A favored route to work features, among many business, a locksmith. The front of the building is painted very brightly, with a patriotic theme--good ol red, white, and blue--touting the name of the business, phone number, other services offered, and their mantra:
We Make Keys That Work!
In multiple locations across the front of the building; large and small, with red lettering and then, with the blue. Over and over, again and again:
We Make Keys That Work!
My first thought was if there were locksmiths who were of the habit of making keys that didn't work. Oh sure, now and again a key might not work. But, they can't possibly stay in business very long if that kind of ethic is habit rather than happenstance.
We Make Keys That Work!
My second thought was if it--the proclamation--is working. Or, has worked. How many folks have chosen them over other locksmiths? And if the choice made because of the slogan. Or rather, mantra. I don't know, I tend to be a bit dubious of entities screaming from the rooftops about whatever it is they do--or want me to believe. I wonder, who are they trying to convince, me or themselves?
The business is located much too far away from my homebase for me to consider trying their services. I suppose, given that they are, in fact, still in business (over 30 years!) they must be doing something right. And that something may very well be, making keys that work!
The truth is, around this sort of thing, I miss 20 years ago. The before reality TV, when people doing this sort of thing were considered in poor taste.
ReplyDeleteMaybe because I'm tired of someone (or something like a building) screaming at me to get my attention.
keys that work should be a given and easy peasy for a locksmith. and yes, the "flintstone" marketing is off-putting.
DeleteI would have these SAME thoughts: "It makes no sense to me. Don't most locksmiths make keys that work? And why are you yelling at me?" :)
ReplyDeleteexactly.
DeleteThey didn't want to spring for the expensive marketing plan...
ReplyDeleteprobably. spent a pretty penny on all that paint--every few years. still, likely less than even the 'freinds and family' marketing plan rate.
DeleteI get to have control over signage in my town and no way would this be allowed. I hate signage clutter.
ReplyDeleteThere's a thing that was being done in LA when I was there, where people want to put advertising on the sides of buildings and to try and get around the law, hanging the building with a large picture of the statue of liberty or other pic. (They're called supergraphics and are super irritating. Here: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/la-accuses-ad-firm-of-displaying-illegal-supergraphics.html) Awful. There was one near me.
Delete(It's me, earthandink, but blogger doesn't believe I'm me right now. Apparently.)
8th, yay you.
Deletethat kind of thing is pretty well controlled in our small town, but the in the city it is a different story. two words: bus wraps.
I'm going to try shouting to the kids tomorrow, "I make food that is edible!" and see if they believe me and start eating what I make vs. eschewing what I've made for dinner. If it works for the locksmiths...
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that. :-)
DeleteI would want to put a lock to their mouths! ;)
ReplyDelete