Filed under: Comment
Baa!
I love this story – if only for the fact it’s nice to see some [albeit illegal] ingenuity coming out of the UK and Australia rather than the usual ‘home of fraud’ – China!
Of course it could be – and probably is – total bollocks, but for the ‘smile value’ alone, it’s worth repeating PLUS I found a way to make a pretty tenious link to planning at the end – so there might be a little value in reading the post.
Please note I did say ‘MIGHT’! Ahem.
Thousands of people in Japan have paid a company called Poodles as Pets, upto $1600 to buy the latest fashion accessory – a poodle dog.
Apparently $1600 is a snip given they normally retail for at least twice that much.
So what’s the catch?
Well instead of a dog, they’d been sold a sheep! No, I am not making this up!
Woof!
The scam was uncovered when Japanese movie star, Maiko Kawamaki, went on a talk-show and commented how her new pet did not bark or eat dog food.
When investigated, she was informed that what she’d actually bought was a sheep and almost immediately, studio phonelines were jammed with hundreds of other women all claiming that on closer inspection, their ‘poodle‘ also a different animal.
Apparently one couple found they’d been duped when they took their ‘dog‘ to have its claws trimmed, only to be told it had hooves.
Japanese police believe upto 2000 people could be affected by the scam – which worked because sheep are so rare in Japan, many people don‘t even know what they look like.
“We launched an investigation after we were made aware that a company were selling sheep as poodles,” Japanese police said, the The Times reported.
So there you have it – proof our emotions control our actions … because when we want something, we become blind to all the signs which may be screaming ‘SOMETHING ISN’T RIGHT HERE’ … which is why we live in a World full of fashion victims, owners of pointless technology and people who take sheep for a walk!
It is also proof that the best communication resonates on an emotional level, not just on bloody rational attributes.
There’s another clue for your A[P]SOTW project – though you are not allowed to come up with ‘scams’ to achieve the business goal, however ingenious it may be. Sorry, ha!
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My mind won’t let me accept this as truth!
Comment by Age May 11, 2007 @ 1:49 pmHahaha too funny.
your mum wont be happy given you must have written this post on drugs.
fucking genius, anyone want a shetland pony that looks remarkably like a guinea pig?
Comment by andy@cynic May 11, 2007 @ 2:03 pmI have a couple of “rare” long legged, sheep with no wool that I need to sell. Nice and chubby and pink. One even has a ring through it’s nose and goes by the name of “Charlotte”. $2.000 a piece, $3.800 for the pair.
Comment by Marcus May 11, 2007 @ 2:07 pmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6594973.stm
Yes … yes … I know it’s from ‘The Sun’ but it was also commented on by The Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Wall Street Journal and CNN amongst countless others.
Funnily enough, CNN said that it appeared this was a case of an urban legend becoming true – but who the fuck knows what to believe these days. The fact ‘The Sunday Sport’ DIDN’T print it gives it abit more merit, haha!
So there you go Age, truth [MIGHT BE] stranger than fiction.
And as for things for sale Andy … what about selling your cock as a maggot for fisherman? Worth at least a quid – or so your ex told me, ha!
Comment by Rob May 11, 2007 @ 2:14 pmThey look like they may taste good too. Oh, go on then, $3.600 for the pair; but you know you’re breaking my heart.
Comment by Marcus May 11, 2007 @ 2:20 pmPikey Brown … that sort of sounds pretty good!
Comment by Rob May 11, 2007 @ 2:22 pm$3.200 but you’re killing me gov’
Comment by Marcus May 11, 2007 @ 2:23 pmOMG Rob, that was great, hahaah!
(awaits Andy’s equally venomous reply…)
Comment by Age May 11, 2007 @ 2:33 pm$3.100 and I’ll through in a bottle of meths.
Comment by Marcus May 11, 2007 @ 2:45 pmwhy do I always spell throw wrong? why can’t I ever get that right?
Comment by Marcus May 11, 2007 @ 2:50 pmfuckheadwankshitter.
and if it was veronica who said that, its because she had a box like a bucket.
Comment by andy@cynic May 11, 2007 @ 2:51 pmsorry mrs c, but your son deserved it.
Comment by andy@cynic May 11, 2007 @ 2:51 pmThat’s why I love you Andy – bitter, venomous but with a cutting edge of [sort of] humour.
And Marcus – as much as you spell ‘throw’ incorrectly, look on the bright side, more often than not, that’s the only word NP spells right.
Ooooh I’m in a spiteful mood – maybe because this morning I had to present to the Asia Society of Market Research and had a right old ding-dong with them. Well, with the ones who think it is OK to simply say, “Do you like this?” and simply right down the response without looking into the deeper reasons why.
Ahhhhhh, I feel so much better now. Thank you.
Off to get my medical reports – so back soon. With abit of luck they’ll be able to confirm I do have some sort of brain hiding in there, but I’m not holding my breath.
Comment by Rob May 11, 2007 @ 2:57 pmi cant fucking wait till george comes back.
Comment by andy@cynic May 11, 2007 @ 3:06 pmHave you all noticed that since Rob has become a teacher, he’ll do a rant, swear abit and then get all grown up on us?
They ask “do you like this?” because they are fucking stupid and don’t know/want to know what else to do or say. And I can hear them moaning about their lot “oh, but if we digged deeper and asked why…we’d be there all day”. For them it’s not about the quality of the information it’s about getting all of their little forms filled out. When they go home and the wife asks “how did you do today love” they answer “200”.
Comment by Marcus May 11, 2007 @ 3:13 pmI think I’ll do some 200 today.
And yes, Rob has definitely become more professorial since the teaching role, though the maggot line was inspired.
Comment by Will May 11, 2007 @ 3:20 pmfuck finding a brain, what about your backbone? come and have a go if you think youre hard enough.
Comment by andy@cynic May 11, 2007 @ 3:24 pmCould you say that again please … you know, the ROB IS PROFESSIONAL thing.
I ask because I’ve never, ever been called that and actually have written warnings to prove otherwise so I find it hugely complimentary.
And just so people don’t think I am too professional, I found my favourite ever post yesterday which I’d like to bring to your attention again.
A professional person would have kept this ‘incident’ quiet – but alas, I am to professionalism what Marcus is to sensible.
Enjoy. And Cringe.
http://robcampbell.wordpress.com/2006/08/14/technology-can-be-a-danger-to-your-health/
Comment by Rob May 11, 2007 @ 3:39 pmcould all those who have popped on over here to learn something about advertising and planning just quickly close your eyes and stick your fingers in your ears.
WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?
Are you suggesting that I’m not sensible? Thin fucking ice Campbell. Very fucking thin indeed. Now who’s buying those long legged sheep off me? $2.900 and they’re all yours.
Fucking cheek.
So all your ad-plan people can look back now. Thank you.
Comment by Marcus May 11, 2007 @ 3:50 pmBut we like crazy Marcus; he’s insightful AND nuts 😉
Comment by Rob Mortimer May 11, 2007 @ 4:35 pmI’m bored of this thread, I’m now hangin out on the northen planner/freddie mercury post instead.
Comment by Marcus May 11, 2007 @ 4:47 pm