There are so many t.v. commercials that announce that. If you want it, you either have to call the number to order it with a credit card, or you have to send away to the address on the screen. I’ve seen this mostly for music.
Wouldn’t they sell more if the item was available in stores? What is the reason or purpose for this?
I always figure it’s a marketing gimmick. If I saw the album “Relive the '80s” being advertised on TV for $20, then I would say to myself, I’ll go down to Tower Records and get it for $15!
But if I see a collection of songs I really want, and it’s only available on TV, I just might pick up the phone.
(disclaimer: I use “I” in the generic sense. I have never purchased something ‘not available in stores’ after seeing an inane television advertisement.)
The main problem with selling things in stores is that you have to get the stores to purchase them. You could advertise, but there is no gurantee that stores would carry it. Television is an excellent medium for selling products that most store don’t think they’d sell enough of to carry.
They pitch the “not sold in stores” line to create pressure, you’d better write down that number ow and call, because who knows when the nest time you’ll see the comercial is.
THe internet is starting to take over a lot of that kind of advertizing. For instance did you know that you could order The Monkees Headquarters Recording Sessions from Rhino Handmade Records. Supplies are limited!!! Order NOW!!!
Limited editions or “supplies are limited” are another pressure tactict used to move things that might not sell as well, or at all.
This thread was accidently started twice (actually, three times but the board is slow today, so watcha gonna do?). I’ll close this copy and direct people to it’s sister, here.