Commercials that bug you?

[poundwise]

Back to commercials: I hate the radio ads that are fake conversations.

Person A: Oh no.
Person B: What is it?
Person A: My plumbing is messed up!
Person B: Relax. Just call ________ at 888-XXX-XXXX
Person A: ________?
Person B: Yes, _________. They fixed my plumbing, were courteous, etc...
Person A: Ok! I'll call _________. What was that number again?

*Ugh*

[skylovessea]

There was one drug that, no lie, no exaggeration, said that one of its side effects was, "Increased chance of death."

That's not only unsettling, in general, but a little vague. Its like they are saying, "We don't know why, but people using this drug seem to die more often."

That is very unsettling! But it did make me chuckle because of how nonchalant you made it sound.

[Cassandra]

Back to commercials: I hate the radio ads that are fake conversations.

Person A: Oh no.
Person B: What is it?
Person A: My plumbing is messed up!
Person B: Relax. Just call ________ at 888-XXX-XXXX
Person A: ________?
Person B: Yes, _________. They fixed my plumbing, were courteous, etc...
Person A: Ok! I'll call _________. What was that number again?

*Ugh*

Those drive me nuts too. I remember one that was playing here, both on the radio and on TV, for a bank. It was between the parents and their daughter over checking accounts. The conversation they were having was so fake and they exaggerated every. single. word. Every time it came on I changed the channel. They no longer play it, thank goodness.

[pearlieq]

Let me just say that I think it is impossible for any patient to make an informed decision about a medication, treatment or medical device based on a 30-second TV commercial.

On that we agree 100%. I see the benefit as opening up a dialogue between doctor and patient. I guess I take the "talk to your doctor" part of every ad literally. If it piques my interest, I will discuss it with my doctor and see what he has to say.

I'm sure it can get annoying for doctors to deal with the odd patient who insists the absolutely have a particular condition and want a particular drug because they saw an ad. But we all have to deal with idiots at work. I don't think we can blame the ads.

You should absolutely ask questions and find out what your options are. A multi-million dollar ad campaign does not help you do that.

I think the multi-million dollar campaign does a lot to help patients discover their options. Many DTC ads are for embarassing or nuisance conditions that used to go untreated because patients either thought they were a normal part of aging or because they didn't know that treatments existed.

How much did we talk about erectile dysfunction before Viagra ads? How many couples suffered in silence because they didn't know that there were treatment options? How many cases of Type II diabetes or high blood pressure were diagnosed and treated because a Viagra ad got a man to go to the doctor?

I understand the concerns about DTC ads. I just think there's enough good that comes of them to justify their existence.

Back to the topic at hand--I saw a really silly one the other day defending high fructose corn syrup. As if the premise wasn't bad enough, the ad was pretty clumsy. It was two teenage boys debating over whether HFCS wad bad for you or not--as if that's really at the forefront of every 18 year old boy's brain!

[Bimmer]

The classic ambulance-chasing lawyer ads: "Been in an accident? Let us help you get what you deserve. One call, that's all!"

Lately I've seen some Cash-4-Gold or something to that effect. Those are terrible.

[disneysteve]

Wait, I've got it.... The most annoying commercial man on TV... Billy Mays, the guy with that aggravatingly high, excited, nasal voice, who first started advertising Oxi-Clean, then other cleaning agents, then gardening, life insurance, and currently the "Mighty Mend-it" (just saw a bit of that one... ::shudder:: ) i can't stand that guy.

Every time one of his commercials comes on, I turn to my wife and say, "Why is that man screaming at me?" It's become a running joke in our house.

I see the benefit as opening up a dialogue between doctor and patient.

I think the multi-million dollar campaign does a lot to help patients discover their options. Many DTC ads are for embarassing or nuisance conditions that used to go untreated because patients either thought they were a normal part of aging or because they didn't know that treatments existed.

Back to the topic at hand--I saw a really silly one the other day defending high fructose corn syrup.

When DTC ads first started, they were what we call disease-state ads. They talked about a medical condition, described symptoms and said that if you had that, there was treatment available and to speak with your doctor. They never mentioned the drug by name. I'm fine with that type of advertising. When the rules got relaxed and they could start naming the drugs, that's what I really had a problem with.

I've seen the HFCS ad, too, and it is ridiculous.

The classic ambulance-chasing lawyer ads: "Been in an accident? Let us help you get what you deserve. One call, that's all!"

The other ones are the, "If you have ever taken this medication, you may entitled to compensation. Call us now." Originally, those ads ran for drugs that had been recalled due to dangerous problems. Now, I see ads running for drugs that are still on the market and still used on a daily basis.

[simpleyme]

there's a commercial for a company that can get you YOUR MONEY NOW
are you collecting on a judgement or annuity ?
then every one screams I NEED MY MONEY NOW repeatedly

[disneysteve]

Someone mentioned the instant tax refunds, but the current ad that really bothers me is the one starring Magic Johnson. Having a big name celebrity lends some undue credibility to these rip-offs. I was really disappointed to see him doing that. Surely, if he needed the money, he could have found something more legitimate to advertise.

I haven't seen it this year, but last year H&R Block ran ads about a scratch off contest where you could win money when you did your taxes. Sorry, but a legitimate tax organization shouldn't be turning the process into a lottery.

[Snodog]

I hate most commercials but I especially hate that squinty eyed Vince from shamwow and slap chop. "Call now! This price is so low you know we cant do this all day" And the same commercial has been running for months. "Your gonna love my nuts" Huh? There's no way i'de buy anything from this guy. At least get somebody thats seems HALF trustworthy.

[simpleyme]

I hate most commercials but I especially hate that squinty eyed Vince from shamwow and slap chop. "Call now! This price is so low you know we cant do this all day" And the same commercial has been running for months. "Your gonna love my nuts" Huh? There's no way i'de buy anything from this guy. At least get somebody thats seems HALF trustworthy.

that one of the commercials I was talking about ;-)

we think it is hilarious how he just starts randomly spouting rhyming words that make no sense! but the guy looks like a meth addict to I would never buy anything from him, what were they thinking when they hired him? they must have found him at a Boothe at the fair peddling things

[poundwise]

Bankruptcy Attorney John Orcutt

Never get real!

Life is short, file bankruptcy!

Need money for gas?

Get off the hook!


I feel like I need a shower after just seeing this guy on the screen.

[disneysteve]

Bankruptcy Attorney John Orcutt

Never get real!

Life is short, file bankruptcy!

Need money for gas?

Get off the hook!


I feel like I need a shower after just seeing this guy on the screen.

OMG! "Are credit card payments stealing your gas and food money?"

Are you sure that wasn't an SNL skit? It is amazing that it is a real commercial. No wonder this country is in the shape it's in.

[Snodog]

that one of the commercials I was talking about ;-)

we think it is hilarious how he just starts randomly spouting rhyming words that make no sense! but the guy looks like a meth addict to I would never buy anything from him, what were they thinking when they hired him? they must have found him at a Boothe at the fair peddling things

YouTube - Slap Chop (2 minute version)

Here is the link for those who never seen it.

[Snodog]

Bankruptcy Attorney John Orcutt

Never get real!

Life is short, file bankruptcy!

Need money for gas?

Get off the hook!


I feel like I need a shower after just seeing this guy on the screen.

Great, i'm going to go spastic on my plastic and file bankruptcy and get off the hook!

[Phenomenal Woman]

As much as I hate drug ads, what I hate even more is medical device ads - like the patient really has any part in the decision-making process here. If I need a joint replacement, am I going to go in and tell the board-certified orthopedic surgeon with decades of experience that I don't want the prosthesis that he recommends but to give me the one I saw on TV instead?

You seem to know the inside and out on those medical ads. Just curious on your thoughts, what do you think of those thick paper medical ads that are piled up in those Reader's Digests magazines?