QVC as Predatory Television
April 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM Leave a comment
Every once in a while, especially after I’ve had the kind of day that makes me want to have flat brainwaves, I surf over to QVC to see what they’re doing. The gardening shows crack me up, the way they tempt viewers with fully mature, three foot tall, bushy, wildly blooming perennials that were grown under absolutely perfect conditions whereas what you get when you place an order is a tiny sprig in a 2″ paper pot.
Right now they’re airing an “EternaGold” show featuring a bangle bracelet for – get this – $848.00 to $919.00, depending on the size. This gets to me. I imagine lonely people, drunk people, people who had no intention of spending almost $1,000 on a piece of jewelry today (that’s something one thinks about in advance, IMHO) regretting it tomorrow or when the bill comes. I think this kind of thing is essentially predatory television. It prays on our credit oriented, shopaholic society.
I’m not as articulate about this as I’d like to be because I’m conflicted. Obviously, QVC has a right to exist but I feel so sorry for the people who are seduced into spending that kind of money, on the spur of the moment, without ever expecting to do so.
Entry filed under: Fashion, Financial Crisis, Gardening, Media - General. Tags: .
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