Have you ever noticed?

JDgreen227 · Nov 10, 2011

When a tv commercial features a local body shop, plumber, water softening company, tv repairman, etc. 90% of the commercials will show the customer or homeowner shaking hands with a representative of the company advertising their services. It's become such a cliche it makes me laugh when I see it. No doubt, because the commercial shows the handshake, such a company just has to be reputable, reliable, and honest. :laughing:

MicroPilot · Nov 10, 2011

As if they would have an dis-satisfied client on their commercial!

JDgreen227 · Nov 10, 2011

MicroPilot said:
As if they would have an dis-satisfied client on their commercial!

We all know the "client" portrayed on screen is just another actor...as is the representative of the company...:laughing:

MMagis · Nov 10, 2011

What do you expect on a commercial? The reason for this post escapes me to be honest.

Phils · Nov 10, 2011

The making of local commercials by local stations is by definition more amateurish than the high dollar campaigns done by corporations. It'd be sad for big agencies if it were any other way.

The sales rep for that local station (or maybe an independent contractor) arrives with a camera and little, if any, "script". The "customer" is never a "actor", more likely a friend or maybe even a real customer. Show the business, show some employees, make mention of the reasons why doing business there is good.

So what do they really need to show on the commercial? Anything that'll satisfy the client that they are getting something for their advertising dollar. These aren't professionals writing or making these things. They are sales reps trying to make a living.

I've been on both sides so I cut 'em a lot of slack... but, of course, I also DVR and watch very few commercials at all.

Phil

yooper1 · Nov 10, 2011

One commercial aired here is for an oil change shop.

It has a "customer" saying he always takes his vehicles to the shop.

Problem is, the "customer" has a logo on his shirt of the shop and a name on the opposite side.

He is one of the employees there and they used him as the customer.

I wonder who approved that one?

Gizmo2 · Nov 10, 2011

Reminds me of the "REPLACEMENT WINDOW" joke.

Begin

Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with that expensive double-pane energy efficient kind, and today, I got a call from the contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the work had been completed a whole year ago and I still hadn't paid for them.

Helloooo, just because I'm blonde doesn't mean that I am automatically stupid. So, I told him just what his fast talking sales guy had told me last year, that in ONE YEAR these windows would pay for themselves! HELLOOOOOO? It's been a year! I told him.

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just hung up. He never called back. I bet he felt like an idiot.
END

I thought it was funny.

JDgreen227 · Nov 10, 2011

yooper1 said:
One commercial aired here is for an oil change shop.

It has a "customer" saying he always takes his vehicles to the shop.

Problem is, the "customer" has a logo on his shirt of the shop and a name on the opposite side.

He is one of the employees there and they used him as the customer.

I wonder who approved that one?

Did the "customer" in that one happen to mention he gets the employee discount....? :laughing:

brin · Nov 10, 2011

What I really resent are the commercials where a guy or gal comes out in a long white lab coat with a stethoscope wrapped around their neck and begins pitching some drug or another...You know they are actors and not doctors...and even in the commercials where they have it scrolling on the screen...Dr. so and so...I don't believe it or if it is a Doc. you know they are not doing the commercial for free...they are getting paid big bucks..Should be illegal.!

I remember back in the day...when there was a disclosure on the TV screen required..that said these are only Actors...that should still be the law or the govt. is endorsing scams and con jobs.