The Woes of False Advertising
Today was the 2nd day of the Mega Liquidation Sale at the Spokane county fair grounds in Washington. I certainly hope that like we did, not many people traveled very far to get the items that were advertised in the paper and online.
As advertised the parking was free, but as soon as you entered the doors they charged you a seven dollar per person admission. This was an outrage to many of the patrons who were gathered in the unorganized line that was formed in the doorway. It was a relief to many that children were free.
Each person was issued a yellow ticket and given a stamp on the back of their hand. Then we were allowed to enter the arena of salesmen. We searched frantically for the items that we saw advertised, but could only find a gigantic room full of clothes and sunglasses. Throughout the crowd you could hear the repeated comments of unhappiness at the lack of items found.
Moving on, we made our way into the room in the back. There we found decently priced items such as Tee shirts and hats, but to our dismay the computers, televisions, and cameras were highly over priced.
Advertised in the paper and online, there were pictures of new laptops for a hundred and ninety nine dollars, Brand name desktop computers for ninety nine dollars and digital cameras for as low as nine.
There was one desktop available, it was ninety nine dollars, but it was so old it was below the requirements for most of the current software that is available. The lowest priced laptop was as advertised, yet like the desktop, too old. The comments continued to flow about how they could go to any department store and get a newer item for cheaper.
Discouraged, my family and I sifted through the flea market like booths and found some things that we liked, I found myself a wonderful turquoise and silver bracelet and earrings, which the salesman gave me for half price and even helped me put the bracelet on my wrist. My children were happy with hats and sunglasses, but still the disappointment continued to linger.
As my children were weary from the hustle and bustle of all the people, I took them outside for a bit of fresh air. There we encountered the most upset of all the patrons.
Some wouldn't even go in because the ones coming out were complaining so harshly.
Many were upset over having to pay admission, yet the most widely heard complaint was that they had none of the things that they came for. One woman actually walked up to me and stated that if we hadn't gone in yet, to save our money because there was nothing there.
Nothing is wrong with upsizing a flea market by calling it a Mega Liquidation Sale, but false advertising is something that always is an upset. Others from our town also traveled to Spokane for this "Big sale" and conversing with them has proven that their disappointment is as large as mine.
Now I shall wonder every time I see a sale page for an event like that, and odds are that I won't go to any great lengths to attend it. Never have I had an actual experience with false advertising, and I hope I never have to again.
Published by Jennifer Wright
Jennifer is a freelance writer, being a freelance writer allows her to stay home with her five children. Having been a military wife for ten years she has a special interest in supporting the troops. View profile
- How to Prepare to Sell Used Clothes at a Flea MarketHave you always wanted to sell your old clothes at a flea market but didn't know how to get started? Follow these tips to make preparing for your first day at the flea market much easier.
- Save Money by Purchasing Outdoor Furniture at Your Local Flea MarketReusing and refinishing someone's trash can be your new treasure. Follow these tips for bargain hunting for outdoor furniture at your local flea market.
- How to Get the Most Bang for Your Buck at a Flea MarketI tell you how to score the biggest buys at the flea market without make a huge hole in your pocket. Read this now to find out how!
- Universal Flea Market - Winder, Georgia - Sales - Opportunity - EntertainmentThis is a personal review and summary of a new market in Winder, Georgia. The Universal Flea Market is preparing for its one year anniversary. The owner and its vendors have worked for a solid year to gain a reputatio...
- Resell Flea Market Merchandise: A Way to Earn Extra CashFlea markets provide an opportunity to build an impressive sales business even for those who know little about sales and business. You can even find products at the flea market to sell for a higher price.
- Keeping it Real - Flea Market Montgomery
- Tips for First-Time Flea Market Bargain Hunters
- Flea Market Shopping Guide
- Interior Design Lessons for the Flea Market Junkie
- Shipshewana Flea Market and Auction: Best Flea Market in Indiana and the Midwest
- What's Really at the San Jose Flea Market?
- Flea Market Expenses: The Cost of Doing Business
- False advertising
3 Comments
Post a CommentYup - the individual vendors were probably not selling anything different than they usually do. The company that set up the show set up the advertising and the admission, too. I'm guessing they'll have a tough time finding vendors to sign up with them again. They've probably been schlepping those same computers around for two years, just to advertise them and draw people in.
The admission was collected by the event organizer that managed the sale, not the vendors. The vendors paid a separate fee for their tables. You're probably safe if you never go to another event organized by that particular company. I guarantee the vendors heard everything too and will use a different organizer next time; they want happy customers too. In the self-correcting market, these nitwits will go out of business.
Wow, that is a horrible experience indeed. I hate when a store doesnt have what they advertised... let alone a "Mega Liquidation" flea market. Especially if they charge admission to get in, they must have known nobody would buy the good stuff and made up the revenues that way.