Back in April I wrote a post about some of the slick marketing techniques that companies will use to try and get your business. I’m not going to say that it’s always intentionally misleading, but it can sort of be deceptive at times. Here are a few that I’ve run across recently:

1. Refinance to save hundreds every month.

I’ve actually heard this one on the radio quite a bit over the last couple months, and while it can actually be true and financially beneficial, it isn’t always. If you refinance to a lower rate it’s very possible that you’ll save money. Even so, when many people refinance they end up extending the term of the loan since that’s the only other way a mortgage company can lower a monthly payment. If you’ve only got 10 years left on your mortgage and you refinance into a 30 year loan to lower your payment, you may not actually be saving yourself anything. You just need to make sure you understand what you’re actually doing and the associated terms.

2. Buy this because I did.

You’ll usually see this type of advertising with celebrities. One such example is the American Express ad that has a well known personality who says “…that’s why I’m a card member. Are you…?” You’ll also see a lot of commercials where normal everyday people endorse a product and tell you why you should as well. I believe it’s a great idea to get other’s opinions but you’ve got to make sure that it’s objective. When looking into a purchase, just make sure you make an informed decision.

3. Limited Time Offer.

I’ve heard this one countless times. I’ve heard it in DVD advertisements and time share sales pitches. This tactic is employed in order to give you a sense of urgency and make you think that if you don’t act you’ll regret you’re decision later when it’s too late. If you think about this rationally though, they’re still selling time shares and all other products that were once advertised this way. [Note: The only exception I’ve seen is the Disney Movie Vault.] Don’t let yourself be rushed into a decision. There will always be another great deal.

These are only some of the tricks that marketers employ to try and get you to buy something. If you’ve seen any others, feel free to share them in the comments.

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