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Discussion: Regulate Mobile Phone Gimmicks Ads
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PacShady |
Regulate Mobile Phone Gimmicks Ads
Mar 7 2008, 9:30 PM EST
These ads on TV telling people to get ringtones and games and relationship advice and other assorted gimmicks from Jamster and Ringtone King and all the others are getting out of hand. It's well known that kids often sign up to these companies on their mobiles and the parents end up being hammered with a several thousand dollar phone bill because of the fees (which aren't advertised sufficiently enough).Firstly, I propose that the ongoing fees and other terms and conditions are made 100% clear to the viewer, including making the font for the terms at the bottom of the screen much bigger than they are, and by making the actors voice the terms during the commercial, so that people are well aware of just how much they're paying for the service and what they're getting for it, as well as how to stop the service. Secondly, all the lies must go, for instance those "extra strong" vibrate ringtones don't actually make the phone vibrate stronger (vibrate strength is locked in the phone by the manufacturer), and just because you and your partners names are apparently not "compatible", doesn't mean you and your partner's relationship is doomed to failure (I wonder just how many stupid people have broken their relationship due to these "compatibility" services). These should be banned. As well as these lies, the word "unique" should be banned, since these products can be got elsewhere in every case. I would like to see these companies banned altogether, to me they're a disgusting attempt to take money from people gullible (or just plain stupid) enough to buy such useless gimmicks, but I don't see that happening. However, I think it's very important to make these changes at least, to stop so many kids and other people being suckered into these scams. 37 out of 47 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Posted Anonymously |
1. RE: Regulate Mobile Phone Gimmicks Ads
Mar 29 2008, 5:38 AM EDT
Pac, I often shake my head when I see these ads as well but I don't think it is worth the hassle to ban them. Banning them would introduce regulations that just make life harder for everyone (basically I am saying regulation should be kept to a minimum). People have been getting suspect advice about relationships for centuries. Consider astrology for example. I see these ads as something to do if your reallllly bored and have more money than sense. For me, it is not something worth giving a second thought about. Cheers, Dale 0 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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PacShady |
2. RE: Regulate Mobile Phone Gimmicks Ads
Mar 29 2008, 6:18 AM EDT
"Pac, I often shake my head when I see these ads as well but I don't think it is worth the hassle to ban them. Banning them would introduce regulations that just make life harder for everyone (basically I am saying regulation should be kept to a minimum).OK, maybe I should've phrased that differently. In regard to the relationship name compatibility thing, it's not so much the ads themselves that should be banned, but the fact they are touted as being factual and your relationship WILL fail if we say so that should be banned. Make them say (not just cram into tiny font at the bottom of the screen, but as I mentioned above, make the actor actually SAY) that they're intended for entertainment use only. It would also protect the company (as badly as I wish the companies WEREN'T protected) selling the "product" from being sued when someone with loads of cash loses their partner as a result of their scam. Do you find this valuable? |
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Posted Anonymously |
3. RE: Regulate Mobile Phone Gimmicks Ads
Mar 29 2008, 9:04 PM EDT
I actually could not imagine someone dumb enough to use the advice given by the companies to have much money in the first place. If they did, it would just be a matter of time before it was taken off them by some other scam. Really, I think the market they are targeting is silly teens and young adults who just want a laugh. If it lead to serious harm ie people being billed for big money, then yes, it would need to stop. However if it is just another fad to take money off people who don't know better, then it will be hard to stop because fads like this are everywhere. I definitely agree that deceipt should not be allowed and practices targeting the vulnerable should be regulated. However, unless there is evidence along these lines it is best for the government to keep their noses out of it. Often what seems like a straight forward step ends up having undesired consequences and so keeping regulation to a minimum is also important. Cheers, Dale Cheers, Dale Do you find this valuable? |
