My mother used to tell me ..To always tell the truth. Of course, I kind of thought ..That all the rest would, too. The items that I ordered ..From fast-talking radio ads Led me to believe that ..Perhaps I had been had. The lesson to be learned is ..That ads should make you wary. One claim you can be sure of ..Is to trust in no truth fairies.
Did you ever buy something advertised on TV or in a magazine and was disappointed with the quality or the performance of the product? While it is impossible to change the way some companies advertise their products, here are a few clues that will warn you away from being cheated.
Over-the-counter medications are prime examples of the old carnival pitch. If words like ’sometimes’, helpful’, bigger’, or ‘more effective’ are used, then you know that without a comparative study and the percentages to go with them, these modifiers serve only to put a positive spin on the product. When a medication is helpful, does that mean one per cent of the time or ninety percent of the time? How often is sometimes and bigger than what? Products touted as ‘amazing’ or ‘fantastic’ get your adrenaline going, but don’t let it get to your wallet. Personal recommendations are purely anecdotal and have nothing to do with a comparative blind study. Adjectives like ‘incomparable’, ‘incredible’ and ‘unbelievable’ often mean exactly what they say.
Infomercials touting the benefits of their own herbal concoction are safe in the fact that these dried plants and effusions will in no way harm anyone. Every mysterious ill that people worry about will find their way in this special concoction. The free bottle is usually followed by interminable payments that resist removal..
Skin products are rampant with false claims and mythical properties. In science class, we learned that the human skin is practically impervious to anything you put on it except for some acids or strong alkali. A simple softening hand lotion is all you’ll ever need and then only in unusual circumstances. Hair shampoo is another catch-all for superlatives. A bar of hand soap in soft water will wash your hair fifty times for eighty cents and do a great job.
I once ordered three ‘Multi-fruit trees’ from a magazine ad. The picture showed apples , pears, cherries and peaches growing from the same tree! I paid my $5.95 and received three dried out sticks wrapped in sphagnum moss. Not even Darwin himself could resurrect these specimens. Other similar items found their place in the attic, like FM transmitters (Fool your friends with your voice on the radio!), instant breast enhancers, fifteen watt bulbs that last forever, and an all-purpose stain remover that supposedly helps remove (almost) any stain.
So don’t be taken in by the seemingly wonderful qualities of ‘bargain’ products. Rely on scientific studies, consumer reports and trial and error. If that doesn’t work, ask your mother.
Retired portrait photographer. Any comments?
