Could we have a little more fine print, please?
The wise consumer ALWAYS reads the fine print. At least, in a perfect world; if you watch TV, you have “briefly seen” what some call mouseprint. Texts that try to make perfectly misleading statements into mistruths. Not exactly lies, but gone by quickly enough that you can’t be sure. Could be the aged eyes, could be the rapid delivery; the whole story is over and done before you realize you’ve been “sold” a false bill of goods.
The trend is disconcerting, but the hope remains that some day the advertisement will freeze on the screen and you’ll read the text before you spend any money. Sure, and if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Let’s move along, because there’s nothing to see here.
Well, it gets worse. For several years, there has been a demand that the airline industry post prices for a given flight that match what you actually will have to pay. No more ad copy promoting a flight for $79 that actually rings in at $159.25; in fact a law was tabled back in 2006 (better times in our country) that would require truth in airline pricing. Let’s call it “actually giving us some fine print to read”. The law passed, but with the subtle addition that the government would consult with the industry before any regulations were applied.
This week the federal Minister of Transport (Lawrence Cannon, if you’re keeping track), “confirms all-in advertising won’t be coming into effect any time soon. He says it would be ‘foolish’ to bring in federal regulations in the absence of a national consensus.” In government double-speak, the idea of consensus doesn’t involve the citizens. Only corporatations need apply. Since the travel agents and the airlines don’t want the buyer to have any idea what about what something might actually cost, it’s better to not talk about it. No terrifying the customers. What Johnny can’t read won’t disturb him.
Our government doesn’t want an uneven playing ground, where someone in another country might not advertise realistic prices. I have a better idea. Why don’t we send this government to another country and put some reality back into things? I’d love to have some fine print that I could actually read, for a change.
