Pet Peeve

[Tolduonce]

Not that I've ever ordered any of the stuff we see on mini infomercials, but there is a current hype that just galls me. It goes something like this:

But wait, act now and we'll send you a second gizmo for free!
Just pay separate shipping and handling.

Now maybe it's just me, but it seems that the guy throwing one pair of miracle product in the box, taping it shut and slapping on the address label could just as easily grab two items from the shelf and throw them both in the same box etc.
Usually the products are small enough and light enough that postage for two would be the same as for the one. With that in mind, I wonder if how they'd respond to the following phoned-in offer.

Hello, I'm calling to order two of your super duper what's its. I'm on my cell phone right outside your shipping point. May I come in and buy them directly to avoid shipping and handling? I don't mind stepping into your warehouse and grabbing the items from the shelf myself. What is the cost please?

So who's being fooled by these extra fees? Granted, this is a small peeve, but for the life of me I just don't get it.

 

[Obsessed]

I think we need to wait a decent interval after the passing of Billy Mays to complain about infomercials.

 

[RichGem]

Not that I've ever ordered any of the stuff we see on mini infomercials, but there is a current hype that just galls me. It goes something like this:

But wait, act now and we'll send you a second gizmo for free!
Just pay separate shipping and handling.

Now maybe it's just me, but it seems that the guy throwing one pair of miracle product in the box, taping it shut and slapping on the address label could just as easily grab two items from the shelf and throw them both in the same box etc.
Usually the products are small enough and light enough that postage for two would be the same as for the one. With that in mind, I wonder if how they'd respond to the following phoned-in offer.

Hello, I'm calling to order two of your super duper what's its. I'm on my cell phone right outside your shipping point. May I come in and buy them directly to avoid shipping and handling? I don't mind stepping into your warehouse and grabbing the items from the shelf myself. What is the cost please?

So who's being fooled by these extra fees? Granted, this is a small peeve, but for the life of me I just don't get it.

Marketing, plain and simple. It's all about making the potential consumer believe that they're special and/or getting something for nothing and therefore, it's a fantastic deal that they just can't pass up. Never mind the fact that they could probably throw in 4 gizmos for the price of one and still come out ahead.

 

[rmrdaddy]

I think we need to wait a decent interval after the passing of Billy Mays to complain about infomercials.

Amen....

 

[rmrdaddy]

Marketing, plain and simple. It's all about making the potential consumer believe that they're special and/or getting something for nothing and therefore, it's a fantastic deal that they just can't pass up. Never mind the fact that they could probably throw in 4 gizmos for the price of one and still come out ahead.

Absolutely. The fear of loss versus desire for gain. The tag line, " Don't Miss Out", is a classic call to action and does garner a knee-jerk response from some consumers.

 

[danek]

I bet that the charge for shipping and handling is actually their cost (maybe even a slight profit) of the gizmo. That's why they can say, "...return it for a full refund...less shipping and handling". I mean, why else would shipping and handling cost $18 for a flashlight, as an example?

 

[Tolduonce]

My post was not a jab at Billy Mays. I hope no offense was taken. Please accept my sincere apology.

 

[Obsessed]

My post was not a jab at Billy Mays. I hope no offense was taken. Please accept my sincere apology.

I was kidding; please don't trouble yourself about it.