Is It Fraud, Bargain Or Deception?

Is It Fraud, Bargain Or Deception?

A good example of what’s being done in TV advertising is what follows the phrase “But wait!” The offer is then made to “double the amount, free.” Just pay a separate processing and handling fee.

This sounds good at first until you see what the P&H really is. Eggtastic is a typical example. The egg cup and other supplies costs $10 with a P&H fee of $5, totaling to $15.

The extra “free” cup (value $10), comes with a P&H fee of $5. The $15 with the extra $5 totals to $20.

Now, is this a bargain, or fraud, or deception?

You are getting $20 in value (the 2 cups) and you are paying $20, so you’re getting what you paid for. It’s no fraud (eggtastic, to its credit even includes a chart spelling this out in its online ad). So it’s no bargain. Nothing is “free” here. The deception comes from giving the impression that you are somehow getting a bargain. If you have no use for two of what’s being offered, it isn’t worth it.

So next time you hear “But wait!”, take it literally. Wait and calculate.