I always see “sales event” or rather “SALES EVENT!!!” in regard to car commercials on TV. This really isn’t a sale is it? where they are actually offering cars at reduced prices?
I suspect there is some law that requires them to have reduced prices to be able to call it a “sale.” but if they call it a “sales event” then it’s not a sale and they don’t have to offer reduced prices.
So is a “sales event” really a sale or is it a sham? If I’m wrong and it really is a sale…my question becomes; Why do they call it a sales event and not just “sale.”
I hope this is clear, my coffee hasn’t kicked in yet
Well yeah, that’s what I’m thinking, but I want to know for sure…
“Sale-a-bration” “sales event” etc. why is it never only “sale”?
I think its because it would be against some law to call it a sale without actually lowering the price.
So they call it “sale-a-bration” or whatever so they are not breaking the law, but are still misleading people to think they’ve actually lowered the price.
Unfortunately, I don’t know for sure, and was hoping someone would have the straight dope on it.
Surely, there are ex car salespeople here? or consumer protection types of something.
I have a sneaking feeling “Sales Event” is just car-salesman-ese for “sale.” They need to have a little more imagination. If the guys behind Homestar Runner can come up with the Seniorial Day Tent Event Supra Sale, surely real salesmen can think up something better.
Do car dealers really have “sales” (other than clearance season, that is)? Considering that the salesmen aren’t really required to stick to the MSRP or higher in the first place, and often don’t, it seems like the kind of sale that small-ticket retailers have doesn’t apply.
You might be on to something. However, the phrase “event” seems to be a big fad in marketing lately. Look at all the TV shows who seem to have a “2-hour EVENT” every other week in order to drum up viewership. I assumed that car dealers are using the same technique, but maybe there’s more to it.
They clearly never NEVER NEVER say “on sale” or just “sale”; and seem to go to some gymnastics to avoid those terms. To the point that I’m suspicous they are trying to circumvent some advertisement law.
I think it’s more than just an advertising gimmick. Because they ALL use the term “sales event”. If it was an advertising gimmick I would expect this term would not be commonly used by competing dealers.
If they’re like most places and their sales events, the pants you want are $32 through out the year. But during the “sales event”, the “original sticker” will say $42, sale price $29. I can’t prove they’re doing this, but it sure seems like it.
Advertising hype has associated the word sale with the implication that there’s a discounted price involved. But technically a sale is any transaction of a product for money. Even if you buy a $25,000 car for $30,000, it’s still a sale.
And by the same logic, I guess a sales event is a place where individual sales occur. Or at least are being offered. I suppose a business could have a sales event but end up with no customers and no sales.