Always Patronize Loansharks Responsibly
I'm listening to the radio and I hear an ad for "Check-n'-Go" check cashing services. At the very end of the ad, the announcer quickly mutters, "Remember to always use cash advances responsibly." This is what we've come to, they're borrowing language from liquor ads. Guess that's the boilerplate you throw up when advertising an item that's potentially addictive and hard to escape. What's next? Remember, always gamble responsibly. Remember, always snort responsibly. Remember, always Katamari Damacy responsibly.
Post a comment
Comments:
They've been doing the "always gamble responsibly" thing for years now. In AC, for example, most of the casino advertisements contain the gaming commission's slogan "Bet with your head, not over it."
I don't need some check cashing place telling me what to do. If I want to use my cash advance irresponsibly, then I damn well will. This is 'merica.
Katamari Damacy responsibly? Preposterous!
Three words--Gary Freakin Coleman
If he's OK paying 99.25% interest, how can they be bad?
o/` Nuh-Nahhhhhhhhhhh, nah nah nah nah nah nuh nah nuh Katamari responsibly... o/`
meh... doesn't work as well as I thought it would.
Our local radio ads for Powerball and OR/WA Lottery products have a variant of gamble responsibly that includes "Not for investment purposes."
I sent this in to the tip address but it didn't make the cut. Check out [www.predatorylendingassociation.com] -- it's a really well done satire site that purports to tell you *exactly* how to be the best possible predatory lender you can possibly be. They even have a google mashup that helps you pick a business site close military bases etc. Really well done and researched site. Reading the angry comments from 'real' predatory lenders in the forum is a hoot as well.
CHRISDAG, I also sent in that website to the tip address here. Talk about a website that tells it like it is. It's the best satire of an organization that I have ever seen. It had me going for a few minutes until I clicked on the "contact us" link.
Then when I filled in the box to get their newsletter I could not stop laughing at the reply after I regestered.
To me it was the funniest and both the saddest website I have ever seen. I deceided to put it on my website on the home page [www.consumerfight.com].
I had a friend that took out a "payday loan" and wound up paying $25 "interest" each month for over a year, never paying the original loan. He died before he ever paid them back. Small consolation but I'm still happy they will not see any more money from him again.
Vermont apologizes for it's lottery constantly, saying "please play responsibly" and "proceeds benefit Vermont education" in every commercial. The guy says it like babies will be eaten if he doesn't...
As for this, I don't think it's really an issue. People will use cash advances or they won't, and it really isn't anyone's business what interest rate is charged. They do tell you the rate before you sign the dotted line, so do the math. :|
I just noticed the same thing last night. The bar where my wife knits had the football game on, and the exact same phrase was used by Moneytree. I don't have a TV, and don't listen to commercial radio (except for traffic reports), so I didn't know how new it was.
When I was in the army, many years ago, guys would borrow money with the understanding that they would pay back double on payday. The grand-daddy of payday loans. It was said to be illegal, but it went on regularly anyway. It was quite profitable for those of us without expensive vices to feed. I wonder how many of the guys running these "loan" companies started out that way.
The King of Cosmos will HOLD you responsible.
This has been going on for quite some time here in central Florida. They've taken a lesson from pharmaceutical ads, by giving this warning in a nonchalant, even jovial tone.
@TechnoDestructo:
As long as he doesn't shoot me with eye lasers or try to squish me with pool bals, it's all good.
Wait... are we actually getting mad because they are advising people to use their advances responsibly? I am sure if they didn't put this notice in there a Consumerist article would pop up talking about how someone used their advance irresponsibly and now has to own up for their actions. Of course the person would be portrayed as the hero for standing up for his/her irresponsible spending habits...
it's been so long since I've bought one, but I think Texas Lottery scratch offs say "Gamble responsibly"
I'll never go to a payday lender, but I have had cause to go to my local pawn shop once or twice. At least they don't pull any punches and don't try at every turn to trap you.
Remember, always eat Aquadots resposibly.