Buy one, get one free, or bogof 1

3rd Sep 2008

Hello lovely people

Some people look at me with a funny expression when I tell them that we create our own reality. They say that reality is there, and all we can do is live it. But at the same time they allow other people to create their reality, and they never question it.

Let me give you some examples of how retailers create a reality that we swallow hook, line and sinker every time.

I will base my examples on UK retailers, but I am quite sure these practices are not unique to the UK.

A large chain of grocery stores has a few major stores that advertise in large, neon-lighted, bold letters that they are open 24 hours a day. But arrive at any of these 24-hour stores at five minutes past ten on a Saturday evening and they are closed. And even worse, these 24-hour stores close at four o’clock on a Sunday afternoon – and the 24-hour neon sign still goes on automatically at dusk.

Has anyone ever challenged these retailers in court for false advertising or for misleading the public on a massive scale? Not that I am aware of. In fact, people that live in the neighbourhood will probably tell you about their local shop that is open 24 hours a day. They have bought into the reality created by the retailer to the extent that they think people are mad to expect the shop to actually be open 24 hours a day.

Then there is the illusion of cash-back. Some retailers have the facility to let you withdraw cash from your own bank account using your debit card when you pay for your groceries. However, they do not ask you whether you would like to withdraw cash from your own account.

They ask whether you would like cash back. For me, the underlying assumption is that you were overcharged when you bought the products, and that the cashier had a spat of conscience when you paid, and decided on the spot to give you a partial refund. And you can even decide on the size of the refund. How generous of them.

I like to ask for a 100% cash refund, which is probably cruel, considering that the cashier was trained by the schooling system to swallow and not question. The poor child would struggle to realise that when you accept the offer of cash back, you pay (for the groceries) and you pay again (the commission that the retailer gets for facilitating the withdrawal). To be continued.

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Love and Light
Elsabe