Tuesday, February 12, 2008

"Weasel words" - Part One

Recently on PT, the term "weasel words" was used to describe the fine print in the Canadian Applause magazine.


Then there was this statement:


"Every company uses them... the fine print at the bottom of the page. They tell a lot about the limitations on your life insurance, the warranty on your VCR and even how much money you will make."


There are 2 points I want to make about this particular post (hence, the Part One on the subject line).


First let's talk about the term "weasel words" and Mary Kay.


As the above quote shows, every company uses this type of language. Most companies refer to it as the "legalese" and it is a standard business practice.


Only on PT is a standard business practice labeled heinous and deceptive - and that is only if Mary Kay Corp. is doing it.


In front of me I have a Captain D's coupon. The "weasel words" on it are quite small, and my old eyes have a time reading it; however, they say:


"Expires 3/30/2008. Participating restaurants only. Limit one per coupon. Not valid with other offers."


Are these "weasel words"? Hardly. They are legal parameters put on the coupon so people don't try to sue the store if they try to use 4 coupons to get free meals or try to use one coupon for an entire football team and the store tells them they cannot do that (because the store would suffer hardship).


The legalese for Mary Kay is no different. In this day and age, there are people waiting to pounce on every company (not just MK) to seize an opportunity to sue someone with deep pockets for not disclosing every single detail and being "misleading," so MKC is careful to cross every T and dot every I.


Wouldn't it be nice if PT were required to have the same disclosures? Wouldn't it be nice to have them back up statements such as


  • No one makes money in Mary Kay.

  • No one makes executive income in Mary Kay.

  • No one is successful in Mary Kay.

  • It is impossible to book and hold classes.

But they don't have to. They are not bound by the same rules that MKC is.


But I wonder....


If PT DID have to use the same disclosures....would they still be called "weasel words"?






2 comments:

  1. From MK4ME

    One thing that should be in the "fine print" on PT should be... if you disagree with the owner of this site and post anything that is in conflict with her belief, you will be banned. It doesn't matter if it is your truth or not..

    Things that make me go..hmmm the number of posts always seem to go up when TC gets a letter from a director or consultant.. because everyone has to get on and defend TC or tell the person they are in the fog and will be back and make fun of any of the MK "lingo", etc...
    The interesting point I am trying to make is, the messages are not ever posted as comments on the blog, they are always posted as a topic by TC. I just have to question why all are emailed privately to her and not posted publically. Do the actually come from a director/consultant in MK or are these just more articles written by TC or Raisin to make sure the posts count goes up?

    ReplyDelete
  2. True, MK4ME -

    Banning seems to be a quick fate for anyone who dares challenge the ideas presented there. :o(

    ReplyDelete

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