Response to Aubrey

Is marketing to blame for this increase in consumer spending and increase in personal debt? Or should we hold people accountable for their own decisions whether that is to spend their money or not?


Both are to blame. People who are acquiring debt in order to purchase items they don't need have to be held responsible. However, marketing needs to take responsibility for their part in it as well. Turn on your TV for five seconds and you will see large priced items being pushed at you... but for a "sale" price of course. Marketers are using sales to try and convince people that if they don't buy this item NOW then they won't be able to get it for the price they want. But regardless of whether the item is on sale or not certain consumers can't afford it. It is a vicious cycle that needs end. I agree with Aubrey that marketers are targeting consumers who don't have the income knowing that they may buy it regardless of whether they can afford it. This is both the marketers fault and the consumers fault for allowing themselves to spend money they don't have. 


Can you think of a solution for this issue? Perhaps government regulation? 

The Cool Kid

This weekend, like most college students, I watched a few TV episodes on Hulu.com. For those of you who don't know on Hulu your episode is interrupted a few times by advertisements. The advertisement that caught my eye was one for the Toyota Highlander that starred a young child in nice clothing completely dismayed at what he had to drive around in, an old mini van. It then shows him jumping in a brand new Toyota Highlander that one of his friends' parents owned and him exclaiming how classy it is compared to his own family vehicle.

This is an excellent example of how marketing is some what responsible for "competitive spending". They are constantly feeding consumers this idea of "bigger is better" and "keeping up with the Gates'". This is affecting each and everyone of us. Especially if we are direct victims of competitive spending. I know I have purchased certain items that I didn't need simply because I was pressured into doing it. We are spending money we do not have and borrowing money that is simply not necessary to borrow.

This commercial also is an excellent example of "new consumerism". New consumerism is the idea that we no longer just want comfort, we want luxury too. The little boy couldn't simply be happy that his family owned a vehicle he wanted the next step up... luxury a.k.a a Toyota Highlander. Marketers are continually pushing this concept at its' consumers in hopes that they will spend more and more.

Are you a victim of competitive spending and new consumerism? Do you think that marketing can be held responsible for these ideas and issues?