about 20+ years, never being satisfied with the results. This is after buying various makes and models: Norleco x 3, Braun x 2, Remington x 2. One was $140 I think. For shaving cream, I normally buy the cheap Gillette Foamy stuff, but will sometimes try a different brand if it is on sale for the same price as my Foamy. But if I like that new brand, I'm still not willing to pay more once the sale is over....I'll go back to Foamy!

[ua_guy]

I got into a discussion with a friend about advertising, and it ended up becoming more of an argument. His claim was that advertisers know me better than I do, and have ways to convince me to buy something with me even knowing. I asserted that I am in full control of my buying habits, at which point the word "impossible" was uttered.

This topic has come up here countless times. I know several people here claim to ignore advertising, sometimes even muting or shutting it off, and do independent research from uncompensated sources (friends, family, co-workers) before making most non-trivial purchases. After all, radio and TV promote products in exchange for money...hardly impartial!

So what is your opinion? Are we here in this forum simply a little more guarded about spending, and does that affect how we react to advertising?

Advertising is persuasive, but it isn't mind-control. To spend money is still a conscious choice, despite the best data modeling and attempts at appealing to your subconscious brain. Some folks are more receptive or resistant.

[disneysteve]

For shaving cream, I normally buy the cheap Gillette Foamy stuff, but will sometimes try a different brand if it is on sale for the same price as my Foamy. But if I like that new brand, I'm still not willing to pay more once the sale is over....I'll go back to Foamy!

This is a good point. We will buy different brands from time to time, but only within the bounds of the price being comparable to our usual brand.

Perfect example: I always buy store brand Cheerios. Last week, they were out of the store brand. I looked at the brand name ones and, of course, they were more expensive. But then I noticed there was a bulk pack of 2 large boxes together. The unit price on those was actually less than the price of the store brand, so I bought the brand name ones.

Occasionally, one brand will be on sale cheaper than the brand we usually use, so we buy it, but then go back to the cheaper brand next time when the sale is over.

[bjl584]

I ignore advertising. I buy what I need or like based on personal experience or preference. I don't feel that advertising has ever strongly influenced me to do something that was not financially prudent.

[Fishindude77]

There is something to your friends point of view.

If you've ever done sales, and done enough of it to get good at it, you eventually realize that there are distinct personality types that can be easily guided into a sale by adjusting your technique based on the client and taking advantage or their personality traits. The advertising is like chumming the waters, it lures the fish in and gets them in the mood, then a good salesman hooks and lands them.

Anybody that claims they only make purchases if and when it makes economic sense is full of horse pucky.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I suppose your friend has his own vulnerability in mind. He may also like being able to give himself the excuse, sort of "the devil made me do it."

[GREENBACK]

I think the one time that ads can get a lot of people ( I'm guilty!) is when you go to shop for a product you not real familiar with but when you get to the store you may recognize a brand from an advertisement. This has only influenced me on low cost items. I'd go do further research on a big ticket item.

[bennkar]

Well lets see, don't watch TV except for football, and it seems to have advertisements mostly for beer (I hate), trucks (ditto), & little blue pill (don't need). I don't go to malls, I buy groceries at Aldi's (all store brand items and pay with cash), visit WalMart only when I have something I really need there (wiper blade was my only purchase in the past 6 months), buy all my clothing at yard / estate sales (often new, but if not then like new), only buy loss leaders at CVS for near free, and so on.... Yes, I used to be slightly influenced by advertising (only buying Exxon gas comes to mind ), but now I can't think of the last non-store branded item I bought new that I didn't buy due to having gift cards for them.

As for being on their radar, if they know anything about me (beyond my age, wage, employer, education, and address), they have to be psychic. Ok, I may be (am?) a bit extreme, but it is possible to an enigma to advertisers. My favorite example was when I kept getting coupons for new born food for over a year (maybe 4 years ago?). I was single, almost 50, and no kids, so they were just guessing. I did pass along the coupons to a group that gave these out to poor parents.

[disneysteve]

I used to be slightly influenced by advertising (only buying Exxon gas comes to mind

I always wonder about this.

Around the corner from our house is an intersection with 2 gas stations - a Citgo and a Shell. Yesterday, the Citgo was $2.49 for regular and the Shell was $2.99 for regular. I have absolutely no clue why anyone, under any circumstances, would willingly pay an extra $.50/gallon. But I see Shell commercials and magazine ads periodically and never see any advertising for Citgo. Does that account for it? I have no idea. Even if you are using a Shell credit card, you don't save $.50/gallon or earn rewards that would be worth that much.

[rennigade]

I always wonder about this.

Around the corner from our house is an intersection with 2 gas stations - a Citgo and a Shell. Yesterday, the Citgo was $2.49 for regular and the Shell was $2.99 for regular. I have absolutely no clue why anyone, under any circumstances, would willingly pay an extra $.50/gallon. But I see Shell commercials and magazine ads periodically and never see any advertising for Citgo. Does that account for it? I have no idea. Even if you are using a Shell credit card, you don't save $.50/gallon or earn rewards that would be worth that much.

Probably because shell often partners with grocery stores for discounts. I know in my area...you earn gas rewards at giant and for each $100 you spend you get 10cents off in gasoline. Unfortunately its from shell stations which always jack up their rates.

[Singuy]

Three advertising giants that gets you to overpay for an inferior product and I believe these three giants actually do have mind control over people.

1. APPLE
2. BOSE
3. Tiffany and Co.

nuff said.


..as I listen to my bose soundlink mini using an ipad air..lol

[disneysteve]

Probably because shell often partners with grocery stores for discounts. I know in my area...you earn gas rewards at giant and for each $100 you spend you get 10cents off in gasoline.

Interesting. I have not seen any such promo being advertised in this area. Even if it exists, though, it still wouldn't make sense. What good is getting 10 cents off if you are still paying 40 cents more?

[bennkar]

Interesting. I have not seen any such promo being advertised in this area. Even if it exists, though, it still wouldn't make sense. What good is getting 10 cents off if you are still paying 40 cents more?

Because many people don't understand basic logic? Not to put a too blunt point on this, but most people just aren't very bright.