When I come across one of those little “drop card” ads that look like someone has dropped a $100 bill on the ground, I promise myself never to do business with that company. Such false positives are common. Sleestak of “Lady, That’s My Skull,” discusses the opposite deceptive advertising tactic, the false negative.
One of the tactics to trick the public into noticing an ad or promotion is what I term the False Negative.
The False Negative is becoming more pervasive over the last several years and violates one of my rules when it comes to purchasing: If a lie is needed to get me to purchase a product then I will never, ever buy it.
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I initially noticed it a few years ago while gassing up my car. The pump beeps with a descending tone, the opposite of the usual higher-pitching rising and happier sound of a successful transaction, prompting me to investigate by looking at the pump display screen. Where one would expect a message reminding me to choose a grade of gas instead would be an advertisement for refreshments or a car wash. This is a tactic in up-selling I expect that will decrease in effectiveness over time… One could only cry wolf only so many times before it is ignored.