Hello all.
Although this will probably disrail this discussion a little I think you have made some very valid points that need some discussion.
I have always wondered why comparitive/competitive advertising has not been allowed in this country. I for one would love to see an ad that highlights the different problems with different products so I can make an informed decision. In the current advertising scenario you have to read as much into what is not being sold as what is being sold. Why can't some expensive german car manufacturer not say that it has "this" which is not offered in the other one. Now you would have to go and see if the other one offers "it" and if "it" does is "it" of the same quality.
I myself thoroughly enjoyed a german ad showing BMs being delivered by a Merc truck. I am sure that if Sentech were allowed to make direct reference to for eg the crappy Telkom call centre it would force Telkom to invest intelligent thought and resources in improving the problem. The ostrich who sticks his head in the sand comes to mind, ie you dont see the problem therefore it must not exist.
And here I must give some concession to Telkom, they are not alone in this matter. Imagine if banks could compare transaction costs in the media, ie ABSA having to handle FNB telling everyone that that their bank charges are 60% less for example. True competition in an open market economy, we can only dream. Polititions could highlight each other's blunders which cost this country millions every year.
The counter is also true where Telkom could highlight the high ping times that Sentech gets so no gamer is going to accidently get Sentech and only afterwards discover that it is no good for online gaming.
I have personal experience of buying a volkswagen which I guess had fallen of a truck or something. The first time it rained the inside was a swimming pool, the central locking stopped working after 3 months, the computer chip burnt out and feul were spewing from the carb after 4 months. Every time VW South Africa fixed it, but it seems only to get it fixed enough to get the car out of the warrenty period.
I guess what I am trying to get to is that there is no accountability in South Africa. Everyone is thinking "How can I get away with something to make money." instead of "How can I deliver a product/service which will keep my client happy." And in cases where they dont "get away" with it, it becomes a challenge to see who has the biggest law firm and the most expensive lawayers to protect them.
So Telkom can spew any kind of crap on their advertising knowing well that if anyone were to act or contest the legality or validity they are are well entrenched behind ASA/ICASA/De Loitt and Touche. By the time anyone can actually do anything about it, millions of people have stepped into the product only to discover it is not what it was advertised at and now you have a 24 month water tight contract(ala Sentech).
Just my musings.[
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Of course I don't look busy.....I did it right the first time.
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