Advertising Inserts

roverbarmy · 11th March 2021, 21:02

I have had several run ins with my 96 year old mum because she keeps ordering c*ap from the inserts in her mags and circulars through her letterbox. They directly target the old, less mobile and vulnerable as they often can't get out to buy from shops or places where they can see what they are buying.

Her latest "purchase" was a small cupboard unit/magazine rack which was (you guessed it) self assembly. I was duly called in to do the honours. The collection of parts plus "instructions" were duly read, checked and started. A note within the packaging stated that no refunds would be given once the assembly had started. Unfortunately, you are not aware of badly prepared or ill fitting parts, mis-drilled holes and screws made of cheese until you start to assemble them.

Long story short, I had to lose almost three hours of my life to do a job that should take about twenty minutes at most. At the end of that, a wonky cupboard did not please me at all. I had to modify the slides on the drawers because they wouldn't (slide) and the laminate (wood coloured wallpaper) was starting to lift at the edges!

She has strict instructions not to order any more but I doubt that she will stop. She gets no end of "sales" calls (no doubt due to her sharing her number on their order forms.)

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! These criminals need stopping.

mh007 · 11th March 2021, 21:21

Irrespective of what this company may state on a note within the packaging, you are still covered against faulty goods & or faulty manufacture.

These companies like to make up the rules as they go along & hope that people will just go along with it.

Personally, rather than modify it, I would've just contacted the company (or magazine that it came from), demanded they had their cheap trash collected & demanded a full refund.

In fact, as it sounds like the end result is not of satisfactory quality & not as advertised, I would still do just that.

Avulon · 12th March 2021, 09:58

Retail therapy online. For people living on their own and stuck indoors it gives them something to look forward to. Browsing online and buying is something to do. Calling a sales line is a chat with someone else. Someone coming to their door for a few seconds personal interaction for delivery, and a new package to open excitement. In the case of 'needing assembly' has the additional benefit of a loved one coming round to spend time with and assemble the stuff.

If you find your older relatives/parents doing this, then you may consider that what they really want (however difficult in current situation) is actually to see people they know much more and spend more time in the company of others.

Rather than viewing it as three hours of your life lost. Look at as 3 hours to spend with your mum. I don't think either of you really care if the assembly gets finished and you have to come back to continue with it another day (not too far in the future!)

roverbarmy · 12th March 2021, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avulon

Rather than viewing it as three hours of your life lost. Look at as 3 hours to spend with your mum. I don't think either of you really care if the assembly gets finished and you have to come back to continue with it another day (not too far in the future!)

You have no idea how much time I spend with mum!!!

It's the rip-off factor that I'm upset about. Cheap tat sent half way around the world for some shyster to make money from vulnerable folks!!!

There's no quality or conscience any more. The review sites are full of complaints but still these folks prosper!

Avulon · 12th March 2021, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by roverbarmy

You have no idea how much time I spend with mum!!!

It's the rip-off factor that I'm upset about. Cheap tat sent half way around the world for some shyster to make money from vulnerable folks!!!

There's no quality or conscience any more. The review sites are full of complaints but still these folks prosper!

Absolutely, I don't know, and it wasn't a criticism of yourself: only an observation of what the elderly person on their own might want. There are many conflicting requirements of our time for all of us and sometimes we all feel 'spread thin' as it were. Couldn't agree more on the 'tat' aspect.

macafee2 · 13th March 2021, 16:00

thank goodness my mum did not find Amazon or Ebay

macafee2

macafee2 · 13th March 2021, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avulon

Retail therapy online. For people living on their own and stuck indoors it gives them something to look forward to. Browsing online and buying is something to do. Calling a sales line is a chat with someone else. Someone coming to their door for a few seconds personal interaction for delivery, and a new package to open excitement. In the case of 'needing assembly' has the additional benefit of a loved one coming round to spend time with and assemble the stuff.

If you find your older relatives/parents doing this, then you may consider that what they really want (however difficult in current situation) is actually to see people they know much more and spend more time in the company of others.

Rather than viewing it as three hours of your life lost. Look at as 3 hours to spend with your mum. I don't think either of you really care if the assembly gets finished and you have to come back to continue with it another day (not too far in the future!)

This is one of the most thought provoking posts I have seen for long time. Great post

macafee2

11th March 2021, 21:02	#1
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	Advertising Inserts I have had several run ins with my 96 year old mum because she keeps ordering c*ap from the inserts in her mags and circulars through her letterbox. They directly target the old, less mobile and vulnerable as they often can't get out to buy from shops or places where they can see what they are buying. Her latest "purchase" was a small cupboard unit/magazine rack which was (you guessed it) self assembly. I was duly called in to do the honours. The collection of parts plus "instructions" were duly read, checked and started. A note within the packaging stated that no refunds would be given once the assembly had started. Unfortunately, you are not aware of badly prepared or ill fitting parts, mis-drilled holes and screws made of cheese until you start to assemble them. Long story short, I had to lose almost three hours of my life to do a job that should take about twenty minutes at most. At the end of that, a wonky cupboard did not please me at all. I had to modify the slides on the drawers because they wouldn't (slide) and the laminate (wood coloured wallpaper) was starting to lift at the edges! She has strict instructions not to order any more but I doubt that she will stop. She gets no end of "sales" calls (no doubt due to her sharing her number on their order forms.) Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! These criminals need stopping. __________________ Oil in my veins!

12th March 2021, 09:58	#3
Avulon This is my second home 1.8t Tourer Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tanelorn Posts: 4,830 Thanks: 956 Thanked 1,148 Times in 916 Posts	Retail therapy online. For people living on their own and stuck indoors it gives them something to look forward to. Browsing online and buying is something to do. Calling a sales line is a chat with someone else. Someone coming to their door for a few seconds personal interaction for delivery, and a new package to open excitement. In the case of 'needing assembly' has the additional benefit of a loved one coming round to spend time with and assemble the stuff. If you find your older relatives/parents doing this, then you may consider that what they really want (however difficult in current situation) is actually to see people they know much more and spend more time in the company of others. Rather than viewing it as three hours of your life lost. Look at as 3 hours to spend with your mum. I don't think either of you really care if the assembly gets finished and you have to come back to continue with it another day (not too far in the future!) __________________ Need a T4 ?: T4 Owners Map thanks to Stevestrat ( use at your own risk) Where?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanelorn Mods/Retrofits: PCV vortex 'filter'; bluetooth; inline thermostat; reversing sensors; plenum spyhole ; headlamp washers ; Diy mp3 player replacing CD multichanger; FBH with remote; Headlamp washers; black/chrome front grille, rear blind; Xenon projectors To do: puddle lights; 2 Din cd/nav to fit; boot release button Last edited by Avulon; 12th March 2021 at 10:07..

11th March 2021, 21:21	#2
mh007 This is my second home MG ZT260 SE, MG ZT190+, MG ZTT 160, R75 Conn SE 2.0, R75 Conn SE 2.5 X 3, R75 Club SE 1.8, P5B Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Keynsham, Bristol Posts: 4,211 Thanks: 65 Thanked 635 Times in 499 Posts	Irrespective of what this company may state on a note within the packaging, you are still covered against faulty goods & or faulty manufacture. These companies like to make up the rules as they go along & hope that people will just go along with it. Personally, rather than modify it, I would've just contacted the company (or magazine that it came from), demanded they had their cheap trash collected & demanded a full refund. In fact, as it sounds like the end result is not of satisfactory quality & not as advertised, I would still do just that.

13th March 2021, 16:00	#6
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,928 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	thank goodness my mum did not find Amazon or Ebay macafee2