batteries NOT included
Last week I found myself needing to order a new DVD player. I was using an old laptop of mine which I had connected to our TV. However, this old laptop has finally decided it won't hold a charge and won't stay on even though it is plugged in. (It's an old HP 2000 laptop.)
So I went to Amazon (of course!) and began looking through the options and reading reviews.
In looking at my options, I found DVD players do a lot more than they used to! lol
I thought I might as well go for it and get one I can use to stream as well.
I decided on the LG Electronics BP255 Blu-Ray Player (2015 Model) which had good reviews but didn't have an astronomical price tag.
Above is how it looked on Amazon.
Here it is out of the box. So far - so good!
I plugged it and then found I had nothing to connect it to the TV. Who does that?!
Guess I should have read the fine print!
On the box it does say plainly I need to purchase an ethernet cable.
But it doesn't even say that there is no HDMI cable NOT included. So there's two more orders I placed on Amazon. lolAs soon as they come in the mail today, I will have it finally ready to go!
As with most things in life - there is a lesson to be learned here.
Be 100% Transparent
Often times companies leave out key information which allows the consumer to make an informed decision.
I don't know about you, but when this happens to me, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I lose confidence and trust in the company.
Don't be subversive and sneaky in your sales copy!
You might be tempted to tell half truths in order to make an immediate sale. But what is more important is the long term relationship.
Most consumers - myself included - have long memories. We remember our good experiences BUT those bad experiences are etched in our memories even more.
And what's more - we tend to relate those BAD experiences MORE than the good ones.
Word of mouth is huge - even in the online world.
Most of my clients have come to me via word of mouth.
Well, I better get off now. I'm watching my grand kids (4 and 5 yr olds!) today while my daughter works a double shift! Hopefully I won't end up like this woman by bedtime!
Beverly Sills said,
"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."
Recent Comments
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Sorry for your experience Angela. That is crappy marketing and puts trust and credibility down the toilet. Makes you want to read customer reviews all the more!
Thanks Michael. I always read the reviews. In this case I should have looked more closely to the specs! lol
I assumed everything I needed to use it would be included.
Hi Angela, loved your post. Its happening more and more now when you buy things. All the best.
Ann
I recently ran into this same problem when I was purchasing some electronics for my grandkids. It seemed that everything it took to make things work properly had to be purchased separately. Very frustrating, not to mention expensive. Thanks for the great post, Angela.
Yes! I totally get your point! Especially with Christmas coming up and having two to buy for myself. It's crazy!
I honestly can understand the actual *batteries not included thing. I can live with that.
But don't sell me a toy that won't function without an accessory and then not include that accessory. And as you said - charge a fortune for it!
*sigh* lol
Excellent points here and what strikes me here is how "batteries not included" the make money industry in particular has become. Here is a $7 super product, little does consumer know that pretty much NOTHING is included. There are $1,000's in upsells often times.
And yeah, when I buy something and a cable and/or batteries are not included, in particular when they are required and this is not clearly stated, this can be VERY frustrating!
I completely agree! When I began my search and found WA, I came across a few like that. All filled with empty promises and no information. I won't name and shame but will just say I know who to avoid now!
Yes, I was pretty disappointed. I mean the whole point of a DVD player is to connect to the TV so you can view what's being played. Seemed like an obvious thing to be included. Guess not! lol
Thanks, Angela!
Had to learn that the hard way once, when promoting something.
If it's a good deal, it should really be all right to tell people exactly what they're getting, what they'll need and what it costs.
If a customer isn't supposed to know that, it's probably NOT a good deal........
That's exactly right Therese! I've found that when writing sales copy - I ask myself, could I prove this or back it up?
If the answer is NO then leave it out!
This is a great post. This has happened to me so many times. The other thing that happens is that I buy things, off the shelf, and find that they have been returned and are missing some component. Patience is a virtue.
Thanks :) Patience is absolutely a virtue! and one I still to need to work on it would seem! lol
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I agree with you Angela.
Our memories are like an elephants when we get chafed the wrong way.
Most definitely!