Of the many falsehoods perpetrated by advertisers on the public, perhaps the most virulent is the $800 or so "destination charge" that auto dealers tack onto the price of the car you want to buy. When I go to a coffee shop and order a turkey burger deluxe for $8.95, they don't charge me an extra $1 to bring it out from the kitchen. I'm not sure why auto dealers can get away with doing essentially just that.
That's yet another example of some of the little things companies do to erode any trust or good feelings with the consumer that they might benefit from. David Pogue, a technology writer for The New York Times has started a crusade of sorts to get the cellular carriers to stop forcing you to listen to a mechanical voice say, "when you are finished recording hang up..." which adds, of course, billions, yes billions, to their revenue totals.
I would imagine if a cellular carrier, an automaker, a computer manufacturer or an airline positioned themselves as "The no * _____," they would attract tons of positive PR, customers and probably a whole lot more. Unfortunately, nickel and diming is how we make our dollars.
The ad above is what set me off on this screed. An airline that lists a price and then an additional charge for gas. The fuel necessary to get you to your destination isn't included in the price of a ticket to that destination?
2 comments:
if fuel is not included is should be called ground fair, as one will never make it into airspace with out it.
Wait--they haven't mentioned the additional cost of a ham sandwich and Diet Coke yet.
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