WTAE, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, just ran a story about people spending rebate cheques on televisions. It went from stern to drooling at record speed, with the “reporter” noting that for only a hundred dollars extra over the base model, one can “invest” in the 42″ Visio model!
There are certain marketing-like words that we sometimes allow to creep into coverage–companies may unveil gadgets, boast of new features, or sport cheap crimson lipstick–but this one is just a beauty. Invest!
Not that 42″ is that big these days, but when I bought a TV recently I made sure it was full HD (1080p) and had a digital TV tuner built in as well as plenty of inputs.
I would call it an investment, as in “To commit money or capital in the hope of financial gain” in the sense of a) not having to buy a new one because this one’s obsolete in 5 years time and b) “a penny saved is a penny earned”. Same as you would invest in a more expensive but a lot sturdier pair of boots. (Think Vimes)
Spend an extra £200 now or spend another £1,200 in 5 years time.
Or as my mum always says: “We’re too poor to afford cheap stuff”.
Phelyan, you’ve fallen for precisely the trick they were trying to pull! It’s a 42″ over a 32″ model in the same lineup; they’ll last just as long as one another, and they’re all garbage anyway.
This is why “invest” is such a killer word. Not only does it set out to confuse product satisfaction with financial gain, but it inappropriately summons the (otherwise correct) arguments you list regarding consumer durables.
Smart money on cheap TV sets goes to Olevia, BTW.
I wouldn’t say so. If I had bought the 32″ model then next year I would be regarding the bigger model with envious eyes, and slowly and surely draw my plans to get one.
Although when you said “base model” that to me implied not just lacking 10 inches on the diagonal but also limited capabilities, which would validate my point.
Just to throw in my $.02 – The word “invest” in advertising consumer products has always gotten my goat. When you invest money you have an expectation (or at least the hope), of coming away with more money than you put in. When you BUY a consumer item, LOSES some of its monetary value as soon as you take it out of the box.
Spending money on a new car, TV, stereo, whatever can by no means be considered an investment. The companies who use the term are stretching the truth, (what a surprise!).
Sounds like on of these VNRs.
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Video_news_releases
The sad thing is that by the time the segment got my attention, I couldn’t tell how it had been framed. On reflection, it might well have been a VNR. There’s not really much difference, though, since the news channel is presenting it as news in either case.
Dammit, they got me. I bought a 42″ as soon as I heard I was getting a check. Baaaa. (sheep talk for “I’m a sucker consumer, but a happy one”)
I was planning to invest mine in crack, illegal guns and hookers. Take that talking heads!
What’s the rate of return on them babies? About -40% a year, right?
But then, what do I know, I still have a 21″ tube. Two of them, in fact. And a VHS, which I still use.