marketing_babble Strideo does anyone remember when a used car was called a "used car"? at some point in the land of commercial advertising they became "preowned" cars. yeah, like the previous owner never actually used it right? right . . . so I just herd a radio commercial advertising used Volkswagens and the super slick marketing whizzes (out of touch dorks) actually called the used Volkswagens "preloved" cars. preloved. come on! did they actually do a focus group for this campaign? did the members of this group actually say "yes, I feel better about buying a car that was preloved as opposed to preowned". I doubt it. at least I seriously hope that is not the case. now maybe I'm being a little cranky and cynical this morning right? NO! it's these kind of little "feel good" terms that the advertisers try to slip by us hoping that we won't stop and notice how dumb they are that I think is just insulting and condescending toward the consumer. sure, I understand that it's the marketers' job to portray their product in as positive a manner as possible but if a potential customer feels insulted rather than informed then they fail. ... 070723 ... Kung Fun if they have to market it, it simply means its a crap product. word of mouth pudding is the best, see it's two things at once, a truth recommendation and a hitch, you just pick it up when and where you need it. It's just what travelers do you see, some leave poems under pillows, some do swaps, some walk alone and some jump from group to group, but they only take the good and the fun stuff (no crap, no logo). 070723 ... Lemon_Soda Marketing good. Word of Mouth good. Together, Best. 070723 ... dosquatch Such a thorough job has been done over the years by dealerships of turning "used car salesman" into a sleazeball image that the auto manufacturers had to do something to put themselves apart from their own history. Enter "preowned car salesmen". It's all about trying to make your product palatable to your target's ears and eyes. It's why it's not "toilet paper" anymore, instead it's "bathroom tissue". It's why the word "free" gets plastered on so much stuff, even when it is actually an absurd lie. "Free blah blah with purchase" still involves the spending of money. "Buy One Get One", same deal. It's a psychological hook. It's how "frosted cocoa sugar bombs" can be "part of a nutritious breakfast". You just don't say which part. What annoys me more, though, are the obviously marketoid campaigns that are trying to be "viral". "I'm a little lad who loves berries and creeeeam"!!? Please, gouge my eyes out and bust my eardrums. 070723 ... Strideo Ugh! not the berries and cream lad! not that! I also like the car commercials with the screaming guys who excitedly inform you that "ALL CREDIT APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!!" duh. of course all credit applications will be accepted. it doesn't mean they will actually give you the car loan but they'll always accept the credit application. ... 070723 ... dosquatch I have a dealership here who screams that "ALMOST ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE APPROVED!!" They do not lie. What they don't say is that the loan won't neccessarily be enough to cover a car on the lot, and will carry an interest rates that make loan sharks say, "Oh, man, that's just *wrong*." But, hey, car loan, right? I wonder what one must do to NOT make the cut under these terms. 070723 what's it to you? who go blather from