Have you ever actually bought anything because of an advert?
Posted by JSHU16@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 201 comments
Given it's one of the top things on various UK subs that people complain about, it got me thinking about how I can't actually recall ever having bought something due to advertising. It mostly just pisses me off and puts me off the company.
My only exception would probably be the dancing transformer on the old Citroen C4 adverts. I picked my driving instructor purely because they had that car.
MrBigJams@reddit
You'll have bought more things due to adverts that you're aware of.
KeyLog256@reddit
My main comment was I try to actively avoid things because of adverts. For quite a while, getting car or home insurance was a ballache because I had to avoid Compare The Market and GoCompare and I think Confused too.
Generally I'd like to think I buy a product because it's either the most common one, the cheapest, a review is good, or in the case of technology, is within spec and has good reviews/is reliable.
However, I'm not against the idea I'm buying things because of adverts, and with your help would actually like to work out what, if anything, I've bought recently or indeed historically, because of ads.
somerandomnew0192783@reddit
One of the primary purposes of ads isn't to make you immediately go and buy the thing. By seeing the brand name all over the place it's present in your mind subconsciously, and that makes you more likely to recognise it when you go to purchase one of X things and thus buy it.
KeyLog256@reddit
Yeah I know that, and I'm struggling to think of an example where I've done this.
I'm even trying to go through stuff in my head that I own to work out if there's an example, and can't find any.
BeatificBanana@reddit
It isn't conscious, which is why you're struggling to think of an example. Hardly anyone thinks "I need a new xyz, oh I saw an advert for this brand the other day, I'll buy that one". It's way more subtle than that. It creates brand awareness. It's almost subliminal. You probably won't be able to come up with an example because you won't be aware you've made a decision based on advertising, you might not even remember having seen an ad for it at all.
KeyLog256@reddit
Well I did agree with that, and kept trying to come up with examples but came unstuck. I was a bit shocked and suggested it might be ignorance. But like I say, the downvotes rule all, not for me to question it.
BeatificBanana@reddit
You come across as absolutely insufferable
KeyLog256@reddit
On Reddit, absolutely.
That still isn't answering my question though.
knotatwist@reddit
Which brand of washing up liquid/dishwasher tablets do you use? Do you have a preferred fragrance? Shampoo? Trusted brand of car/electronics/ketchup?
You probably know of those brands/have some faith to try them in the first place because of advertising.
CPH3000@reddit
Whichever brand is on offer at Tesco (my nearest supermarket) when I go.
KeyLog256@reddit
I'm confused now though, because as I've said all along I'm sure that I'm right and there must be things I'm buying based on adverts.
But judging by the downvotes people obviously think that isn't the case. So maybe I'm just not influenced at all by ads.
Odd.
As for your questions -
Washing powder - random really. Avoid the cheap stuff because it can have a nasty smell, just grab whichever seems the best offer that isn't so cheap it'll be like washing clothes in caustic soda.
Washing up liquid - own brand. No point buying branded stuff, it's all the same!
Dishwasher - don't have one (annoyingly!) but would just use own brand.
Fragrance - leave it to the wife. Got a few at the moment, we'll just try loads then find one that "suits" me and I'll pick it up next time I'm at the airport, which is quite often.
Shampoo - bald. Maybe I should have spent more on shampoo....
Car - drive a VW but was just the best lease option for the spec I needed. No real brand loyalty there, they've never even been in F1 so not bias due to that.
Electronics - varies. Depends on what I'm buying. I use Nikon and Sony cameras, but would have no issue with Canon/Panasonic/Blackmagic/Arri (I wish I had the money for the latter!)
Ketchup - own brand, same for all sauces. See my supermarket one.
Like I say, I was sure there must be something, but given the downvotes I assume not.
knotatwist@reddit
I've not downvoted you to be clear!
Would you still buy the same brands/lack thereof if you won the euromillions (let's assume you were given a lucky ticket)
If there are brands that you would switch to if money were no object then you have still been influenced!
I used to feel very similarly to you and was super price focused rather than trying anything more luxurious. Then I got a better paying job and had more disposable income and started buying more branded items either where I thought the quality was better or where I couldn't be faffed searching for the cheapest one and can see the more expensive one (at eye level, which brands pay for in the supermarket)
Take tea for example. I like Yorkshire tea and buy that brand. It's not the cheapest and I am not fussy enough to think I wouldn't also enjoy a cheaper brand. But it's always available and I don't have to think about it, so I get that instead of shopping around. I started buying it because the advertising and marketing and recommendations said it was the best, but I didn't actually check if it was strictly true or not.
I wonder if any of this applies to you
KeyLog256@reddit
Downvote away if you want- you've responded, that's the important bit. That nulls out the downvote because you have explained why.
Good questions -
Probably yes, would depend on my mood. I'd possibly just buy the most expensive stuff on sale and see if I noticed the difference.
Unless there's some secret supermarket for the rich and famous I don't know about, I could afford to buy the most expensive stuff in any major chain supermarket now. I just feel it's a waste of money
somerandomnew0192783@reddit
It could be literally anything branded you own, and you won't necessarily be able to identify it, which is kind of the point.
KeyLog256@reddit
I'm really struggling, it's driving me mad now! Everything I can think of has a decent "that wasn't advertising" explantion.
Worth noting too, I don't watch TV "live", I don't listen to the radio "live" unless it's work related, and I have very comprehensive ad blocking on all devices, which I'm amazed others don't.
I still see non-intrusive advertising of course. I love F1 for example, but just looking back at some videos from yesterdays GP for example, I see sponsorship on the track and the cars for multiple brands.
Check this out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv-D_6SIp4k
Advertising galore! But a few bits I can't afford (Aston Martin, Rolex), few bits I know of but think their products are crap (Lenovo, Motorola, MSC Cruises), and most of it I'm not even sure what it is (BWT, Salesforce, Stake, Moneygram, Oracle, Bybit), some I know what it is but you can't "buy" it, like Petronas or Aramco.
Steve8557@reddit
For me it’s hard to untangle advertising and ‘brand reputation’ so if I go to buy a kitchen product I’ve heard of Ninja and may buy their stuff based on that etc
KeyLog256@reddit
Kitchen products, I'd struggle without looking to tell you what brand they are in my house.
It's mainly a mix-mash though. Bought a new washer and fridge in the past few years, just got the cheapest of both that matched the spec I needed. If it's the right size, a fridge is a fridge, a washer is a washer.
jiggjuggj0gg@reddit
And how did you search through the different washers?
CPH3000@reddit
KeyLog256@reddit
Can't remember now, but lets say mine broke now and I needed another one asap.
Just done a search for "washing machines" on Google, Curry's is first. Maybe that's being influenced by ads? Either way, they're as good as anything else and they'll deliver when they say they will - again, brand loyalty due to experience, not ads.
Price, low to high. I know Logik are shit because a mate had two break on him. I'd also prefer silver because of the kitchen colour scheme. Cheapest silver one, Hoover. Quick click through, seems fine. Nearly 2000 reviews and 4.5 stars so no one is faking those. I'd buy it right now if I needed it.
Incidentally looking on the second result, John Lewis, the same machine is the cheapest grey/silver one.
somerandomnew0192783@reddit
Evidently F1 advertising isn't targeting people without loads of money
KeyLog256@reddit
Lenovo and Motorola for example are cheap, but I they don't make high end computers or phones. I didn't even know Motorola was still a brand for consumers. The only time I see it nowadays is radios when I'm working events, and that's because they're industry standard. Can't even find another brand of licenced two-way radio doing a quick search.
Dutch_Slim@reddit
Just on this one…maybe Motorola provides the in-car comms for F1?
KeyLog256@reddit
Probably, but I'm just not sure what they're advertising for.
CPH3000@reddit
Oh I think they are.
I believe they've been mislead about the power of advertising.
somerandomnew0192783@reddit
Yeah you're right, obviously all of these huge companies are wrong when they see that spending X on advertising increases sales by Y.
The years and years of evidence to the contrary is obviously incorrect.
Teembeau@reddit
I actively go against advertised products by this logic: if there's a luxuriously advertised version, there's almost certainly a non-advertised version, or less glossily advertised version that will be cheaper.
And anything that's really high quality doesn't need to advertise.
CPH3000@reddit
"Advertising is so good you don't even know you didn't want it before you saw the advert"
What a load of rubbish.
I'm convinced advertising is a complete scam - but it's the advertisers being conned.
Why am I shown the same adverts hundreds of times without me ever interacting with it? If I were the advertiser I'd be furious I was paying for that.
Google has a profile on the things I'm interested in yet seldom serves up an advert relevant to my interests. I would like to know about things I'm interested in. If Google thinks it knows me so well it can serve me up something I've never shown an interest in and I'll suddenly interact with it, well it's sorely mistaken so far.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
I get most of my stuff from eBay, Facebook marketplace or charity shops so very little has gone into a corporation's pockets.
I think my last new big spend from an advert was a Ninja Foodi about 4 years ago.
KeyLog256@reddit
Although according to the downvotes on your reply there, you're actually not influenced by adverts much at all.
Which is wildly confusing and quite bizarre.
jiggjuggj0gg@reddit
I’m really confused why you keep going on that downvotes means someone isn’t influenced by adverts? What are you on about?
KeyLog256@reddit
Because generally downvotes, without response mean a person is correct but for some bizarre reason, other people don't like it and can't admit to it (no idea why in this case, it isn't a political discussion so I've no idea why people are being cowardly about it) so they just try to hide it.
Like I say, it's bizarre in this instance. Why would people be so desperate to supress any hint or allegation that some people might not be influenced much by ads?
Like I also say, I was fully of the belief that it is impossible not to be influenced by ads, but now I'm being downvoted too for saying I can't think of anything, my mind is changed on this.
LoveBeBrave@reddit
A lot of the time downvotes just mean that you’re making a tit of yourself mate.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
My original reply boasted about how I buy most things second hand but I completely forgot about paying for food and services, and the fact that advertising could still prompt me to buy things, even if it's second hand.
KeyLog256@reddit
Granted, but why would people downvote you, without replying, for saying "Actually, I am influenced by ads after all!"
Downvoting without response generally suggests a person is right and the downvoters have no comeback/retort.
theabominablewonder@reddit
How often do you buy branded products vs unbranded or unfamiliar products? For example, in your weekly food shop?
KeyLog256@reddit
I can answer this, with good intentions because as above, I'm trying to actively see what I've bought because of ads without knowing.
Shop at Tesco because its nearest, but if I'm driving back from somewhere to the south of me and need to go on the way home, I'll go to Asda because that's nearest/on the way. I have no loyalty to either.
Going through your standard supermarket shop in my head -
Dairy (milk, cheese, cream, etc) - supermarket own brand, just not the real dirt cheap economy stuff because it can often be crap quality from experience.
Meat - supermarket own brand stuff. I don't think you can get "branded" meat outside of sausages can you? Even then, I know I'm a charlatan, but I prefer cheap sausages because the meat is "smoother". Yes it has bread or whatever in it, but hey, carbs are carbs!
Cereals - own brand. Rare these days a "known brand" is nicer in taste. I remember the days own-brand cereals tasted like cardboard.
Pasta - own brand. Pasta is pasta. Even top chefs say dry store-bought pasta isn't much different to fresh home-made pasta and WAY less of a ball-ache. Occasionally I might buy a branded one just because I need a thicker spaghetti or a certain type that isn't available in the own brand.
Sauces/herbs/spices (both cooking sauces and table sauces) - again, own brand. An exception might be something like San Merzano tomatoes because you can't get them aside from specific brands, and normally not in most UK supermarkets. Again, I remember when own-brand mayo was watery and tasted slightly like paint. Nowadays its fine.
Bread (and bread-y type products) - own brand, though I do like Warburton's Toastie because I tried it at a mate's house years ago and loved how thick and "pure" (read - bland) it was. I don't think I've ever seen it advertised so I don't think that's an influence there. Again, might have to buy branded stuff like potato cakes because there's no own-brand.
Eggs - don't think you can even get branded eggs can you?
Chocolate/sweets/crisps/etc - more often branded, but only because I've tried them before and know I like them. Some brands I know actively refuse to buy because they've ruined the taste/texture. Looking at you whoever-makes-Fruit-Pastilles.
Soft drinks - Coca Cola. I have tried own brand colas and some are OK. But this is purely on taste. I generally stick to water though.
Alcohol - I'm a total charlatan when it comes to beer too. Which ever brand name is on a good offer. Don't often buy it though.
Shit-wipe - own brand.
Toiletries - generally own brand. Often for body wash, shaving foam, face scrub, face cleanser, face toner, moisturiser, etc I'll just got to Boots and pick the most expensive one. Razors I use any branded one because cheap ones slice you up. I do hate buying any branded razors because the two major players - Gillette and Wilkinson Sword, are on my "death list" due to advertising during F1 races back when they were on ITV. But sometimes it's a hard choice between that or slice your face to bits.
Medicines/vitamins - always own-brand. Total waste of money and a placebo buying branded medications.
I think that's about it for supermarkets. What's next?
MrBigJams@reddit
You'd probably be in a brand segmentation as a low value customer - not everybody will have the same level of value to a brand as people make different types of decisions.
There will be some things you're buying as a result of advertising, obviously I don't know everything you own and every purchase you make - but stuff like your coke preference is to some degree formed by advertising. The complex mesh of what humans do and don't like isn't just based around some inherent quality in the product - advertising, and brand recognition - in effect convinces you that you like things. The way the brain works is very complex, with many aspects of choice being down to things we're not even aware of.
What fast food restaurants do you go to, for example? What car do you drive? All this stuff will be more implicitly informed by the content you've consumed, as well as the explicit adverts, than you realise.
KeyLog256@reddit
See my other replies in this thread.
I was absolutely convinced that what you're saying is right, that I must be buying things based on ads. But see the downvotes I'm getting when I questioned this - no responses either.
I'm presumably not really influenced by ads at all and am very much a low value customer.
People have asked on car, no influence there. Fast food - you name it, I'll have probably tried it.
MrBigJams@reddit
You're buying all your food and drink second hand?!?
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
Haha I hadn't considered that.
I usually go to whatever supermarket I'm nearest to at the time.
If it comes down to consistent choice it tends to be Lidl.
MissingLink101@reddit
Lidl have adverts too.
DW_555@reddit
I'd be more concerned about their choice of bog roll.
TherealPreacherJ@reddit
The only thing I can think of is a Suri toothbrush, but that was more because there was a voucher for one in my estate agent's welcome box, and I coincidentally needed a new electric toothbrush.
Other than that, no. If I don't need it, I don't buy it. And most adverts are too shit these days to cause anything but curmudgeonly annoyance/resentment for me if not active disdain (looking at you, Gambling and Investment adverts).
Trishshirt5678@reddit
Chocolate.
OriginalPlonker@reddit
I buy stuff based on FB ads if they seem useful, but I always get things at least 50% cheaper because I go to eBay for them.
MrLanguageRetard@reddit
Because an ad persuaded me? No. Because an ad enlightened me to the existence of something (e.g. club nights, that a new game was out, that a new restaurant had opened, etc.)? Absolutely.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
The one thing I wish I saw more of is local event advertising. I always get them in my news feed after they've happened.
mad119@reddit
As someone who used to organise those kinds of events, we wish you saw them a lot more often too! Unfortunately it’s all due to social media algorithms not pushing them as interesting enough for you. Engage with the people who organise the events and you’ll see more of their stuff pop up. The more people engage with a post the more it gets pushed to other people to see too
Teembeau@reddit
I had an idea a while ago for an events search engine. Roughly speaking, as a venue you'd be able to upload your events in an excel workbook and they'd get loaded into a searchable database by name, date, type of event and a link to the event page on a website.
Would that work for people who run venues? I would want to start with something simple, so uploading a spreadsheet would be the simple thing. What do you think?
mad119@reddit
In theory it’s a great way for people to search for events to go to, but it would only work if people were actively looking for an event to go to. Often times they just want the kind of thing they’re interested in to land on their feed as they doom scroll on Facebook.
There’s a similar thing for people who run workshops called classbento, and it works great for people who are actively looking for say, a cooking class. They type in location and what kind of class they want and classbento provides options for you to buy from. That’s only likely to provide a very small percentage of their overall sales though, people still need to advertise a wide variety of places as most people don’t actively use classbento to look for workshops to go to - they’ll see a social media post advertising the cooking class and think that looks like a nice idea, let’s do it.
Teembeau@reddit
What if it emailed or notified people?
mad119@reddit
Again, it’s a nice idea, but I’d worry that people would ignore the emails. People already ignored all the emails we would send them after they subscribed to our mailing list!
It is genuinely a nice idea, I just think the people who would use it are the kind that already actively look for things to go to. It might make it easier for them to find events that suit them which is a positive
Teembeau@reddit
The big thing is to try and target them. Not by venue, but more event type.
quellflynn@reddit
headfirst
Breakwaterbot@reddit
Ads absolutely have persuaded you to buy something. Some are just better at doing it without you realising.
jiggjuggj0gg@reddit
Everyone thinks they’re immune to advertising, but then ask them to name 5 washing powder brands and they’ll be able to tell you… because they were advertised.
The best advertising is stuff that doesn’t even make you realise you were advertised to. The other type is the annoying repetitive adverts that everyone swears will stop them from ever using it - but it’s the only one you can remember when you end up needing the product/service.
Then there’s search engine advertising, which will direct where you go to look at the products you’re definitely not being advertised to buy.
And then the most insidious is hidden marketing in places like Reddit and Reels, which often won’t look like an advert but just so happens this guy found X product really great and is totally just a Normal Guy™️ recommending it, you can trust him!
BeatificBanana@reddit
I might be the exception to your "everyone can name 5 washing powder brands" 😂 I'm honestly struggling to think of any! Daz? Is that still around? Fairy came to mind, but I think that might actually be washing up liquid
shizzler@reddit
Ariel, Persil, Bold
Llancymru@reddit
This is true for me. I don’t tend to buy much, and I don’t often enjoy watching ads, but I am constantly waiting for a new product or service that actually applies to me. Very rarely happens but when it does it’s often a good moment.
chabybaloo@reddit
Yes. There's a "deal" website that i have set as my home page.
It basically all ads, cleverly disguised as deals. People can discuss the contents of the deals, so its not that bad.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
Hukd? It's the first thing I check every morning
chabybaloo@reddit
Yup.
They obviously make deals with certain companies. It's not a bad thing.
Lazy_Industry_6309@reddit
No I purposefully ignore adverts.
pr2thej@reddit
Look at it this way - how many purchases do you make from brands that don't advertise.
Gasblaster2000@reddit
Absolutely loads. In fact the only ads I really see are the annoying YouTube ones which are universally for crap I'd never be interested in. When I do the food shop I buy based on price and what it looks like when km actually looking at it
Only time ads cause a purchase is if km going to watch a film or okay a game I k ow of through an ad.
explax@reddit
Yes, stuff off Instagram.
Real23Phil@reddit
I can't remember the last tv advert I saw, likely ITV for an England game. I don't watch or have a TV and don't get ads on my PC, some extension clearly does it's job. Most I notice is sponsored ads on Amazon or Reddit. I'm too disabled to be out and about seeing them. Also this is my only 'social media' account as well as YT so I'm really not exposed to much.
shannikkins@reddit
Large/expensive items? Never.
I might be influenced towards something but I'll always check reviews and comparisons before deciding.
Some ads have made me not buy stuff though.
mcintg@reddit
Pretty sure most people think they haven't but actually have.
ofjune-x@reddit
Even the packaging design of a product is advertising in a way. Like food, cereal boxes are an advert for the product it’ll probably have an image of the product on it designed to look appealing. It might have buzzwords or key info etc.
OkSir4079@reddit
Yes.
Lipstick for men !
Damm you Joey Tribbiani.
Happylittlecultist@reddit
McDonald's. They had some cheap 3 items for £3 deal going earlier in the year. If I hadn't seen the advertising I wouldn't have gone in.
Do cinema tickets count.
Also didn't have a 360 at the time but if I did I definitely would have got fall out new Vegas at the time with all the ads on TV
ramapyjamadingdong@reddit
I just have to say I'm thinking about x to my husband and I'll be bombarded by ads for that that thing online.
knight-under-stars@reddit
There are two types of people in this world.
Those that acknowledge they have been influenced by advertising and people who are lying to themselves.
20127010603170562316@reddit
I'm just not exposed to ads at all really.
I have piHole on my network, ublock on my computer, sponsorblock on youtube, and don't watch TV or listen to the radio.
And I shop in Aldi, which don't contain many products that would be advertised in general.
When I have seen ads, sometimes they're repeated so often that it actively turns me off the product.
I remember trying to watch a film a few years back, and every fifteen minutes was an ad for some sort of wild west movie by Seth McFarlane. Sometimes there were two of the same ads in the same block! I usually like his stuff, but to date I've not seen it, purely because I got so pissed off at those ads.
superkinks@reddit
I’m glad you’ve said that because my first thought when I read the title was “yes, of course”. I couldn’t even count the things I’ve bought because I saw an advertisement, absolutely loads throughout my life.
knight-under-stars@reddit
And even if someone has not bought the specific product being advertised they will have been influenced by the advertising.
Langeveldt@reddit
I have a Standard Bank bank account in South Africa purely because they sponsored the cricket in the nineties 😂
Mop_Jockey@reddit
A couple of times, I don't watch TV so get adverts via social media.
I wouldn't say any of the gimmicky adverts hooked me in, but they might just make me aware of something. Like I recently bought a mini tooldbox, the advert was literally a picture of a minitoolbox saying look at this mini toolbox and I thought "that looks fun".
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
Link? I love stuff like that.
I must say I always sideways scroll through the Screwfix and Amazon ones on Facebook because they've presumably got all my data so the products are hyper targeted.
That boxer company with the anti chafe panels has come close to getting my money a few times since I'm a fat lad
Mop_Jockey@reddit
https://www.sealey.co.uk/search?q=mini+toolbox
It's the mini toolbox with single drawer, product code differs depending on colour. It's about the size of a big lunch box or jewellery box.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
Sealey does make good stuff
Mop_Jockey@reddit
Aye you don't really hear anything bad about them but people also don't rave on about them like with snap-on etc.
I have a little Sealy socket set AK8945 I keep with my on my motorbike and it's a decent bit of kit.
mylovelyhorsie@reddit
I serviced my old R1150GS on the side of a road in Hungary using something very much like that 👍👍
Mop_Jockey@reddit
It's a handy wee kit for sure and half the price of the were toolcheck plus.
Petrichor_ness@reddit
Me too! Bought loads of 'rubbish' after being retargeted. All from brands I'd never heard of but turned out to be great products mostly.
I work in digital marketing so I understand how audience profiling and segmentation works and lookalike audiences - I really should know better but as many people in this thread have already pointed out, all our subconsciousness are slaves to the psychological ticks of consumerism!
schaweniiia@reddit
I ate the McRib the other day for the first time because of an advert. It was better than expected tbh, but still not worth the money.
Djinjja-Ninja@reddit
I have bought things that have popped up on my Facebook feed before.
Obviously not from the places that are selling them on facebook of course, I go and find it direct on Aliexpress for a fraction of the price that someone is drop shipping them for.
For instance, this latop stand, they wanted £63 for it, AliExpress directly, £17.
Or the Raven Lamp which I still often see advertised for over £100. IIRC I got 2 for £20 from Ali.
BeatificBanana@reddit
I'm the opposite. I get adverts for Ali Express, Shein, Temu, etc all the time. If I see a product that looks interesting I'll go and find it somewhere else even if I have to pay more. Refuse to put my money into that kind of website
Djinjja-Ninja@reddit
But that's where whoever you buy it from will be getting it from in the first place (especially with Ali), so you're still (indirectly) putting money into the websites and essentially paying someone to order them from china for you.
Time-Cover-8159@reddit
Advert for Etsy featuring a pair of earrings on Facebook. Clicked on the Etsy ad and since its largely drop shippers now, searched for the earrings from the cheapest UK seller.
JoinMyPestoCult@reddit
Buying something directly because of one advert? Rarely. But I products I know about. And usually know them from advertising.
But do adverts sometimes put me off a product? If it’s annoying enough, maybe. Like I vowed never to buy Berocca because their old ads annoyed me. Flash adverts are always annoying but I still use them.
BeatificBanana@reddit
By contrast, I absolutely love the Flash adverts with the dog (they're the only adverts I'll actually unmute the tele to watch) but I've never actually bought a Flash product because own brand cleaners are cheaper 😂
MulberryLemon@reddit
I saw Jack Johnsons first album on a television advert and bought it straight away, I was not disappointed with my choice lol
Apidium@reddit
Idk but I do know I will never buy a calgon product purely because I hate their slogan jingle living rent free in my head for years.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
Any cleaning product is just generic chemicals anyway so non branded will work just fine
Apidium@reddit
Well yes but unless you are getting some really basic stuff each company has its own different blends and shit.
Laundry stuff for me for instance. I can only have one specific companies non bio sensitive stuff. Eveything else itches like something else. It's thankfully an acceptable price so I have not looked into what exact ingredients are the problem ones but if it goes nuts I will have too.
I know some folks who swear up and down certain dishwasher tablets make their glassware 'squeaky' and it's a sensation they can't tolerate.
What things folks do or don't like varies. I can't stand the smell of lavander so if cheaper options are just in lavander I will pay more to buy literally anything else if I have too.
You can make your own cleaning products but it's really not something a lot of folks do.
kackers643259@reddit
The closest thing i can think of for a direct cause-and-effect was spotify promoting Floating Points to me, i thought it sounded good so i checked out the album, liked it, and bought the CD
I don't watch TV at all and use adblockers on my laptop so i don't tend to see many adverts in general, mostly signage outside (which is rarely for stuff i care about) and Facebook on my phone (which also never advertises stuff to me that I'm remotely interested in despite how much data i know it harvests). Not to say I'm immune to advertising obviously, nobody truly is, it's just hard to think of times that i have seen an advert and been interested in the product/service at all
kstaruk@reddit
I bought loop earplugs after seeing adverts for them and looking for reviews for them (knowing that some reviews were gifted products etc). I don't regret it at all
postmanpat84@reddit
Displate when I saw an ad before a video
Jolly_Constant_4913@reddit
Don't think so. But I do go off recommendations
PsychedelicPistachio@reddit
Definitely seen a dominoes/pizza but ad on tv on a Saturday night and thought fuck it more times than I care to admit
Rassilon182@reddit
Most recently the toothpaste I am using. But that was an ad that spoke to a specific problem I was having. Most advertising is subliminal and designed to influence you without you even noticing it’s doing it.
Im_officially_cooked@reddit
Yes you have you just refuse to recognise it. Something that you have bought to satisfy a pain or desire in your life was brought to you by some form of advertising.
boudicas_shield@reddit
This was back in the States, but I bought Cottonelle toilet roll because I liked the cute puppies in the ads. Then I moved to the UK, and now I buy Andrex toilet roll because they also have cute puppies on the packaging.
In fairness, I actually do also like both brands in terms of quality. But there are a lot of brands of quality toilet roll that all are more or less the same price, so you have to narrow it down somehow. Going by the cute advert seemed as good a reason as any.
kwaklog@reddit
I think it's alot more subtle than "see adverts, buy things" for example, you can position your brand in a market by advertising it as refined, rugged, free-wheeling etc.
I bought my car because I wanted one of them for years, but I can't say for certain that the adverts weren't an influence on that desire
KeyLog256@reddit
I drive a VW because they did the best finance offer for something that didn't have the horsepower of a lame Shetland Pont, and it hasn't gone wrong yet.
My "dream cars" are things like the Ariel Atom or a Ferrari (not sure on the model, there's a load I'd like!) and neither of them advertise. Even if you class placement in shows like Top Gear as "advertising" I still want one because it looked bloody amazing. Clarkson drove a Ford Focus onto a beach as part of a Royal Marine training exercise, and while that looked spectacular, I have no desire to drive a Ford Focus.
jiggjuggj0gg@reddit
You want a Ferrari despite not knowing what Ferrari you want because of the branding, which is a form of marketing/advertising.
KeyLog256@reddit
Marketing for sure. I like Ferraris because they're fast, made of carbon fibre, designed well, sporty, etc. I use Ferrari as an example - any similar car make/model would do just fine. Lambo, Zonda, Koeniggseg (or however you spell it....), etc.
And I'm saying the Ford Focus didn't look great - despite being used in a clever, very well shot, and incredibly daft but amusing film to promote it, featuring a stunning end piece, I still think it's a boxy looking example of "some car" made by people who care more about pension schemes than cars, and a few mates own one and the interior is drab as hell and the engine makes a hell of a lot of noise for not much return in speed, which makes me think its bad for the environment (even though it probably isn't as bad as it sounds).
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
What car?
I will say when they advertise the What Car of the years I do always then read up and have a look at them
PrestigiousTest6700@reddit
Yes, because I already wanted it, and they knew it.
Qyro@reddit
Absolutely. Everyone has. I’ve never seen an advert and immediately opened up my phone to go and buy it, but I have definitely chosen what to buy based on brand familiarity.
McRazz@reddit
J mother M flippin' L
pm_me_your_amphibian@reddit
Well, yes of course. I have also been persuaded to never ever use a company because I hate their adverts so much.
DifferentWave@reddit
Of course I have and so have you.
jiggjuggj0gg@reddit
It’s not even just that, but we have a recognition bias that essentially means the more we see something, the more we trust it, even if we vehemently believe otherwise.
You see it in the media and government messaging all the time, repeat something enough times and even if it directly goes against your own experience, you start to believe it.
That’s why so many places have adverts that aren’t even showcasing a product, just the brand. Like it or not, the more you see it, the more you see it as trustworthy, and it’ll be kept in the back of your mind to pop up next time you need that product/service.
If you’ve ever played the Logo Game you’ll see how all of us have an enormous amount of brand recognition taking up precious space in our brains.
Teawillfixit@reddit
Bloody m&s roast potato adverts at Christmas. I spend half December impulsively buying them because they look amazing but they are they actually kinda average, the see the advert, rinse and repeat.
Abject_Tumbleweed413@reddit
20 plus years ago, late one night, one of those infomercials came on. It was for a product that was like a hoover, the size of a hoover, the weight of a hoover, but it used steam. The Steam Buggy. It was green. I think it was £79. I didn't choose the accessory pack, even though the man on the phone said I would regret it. I often lay awake at night wondering if my life would be different if I had ordered that accessory kit.
rdxc1a2t@reddit
Only once have I seen an advert and instantly thought "I must buy that". It was a Polaroid camera, which felt like the perfect Christmas gift for my wife. She loved it.
Effective-Bar-6761@reddit
I’m personally bemused by the television adverts for ServiceNow. Who on earth is choosing a corporate workflow tool because of an ad they saw in between big bang theory and modern family? How does that fit into the procurement process?
Which goes to back up the theory that adverts aren’t focused on getting us to buy one thing there and then, but instead reinforcing brand awareness .
Teembeau@reddit
These sorts of ads (see also weird things like IBM advertising) are when they're near a demographic they like and when there's a cheap slot.
FunPie4305@reddit
Probably, but I will also go out of my way to not buy something promoted by particularly annoying adverts.
TheOnlyNadCha@reddit
I was searching for a meal prep service because I wanted a break from cooking. Started looking online but couldn’t decide, I just wasn’t sure, closed all the tabs. The next day Facebook advertised Frive (damn cookies) and that made me pull the trigger.
Honestly I enjoy it so I’m not mad at it, but it can be predatory for people who like certain things and are not particularly looking to buy. Their targeting tactics means you’ll be constantly tempted / feeling like you lack things or make you want this now even though you didn’t want it the day before. I’m not an online shopping person, but I can imagine how dissatisfied that could make someone feel on the long run. Constantly saying no to yourself, you know? It’s pushing to overconsumption and triggering addictions, they know it, and I resent that.
Teembeau@reddit
I've definitely bought products because the ad told me the product did something useful.
Beyond that, in terms of "you'll be cooler, get more shags" adverts, not since I was a teenager.
Notagelding@reddit
Advertising didn't affect me in my twenties but it sure does now at 43.
Martipar@reddit
Dove soap.
I had a lot of trouble finding things to clean myself with that didn't leave me itchy, i tried everything and one day i relented and tried Dove soap and it's great. It is also packaged in very little plastic which is always a bonus and it's dirt cheap.
I've tried all sorts including Simple and Carex but Dove is actually really good. I also found out it's good for my hair too but that was just out of necessity as I'd forgotten to take shampoo with me once and i only had a bar of soap. Though i say "soap" it's more like a solid block of shower gel but whatever, I like it.
TheOnlyNadCha@reddit
The Dove soap is GOAT. It’s the only branded product that my father buys ever since I got him to try it, and he suffers from psoriasis.
KeyLog256@reddit
Surely that's not because of the adverts then? I can't recall ever seeing an advert for Dove Soap, but I've used their body wash because I went through every brand in the supermarket for much the same reason, and found it was OK.
Now I use some expensive stuff from Boots and I honestly can't tell you the brand without looking. I'd certainly never seen it advertised. It just cost the most so I assumed it was good. It is.
Martipar@reddit
They have definitely advertised in my lifetime, but then again i remember Dreft adverts, their tagline was something like "it doesn't dry your skin like soap can." They also showed a litmus test demonstrating that it was pH neutral.
I'm sure if you look at YouTube you can find some of their old adverts.
DotCottonsHandbag@reddit
I remember those ads too, and also the Johnson’s pH 5.5 ones telling you that skin has a pH of 5.5. So I was very confused at Dove proudly showing that its soap was bang on pH 7.0.
TheOnlyNadCha@reddit
It’s also about drilling things into your mind as a child. Even if you don’t think you pay attention, hearing about a certain thing enough times will influence you to chose their product over the competitor later in life, just because of this feeling of familiarity. Not because you’ve heard “this is great” and took it at face value, but because you know it’s been around since childhood so you’re more likely to want to give it a try.
Runaroundheadless@reddit
Need something? Confused? Short on time? Recognise a brand. Buy it. Job done. That’s what advertising does to you.
kommanderkimbles@reddit
I bought a waddling duck toy for my little girl purely cause I watched the video of it waddling and quacking and decided we had to have it. No buyers remorse he's awesome.
DeadlyTeaParty@reddit
Kind of, though I do look at reviews from actual people to see how good it is.
meraii@reddit
I have bought many things because of adverts. Frimbdancyingva takeaway after seeing a kfc ad, to buying trousers/shapeware from targeted ads, games that look good based on ads, cleaning products, etc etc.
I'm easily influenced.
txteva@reddit
I'm terrible for seeing something random & shiny on a Facebook ad/video and wanting it.
However I do always research the websites and price check.
SickPuppy01@reddit
Even when it's through someone else's recommendation advertising has been at work. Firstly the people that pitched seeing the film were sold it at some point, be a trailer or marketing. That got them talking about it and eventually pulled you. I admit it's a bit of a stretch that scenario, but it kind of gets my point across.
Let's look at something more day to day like your favourite cereals. Everytime you go into a major store they are being advertised to you without actually being an advert. Cereal companies pay a fortune to have their cereals stocked at eye level. They don't want you searching the shelves in case you pick something cheaper from someone else. You may think you are just picking your favourite brand, but their advertising has prevented you from choosing a different brand. Just about everything you see at eye level, or on end caps is paid for advertising. Some would say it's marketing rather than advertising, but it's paid for product placement aka advertising.
Have a search for videos by Rory Sutherland. He is on YouTube, TikTok etc He is the vice chairman of Ogilvy and he gives some great down to earth talks on how marketing and advertising impacts our day to day to lives.
c0tch@reddit
Not on Reddit because I’m a bloke in my 30s and they keep advertising a woman with scabs on her legs and tights or a woman in a wheelchair with tights…
Either they think I’m likely to cross dress or the market for tights is huge for scabby legs or wheelchair users.
As for actual adverts 100%. Even stuff that’s less obvious like people playing games.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
I keep getting the tights advert too, it's better than Huel I guess
allthebeautifultimes@reddit
Uhm, yes, absolutely. And so have you, even if it was subconscious.
SickPuppy01@reddit
Ever bought a game or gone to see a movie because of a trailer? You've bought into an advert.
You may think you bought the game/ticket on the back of the reviews, but the chances are you read the review because of the trailer.
Do you prefer one brand over another in the supermarket? The chances are that habit started, and has been re-enforced by advertising
KeyLog256@reddit
Genuinely trying to think back on this, and no, I can't say I have!
SickPuppy01@reddit
How did you choose your games and movies?
KeyLog256@reddit
I'm not big into films (I know I sound more insane and odd by the second here!) and generally it's on someone else's recommendation.
Games I'm not big into either, don't really play games at all.
I suppose if we extend this to software I use though, that might give us more of a chance -
Photo editing - Lightroom, because it is industry standard and everyone uses it. Tried others but none quite as feature rich.
Video editing - Davinci Resolve, because it's Hollywood level and free.
Email - Thunderbird, because I searched for Outlook 365 alternatives and that was the closest I could get (still missing quite a few important features and should probably just pay for Office)
Word documents/spreadsheets - Google docs, because it's free and widely used.
Online "cloud" file storage - multiple ones largely based on price.
DJ software - Rekordbox, again because it is industry standard so you kind of have to.
I'll try and think of more though.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
Now that I think of it the Sensodyne adverts have got me
cmdrxander@reddit
I didn’t care for sensodyne for years, thought it was a waste of money!
Then I got sensitive teeth and thought I’d give it a go…
Now I’m not switching back.
littlepurplepanda@reddit
I once had a really shitty day, and then a Dominoes advert came on. So I ordered a Dominoes.
Flashbackhumour28@reddit
On a similar note, is anyone else being absolutely battered by Bearskin hoodie adverts? I'd rather wear my birthday suit rather than that junk marketed at the fragile masculinity brigade.
toby1jabroni@reddit
Ads are less about making you buy a product than they are about making you familiar with their brand. People are more likely to choose something they recognise (in general).
God I hate ads though, they really do absolutely nothing for society whatsoever, and they make things cost more to cover marketing.
Lazy_Industry_6309@reddit
No I purposefully ignore adverts.
allthingskerri@reddit
I've never purchased windows but I know I'd never pick safestyle because those adverts pissed me off 😅
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
I sadly did pick Safe style and had a nightmare, no windows in our extension for 3 months.
Had to pester the CEO on linkedin to get compensation before they went bust. Bargain in the end though I guess
allthingskerri@reddit
Id cry. Also didn't know they went bump
DrH1983@reddit
I've not seen an advert for something I had no interest in and then suddenly wanted it.
But that's not what adverts are for.
Let's say someone is considering a new TV. Let's say their budget is unlimited to make it easier. They may have seen countless TV adverts before but not bought anything immediately, but they'll be much more aware of the TV brands who've been advertising, even if they have only half watched the adverts.
And people are much more likely to choose a brand that's familiar due to advertising, then some random brand nobody has heard of. A well made advert can inspire confidence in a product (sometimes falsely, of course).
Ultimately, if advertising had no impact at all, companies would not spend a small fortune on marketing.
KeyLog256@reddit
I don't own a TV as such, my monitors are all Dell. Because their Ultrasharp 4k range is ideal for video/photo editing unless you spend insane money (though that might be on the cards) and there's not much else that competes in the price range. "Gaming" monitors, which many are, aren't as ideal for colour-precise work.
DrH1983@reddit
It's possible I guess but honestly most people are effected to some degree by adverts and marketing.
I mean you could argue your brand loyalty to Dell is proof that marketing has worked to some level - not saying it's the case, but you clearly like that brand, and they would have been a point where you had to research into monitors etc. And that's where marketing would typically come into play. Not all marketing is direct ads either.
KeyLog256@reddit
Actually, I was off Dell for years because of their bad press in the 00s. I found out I was wrong when a photographer mate showed me his Ultrasharp. Still wasn't sold on them but couldn't find anything close in the same price range.
Something I arguably do have brand loyalty to is Asus - bought an Asus motherboard when I first built a PC in the early 00s, was great, used their mobos and bought a few of their laptops as a result. I've never seen them advertise though.
Brand loyalty is definitely a thing for me, and it sometimes annoys me.
Agreeable_Fig_3713@reddit
One. A max tow truck for one of my elder kids. I tend to ff ads if on telly.
I’ve actually boycotted a lot of brands and products because their ads are so American and annoying.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
Jet2, Booking and OnTheBeach aren't getting any of my money thanks to their cunty ads.
I'm big so it's not a sizeist thing, but the heavy family in that advert does my head in, smug cunts.
greylord123@reddit
Jet2 are actually pretty decent.
I recently went on holiday with them. They weren't my first choice (again due to the adverts) but the specific flights I wanted for the specific days I wanted, they were the only option.
Went to book the hotel separately and it was actually cheaper to book it as a package via jet2 and also included an airport transfer.
Their app is useful for managing your booking and has all your boarding passes etc as QR codes which is handy. My only fault with them is that the app is a bit spammy and keeps pushing you to buy extras (I.e inflight meals etc).
Saw_Boss@reddit
Despite how awful the adverts are, you know the companies and you know exactly the kind of holidays they sell.
So if you wanted to look for a family package holiday deal, despite your statement, I would bet that you're more likely to check out their websites than others of companies you don't know. And if you come across a decent deal or such, you'll find your wallet telling you to get over their shitty adverts.
greylord123@reddit
I think advertising used to be much more effective but online advertising is just really obnoxious to the point it puts me off.
In the days of traditional TV advertising I think a lot of effort went into making adverts part of the programming. To the point where the adverts were often more memorable than the thing you were watching.
These 15 seconds unskippable ads are just tedious.
I think physical advertising nowadays is more effective than media advertising. McDonald's billboards on a bus stop showing a new burger is more of an influence than netflix interrupting a program to show a 20 second ad or a website with an obnoxious banner ad.
There's also the more subtle marketing and I guess to a degree companies that don't even advertise and rely on reputation are still influencing you.
Awkward_Chain_7839@reddit
Consciously, no. In fact a lot of adverts mean I won’t be getting the product. Unconsciously, definitely.
pothelswaite@reddit
I bought a new design one cup ground coffee filter recently. Saw an advert on social media for it at £45, went on eBay and bought the same thing for £14. The advert worked but another company got the money!
vientianna@reddit
Of course. I buy stuff all the time off instagram adverts. Targeted marketing works!
One big one that springs to mind was a Renault Clio as my first car that I’m almost entirely sure was down to the Thierry Henry adverts
parsonpigeon@reddit
Of course. McDonald's Monopoly is on, let's gets some!
Currys black Friday sale, here comes a new TV.
Middle of Lidl, thanks for reminding me.
And don't get me started on product placement in films, I've bought 2 cars because of that.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
I've been a victim of the middle of Lidl many times
Low_Assistance7926@reddit
Once bought some fox's biscuits because Vinnie the Panda made me laugh.
DarthScabies@reddit
Fudge. Saw an ad on Instagram and it looked really nice. And it was.
MASunderc0ver@reddit
My favourite thing about redditors is how some believe they are above 100 years of physiological research into human behaviour, while subsequently being the most predictable people around...
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
Given that I can now name 20+ things I've bought or used due to advertising I do indeed stand corrected
LanguidVirago@reddit
Not as often as advertisers think I should but more often that I think I should.
It is incredibly rare I intentionally buy something from an advert though.
TotallyTapping@reddit
Not TV adverts as far as I can remember, but I was watching a programme a couple of years ago about M&S food looking for their new seasonal Christmas foods, and the bakers were trying all different recipes for a bread. They eventually mixed and matched a couple of shortlisted ones and the final choice looked so good that I made a conscious decision to get a loaf and see for myself. It was as good as the programme made it out to be. 😋
thatscotbird@reddit
Almost every single impulse buy has been because of an advert… 90% of my wardrobe is because of Facebook ads.
GrimQuim@reddit
I've bought several items through Instagram ads, the algorithm knows what I like.
thatscotbird@reddit
Literally they always get it to an absolute T, I’m a sucker for a good SHEIN advert… 😂
ArcticNun@reddit
Was at a pal's house for drinks quite a few years ago, with the TV on in the background playing a film. The film ended, and we got the late-night shopping adverts, most notably for the Shark vacuum cleaner. We started out taking the piss, ironically marvelling at all the shit they were pouring onto the floor and hoovering up. It eventually became a running joke about the sheer power of the Shark and all the bowls of spilt dry cereal it could handle.
Fast forward to now, and we all have one. If we hadn't been so lazy and just turned off the TV after the film, we probably wouldn't have bought them.
Enflamed-Pancake@reddit
I’ve certainly become aware of or interested in games based on advertising/trailers - though more research goes into the decision.
Most things I see advertised on television are of little interest to me, so advertising does little to persuade me.
Yamsfordays@reddit
Signed up to HelloFresh. Started a new job and essentially skipped a months pay. Knew that HelloFresh did big discounts for the first few weeks and figured that was the cheapest way of feeding myself for the next four weeks.
I wouldn’t say I was convinced by an advert but the advertising definitely meant that I knew about the product and I knew about their big discounts for the first few weeks.
I actually wound up sticking with it for quite a while, made a nice change to my usual, uncreative rotation of weekly meals.
one_ripe_bananna@reddit
Only once.
A pair of Adidas trainers because of this advert
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
The guy who made that (Nima Nourizadeh) has done some great music videos too.
Breakwaterbot@reddit
You absolutely have bought and will continue to buy many many things because of an advert. Anyone that thinks they don't is foolish
Dopey_Armadillo_4140@reddit
Certainly online, yes. I was in the market for clothes for my holiday and Facebook quickly cottoned on. In fact, I just them do the work. If I liked something I’d just click on it and then in time they’d show me more similar stuff. Bought most of my holiday clothes from Facebook ads, some from companies I’d never heard of before.
I know some internet personalisation is dodgy AF but it is good when it actually helps you.
cloche_du_fromage@reddit
Levis 501s and a belt after the Nick Kamen 'heard it thru the grapevine' laundrette advert.
cgknight1@reddit
I have bought things due to adverts, but overall, I see fewer Ads than I ever did - 100% remote, pihole on home network, openDNS on phone and don't watch commercial TV.
Watches are the main thing because I've seen an ad in a watch magazine and then waited to pick up second hand.
Hungry_Woodpecker_60@reddit
I recently bought some blinds off a company after I saw on an advert on TV. I needed to change them anyway, but the advert reminded me, and it turned out they were the best price. I did feel weirdly manipulated as I put my bank details in, they're good blinds though!
LDNLibero@reddit
Not since I was a child but I'm certain I'm a Guinness drinker because of their advertising
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
The Sapeurs of Congo ad was cool as fuck
LDNLibero@reddit
It was the Gareth Thomas one I always loved
VolcanicBear@reddit
I have bought products I already intended to buy because of adverts.
I have also no doubt unknowingly bought things I wasn't intending to buy because of adverts.
MrNippyNippy@reddit
I think a lot of people buy because of brand recognition.
If you think about it, would you buy a car from Gigllsog Gjenajtidnwb Motors if you’d never heard of the brand before? Probably not because you want the subconscious reassurance that the brand is going to be about should you have any problems? It’s not like you can afford just to scrap the car and go and buy yet another one.
This is why MG is MG a resurrected British brand that’s actually a Chinese manufacturer underneath.
If you look historically back, there’s quite a lot of car brands that have done this or at least use marketing to increase well known they are in the general population.
I remember years ago, Skoda having a ton of really clever marketing for example.
mynameisfreddit@reddit
There's good advertising i Good - product I was unaware of for a price I am happy to pay, product is cheaper here, buy it here.
another_online_idiot@reddit
Yes. I once bought a Jeep branded watch because I really liked the look of it. I still have it. I bought it about 20 years ago.
feesh_face@reddit
You can offer get some decent offers, like coffee subs with free bits that you might already be after. Providing you’re good at cancelling subs and ensuring a price is good, there are definitely deals to be had.
They rely on you being a repeat customer, intentionally or otherwise.
Trace6x@reddit
There's a whole world of psychological research that's gone into advertising. The fact that you are aware of brands and what products they sell and their reputation means the advertisements have already done their job, regardless of if you actually bought anything.
I still hate them too though.
pikantnasuka@reddit
More skin and hair care and makeup products than I can count
zephyrmox@reddit
Definitely bought various things from Instagram ads or the like. Lots of pretty good clothes, one terrible bottle of alcohol.
Accurate_Prompt_8800@reddit
I would probably say mainly food on the rare occasion - like McDonald’s were advertising the McRib so I went to try it.
I’m not really influenced by ads, if I was I’d have bought a Porche by now haha.
JSHU16@reddit (OP)
Food is a fair point, I always look for when the McDonalds Monopoly is back on despite never winning more than a burger
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