NYT Article on Brooklyn Bait-n-Switch Shops

Remy.. that's the old sales tactic of advertising a really great deal.. but when a customer asks for it, the sales guy says "oh, we just ran out of that one.. but here's another good deal".. which isn't a very good deal after all
 
RML said:
Bait-n-switch? Whats that?
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The "bait" is a seemingly GREAT deal, usually a brand-name item at an unbelieveable price....... or at least a price designed to lure people in.

The "switch" comes when they "just ran out" of the "bait" item but "just happen" to have another item that's "better" or, at least, "just as good" for whatever price.

You can bet that they either never had the advertised "bait" item or only had one. You can also bet that they have a warehouse full of the "switch" item and that their profit on it will be significant.

It's illegal and unethical.

Walker
 
'Brett, Walker, thanks for explaining. Hadn't heard that term before. Thought I'd better ask. 🙂
 
I sometimes use the "Bait N Switch" technique when I set up a blind date with a woman - I tell her that I'm tall, good looking, and have a full head of rich thick lustrous hair. Then when she shows up I tell her that my buddy couldn't make it but I'm even a better "deal" than he was.. 😀

Dave
 
dcsang said:
I sometimes use the "Bait N Switch" technique when I set up a blind date with a woman - I tell her that I'm tall, good looking, and have a full head of rich thick lustrous hair. Then when she shows up I tell her that my buddy couldn't make it but I'm even a better "deal" than he was.. 😀
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Are you telling me the guy in your avatar is you?! Wow! I'm now even more speachless about that shot. I like that started-deer look. 🙂
 
those camera 'shops' (that really are just a warehouse and a desk with someone answering the phone) are notorious for offering great deals on really popular cameras.. but when you read the fine print, you find out that only the camera body is selling at that price.. other 'accessories', like a battery, lens or lens cap, carrying strap, hood, etc. are 'add ons'.. once you total up the bill, their price is no different than anyone else.. often even higher

one of those firms, which always advertises in the photo mags, is A&M Photo.. they seem to stick around, so they're not one of the total scamming companies.. but you always have to question a good deal.. particularly in cameras and electronics
 
Dave, I've had women do the same thing to me.. I'd hate to see how bad the promised date was if she was worse than the toothless midget that I ended up with
 
RML said:
Are you telling me the guy in your avatar is you?! Wow! I'm now even more speachless about that shot. I like that started-deer look. 🙂
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heh.. yep Remy.. the avatar; c'est moi.

That's what I get for doing a "self portrait" with a 20mm lens 😉

Dave
 
JoeFriday said:
those camera 'shops' (that really are just a warehouse and a desk with someone answering the phone) are notorious for offering great deals on really popular cameras.. but when you read the fine print, you find out that only the camera body is selling at that price.. other 'accessories', like a battery, lens or lens cap, carrying strap, hood, etc. are 'add ons'.. once you total up the bill, their price is no different than anyone else.. often even higher
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Brett, back in the 1950's through the 1970's, it was standard operating procedure for the large NYC stores to strip the manufacturer's package of all accessories and sell only the camera body and lens. Everything else was sold separately; straps, case, lens caps...... everything. That's why it's always wise when dealing with any company out of NYC to know EXACTLY what you're getting for your money. Look for "factory sealed pack" or equivalent or ask.

Walker
 
RML said:
Bait-n-switch? Whats that?
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It is a dishonest selling technique where in the seller "baits" a buyer with a great deal. When the buyer "bites" the seller quickly "switches" the item or terms of the deal to make it much less attractive to the buyer.

Often the buyer has already committed in some way or is by now, so far along in the transaction, that he winds up with a worse and more expensive deal.

Most consumer protection and truth-in-advertising laws make this illegal. But speeding on the highway and jaywalking are also illegal. 😉
 
The €12,000 car in the TV ad looks great. But the garage only has the upmarket version, with special paint and so on for €15,000. They *might* be able to get you the one in the TV ad in about three months...
 
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