# J C Penney's "Screaming" ad -- Want to boycott? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 27, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824 "2012-01-27T04:23:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/41 "2012-01-27T22:25:16Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > It just came on again. My cat, enjoying an early supper in the kitchen, froze and looked toward the living room for several seconds before returning to the job at hand… Good to know that if you were being stabbed to death and screaming, your watchcat would pause (and, to be fair, perhaps give the killer a withering stare). ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/42 "2012-01-27T23:18:20Z")
Just saw it and dear God is it awful. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2012, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/43 "2012-01-27T23:40:51Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Good to know that if you were being stabbed to death and screaming, your watchcat would pause (and, to be fair, perhaps give the killer a withering stare). Probably not. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/44 "2012-01-28T00:57:06Z")
Meh. At least it’s not [Macy’s Bieber](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdRzsmNqZGk) again. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/45 "2012-01-28T00:59:59Z")
I thought this would be about those two ninnies who scream bloody murder when they see a pic of a tarantula on their smart phone, but JCP doesn’t sell cell phones. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/46 "2012-01-28T01:20:58Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Meh. At least it’s not [Macy’s Bieber](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdRzsmNqZGk) again. I don’t see the problem either…perhaps folks just need to turn down their TVs _ **in general** _? If you just leave your TV on all the time as background noise that might be the real problem. I find ads which are rhetorically smug, condescending or presumptuous to be much more annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/47 "2012-01-28T01:27:56Z")
There’s still JC Penny’s? I’m guessing this ad and the whole “everything is changing” campaign is their last ditch effort to avoid bankruptcy and ruin. But sure, go ahead and kick them while they’re down ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/48 "2012-01-28T18:52:59Z")
Large chains like J C Penny, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Kohls and Nordstrom are all so wildly overpriced, that even their so-called 70% off is still too much for most of the bland crap they sell. Having worked in retail, I am always amazed at the idiots who actually believe that some lame jacket was worth the original $500 list price and now lunge at that same horrible jacket and snap it up when it is “only” $150 (wholesale, it probably cost about $40 - tops…).l The commercial is annoying - but as you have seen from this thread, it is certainly getting the attention they wanted. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/49 "2012-01-28T19:30:58Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Large chains like J C Penny, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Kohls and Nordstrom are all so wildly overpriced, that even their so-called 70% off is still too much for most of the bland crap they sell. > > Having worked in retail, I am always amazed at the idiots who actually believe that some lame jacket was worth the original $500 list price and now lunge at that same horrible jacket and snap it up when it is “only” $150 (wholesale, it probably cost about $40 - tops…).l > > The commercial is annoying - but as you have seen from this thread, it is certainly getting the attention they wanted. Yeah, I have to admit, I actually found it amusing. Not LOL or anything. I do not like the red, white and blue logo. It looks just like 1,000 other signs I pass everyday without even glancing at. I did get the impression the people in the commercial are obviously upset with coupons, sales, etc, and JCP is evidently planning on doing something about that. Whatever though. Coupons and sales aren’t a source of stress in my life. Oh, and I also didn’t know what JCP was. Doesn’t take much to figure out, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/50 "2012-01-29T00:03:57Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I don’t like the pig commercials. There is always someone within earshot who feels the need to scream “weeeeeeeeeee!” right along with that stupid pig. Thank you. I thought I was the only one because everyone else I know seems to think it’s the funniest thing ever. I want to snip that pig’s zipline so he can go “weeeeeee!” all the way down to becoming deviled ham :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/51 "2012-01-29T00:45:19Z")
> [@digs](#): > > I’m emailing JCP to say that I’m boycotting their store until they stop airing the “Enough is enough” commercial. How dare they scream bloody murder in my house; the poor dogs and wife react with instant anxiety (and, yeah, me, too). > > How can this be legal? Can you have a commercial with people yelling “Raaaape!” or “Help!” or “Fire!”? Hey, those wimpy bleeding hearts won’t even take my calls any more about the proper punishment for people who put siren/tire screech/crash sounds in radio ads. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/52 "2012-01-29T00:58:03Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > What? What the hell does yelling “fire” or “rape” have to do with this commercial? > > I don’t like the pig commercials. There is always someone within earshot who feels the need to scream “weeeeeeeeeee!” right along with that stupid pig. i would be that person. it amuses the cats. i also moo with cows, and sing along with the meox mix cat. i do not scream along with the jc penney’s ad, nor do i live near one so i will go along with the boycott. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/53 "2012-01-29T01:18:08Z")
Never saw the ad til I read this thread and after seeing it I think it’s simply a well made ad. It’s simply executed, delivers it’s message (the people are yelling at sales), and gives a teaser as to what the actual final result is (by simply putting the date) without actually giving it away. The screaming isn’t even THAT particularly loud. I can see how people can think this commercial is annoying and stupid…but from a very very amateur advertiser’s (I’m studying it in college) perspective this is a very good commercial. edit: So OP…you get a response back yet? ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/54 "2012-01-29T02:09:48Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > I’m in. > > I think JCP sucks anyway, so it will be easy to stay away. I haven’t shopped there in years. I’d venture a guess that I’ve never spent a nickel (or even a penny!) there in my entire life, so my opinion _really_ doesn’t count. ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/55 "2012-01-29T02:21:22Z")
I can’t boycott a store if I never go there already. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/56 "2012-01-29T03:33:08Z")
> [@Ruffian](#): > > I can’t boycott a store if I never go there already. Well, now you’re doubly screwed–not only do you have to watch the ad, but you can’t punish the company for your decision to do so. Really, the premise of this thread is ridiculous. It’s not as though TV ads are morally obligated to provide you with a pleasant experience–and anyway, they’re ALL annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/57 "2012-01-29T05:49:53Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > I just watched the ad linked in the OP, and it doesn’t say anything about a new pricing plan. All it says at the end is “Enough is enough” and the date 2/1/2012, plus the JC Penney Facebook URL. So it doesn’t even do what it’s purporting to do. It’s a terrible ad. Not really, because what it’s “purporting to do” isn’t really the point. > [@DMark](#): > > …as you have seen from this thread, it is certainly getting the attention they wanted. And that’s the real goal. Essentially, if you know the ad is for JCPenney, then “mission accomplished.” Your subconscious will do the rest. Unless and until JCPenney has evidence that a boycott is having a measurable effect, I expect their reaction to the boycott letters will be “All right! We’re getting our name into their minds!” ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/58 "2012-01-29T15:39:23Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Essentially, if you know the ad is for JCPenney, then “mission accomplished.” Your subconscious will do the rest. > > Unless and until JCPenney has evidence that a boycott is having a measurable effect, I expect their reaction to the boycott letters will be “All right! We’re getting our name into their minds!” I always argued with this point. I understand that the company (JCP in this instance) wants their name to be number one in your head (yay positioning!!!), and for you to pay attention to them…but not in a negative way. I would hesitate to believe that the head of JCP is Mr. Burn’s-ing and saying “excellent” because we are paying so much attention to their ad by excoriating it and saying how much we hate it. As a PR graduate I don’t believe in “there is no such thing as bad press” ---
**Author:** ![Ruffian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71e660/32.png) [@Ruffian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruffian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/59 "2012-01-29T16:03:41Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Well, now you’re doubly screwed–not only do you have to watch the ad, but you can’t punish the company for your decision to do so. Naw, I’d have to care enough to want to punish them in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824/60 "2012-01-29T17:54:03Z")
You know, JC Penney has pretty much never been on my radar, yet now it is (while I write this). So maybe someone out there knows something… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/j-c-penneys-screaming-ad-want-to-boycott/610824.md?page=4)