After watching the video and reading the article from CBC Marketplace. Hidden Cameras Capture Deceptive Tactics Used to Sell Overpriced HVAC Contracts, (CBC Marketplace, 2022).I can’t help but feel sad with those victims. And makes me wonder why do victims or consumers fall into these deceptive marketing strategies? And why does other business organization, engage in unethical business practices?

According to Karen Norgaad (2022), “They just kept talking about it, saving me money.… That was the bottom line and that’s how they got me”. This statement reminds me of my experience with a scammer back when I was in the Philippines. My mom and I had a small business in our home country, we used to sell siomai and siopao. One day, a salesperson (not our usual supplier) offered my mom a great deal for siomai and siopao. The price for that deal was much lower than the original supplier and they would give us a complimentary freezer. After they receive the payment, that great deal never happened. We receive bad items (expired) and no freezer.

Consumers are mostly focused on what they can save when they buy the product. And that’s what other businesses take advantage of when they do marketing for their product. On the other hand, every business owner’s objective was to maximize profits. Unethical business practice can happen when the organization become greedy and corrupt, to get big profits. Some of the unethical marketing practices are making false promises about their products and services. Like poor quality products, higher prices than the market value and mislabeling on products. As Abhijit Naskar says, “The attention of a company must be on the welfare of its consumers, not on draining their wallets” (Naskar, n.d.).

I’ve never thought that an unethical business could make a huge impact on consumers. Not until I’ve read this statement from Norgaard, “I feel a lack of trust for anybody selling anything, and I don’t feel protected by the laws. (CBC Marketplace, 2022).

This article, help me understand how ethics might affect the business and customers. Thus, when our customers complain about the wrong price, I would immediately inform and ask for price accuracy from my superior. Because consumers deserve the best value for their money and honest customer service.

References:

Naskar, A. (n.d.). Business ethics quotes. Good Reads. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/business-ethics

Marchitellli, R., Pedersen K., Sadler G. (2022, January 14). Hidden camera capture deceptive tactics used to sell overpriced HVAC contracts. CBC Marketplace. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hidden-cameras-capture-deceptive-tactics-used-to-sell-overpriced-hvac-contracts-1.6313723