Last year I wrote about “our culture of lying” and the effects that permeate the United States. Specifically I highlighted the disingenuous business practices that exist throughout our country. Today I want to provide another example of that type of behavior.
Two days ago I received in the mail a letter that had every appearance of a bill. In fact, the letter that arrived says:
Description of Services ANNUAL WEBSITE SEARCH ENGINE LISTING
FROM JAN 31, 2011 THRU JAN 31, 2012 $85.00
TOTAL $85.00
Then down at the bottom of the page is the typical “coupon-style” perforated bill enclosure. On this solicitation for me to change my web hosting it does say, “THIS IS NOT A BILL. THIS IS A SOLICITATION. YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PAY THE AMOUNT STATE ABOVE UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OFFER.” However, my point is that this is a very deceptive looking piece of mail that is clearly designed to induce a feeling in someone that they owe money to Web Listings, Inc.
I am certain that the company would muster up the usual excuses for this kind of deceptive advertising. Such as: we fully disclose what our letter is to each person. Or, one could argue whether this looks like a bill or not. Blah, blah, blah. These sorts of hucksters exist specifically because they walk a fine line between disclosure and deception. My point is that ultimately this kind of deceptive advertising introduces mistrust into our culture. Mistrust leads to cynicism. Cynicism leads to indifference. Indifference leads to a surrender of personal power. Ugh!
It’s time for our culture to start punishing, not necessarily legally, those among us who only follow the letter of the law, and not also the spirit of the law. Shame on Web Listings, Inc.
Jason
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