I don't want to harp on something I already complained about in October 15. But these frequent hospital advertisements irk me to no end. So, here is my suggestion.
Hospitals behave like competing department stores. In that case they should act like them. Give out coupons, like pay for one procedure you'll get the second 50% off or during special holiday seasons get the second one free.
Get one bypass surgery you'll get a free kidney removal; get a tumor removal and we'll give you a free liposuction. The possibilities are endless!
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We went to shopping with my wife today. Actually not having much else to do we go to stores a lot so my observation is not based on imagination but based on facts.
You go in a ladies clothing store where the signs knock your eyes out saying 40% to 70% sale. By the time you find what you are looking for it turns out that's not on sale. Then without any definite plan of what we need we start looking around at the sale racks that maybe there is something useful.
When you look at the sale sign really close, like with a jeweler's loupe, you'll see the small writing that says "Up To" the percentage advertised. Try to find one for the highest percent indicated.
We went to a Factory Outlet Mall this past weekend. In that mall we visited a famous name upscale fashion shoe store. My wife happens to like that brand and wears many of their shoes.
They were advertising 50% off marked price. After looking at several of the displayed shoes we came to the conclusion that they raised their prices before offering the 50% reduction.
Many stores including Macy's and Lord & Taylor advertise large reductions but when you read the fine print it always says "From Original Price". This original price is inflated and by the time you finish with the calculation you realize it's not even worth it.
I am also convinced that they throw garbage to the selling floors figuring people will be blinded by the humongous sales and will not see the inferior quality they are buying.
We live in New York City but if we don't have to we don't shop within the City. The sales people are rude, not helpful and not knowledgeable about their products. Except maybe at hi-tech stores. On the other hand when you go out to the country like Long Island you find the sales staff a lot more pleasant to deal with.
I think the guy who makes the most money is the one who paints the "& UP" sign everywhere. Go to any 99 Cent Store and you'll see that on the sign it always says "& UP". Another come on to get you to come in and leave your money there.
You go in a ladies clothing store where the signs knock your eyes out saying 40% to 70% sale. By the time you find what you are looking for it turns out that's not on sale. Then without any definite plan of what we need we start looking around at the sale racks that maybe there is something useful.
When you look at the sale sign really close, like with a jeweler's loupe, you'll see the small writing that says "Up To" the percentage advertised. Try to find one for the highest percent indicated.
We went to a Factory Outlet Mall this past weekend. In that mall we visited a famous name upscale fashion shoe store. My wife happens to like that brand and wears many of their shoes.
They were advertising 50% off marked price. After looking at several of the displayed shoes we came to the conclusion that they raised their prices before offering the 50% reduction.
Many stores including Macy's and Lord & Taylor advertise large reductions but when you read the fine print it always says "From Original Price". This original price is inflated and by the time you finish with the calculation you realize it's not even worth it.
I am also convinced that they throw garbage to the selling floors figuring people will be blinded by the humongous sales and will not see the inferior quality they are buying.
We live in New York City but if we don't have to we don't shop within the City. The sales people are rude, not helpful and not knowledgeable about their products. Except maybe at hi-tech stores. On the other hand when you go out to the country like Long Island you find the sales staff a lot more pleasant to deal with.
I think the guy who makes the most money is the one who paints the "& UP" sign everywhere. Go to any 99 Cent Store and you'll see that on the sign it always says "& UP". Another come on to get you to come in and leave your money there.
We found sales staff polite, we are not spoilt, in N Y although the prices with our £-s are far too high.
ReplyDeleteWith pricing, the "tricks of the trade" are similar here too. Quite annoying. You should do research before shopping.
J