Author Topic: Gold on HSN  (Read 3263 times)

AMandM

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Gold on HSN
« on: December 31, 2022, 09:38:13 AM »
In the doctor's waiting room yesterday, the TV was tuned to the Home Shopping Network. I thought HSN mostly sold overpriced tchotchkes and underperforming gadgets, but it turns out they also sell gold. Specifically, a half gram of gold for only $79.99. (That's about 250% of the spot price, in case you were wondering.) Among the salesman's spiel:

Very close-up views of the piece of gold stamped "99.99% pure," with nothing to show the scale so you don't realize it's only about 5 x 5 x 1 mm.

A lot of the standard "can't say how much will be available at this price" and intimations of future increases in value

Vague warnings of possible future US government actions

"I asked a customer how it felt, meaning the gold itself, and expecting her to say it felt heavy, but she thought I meant how it made her feel, and she said it felt rich. That's the intangible benefit--when you own gold, you feel rich, because you know you own something permanent."  [Side note: how can half a gram feel heavy??]

I feel so bad for the people who are suckered into buying this. The sellers are scum--not as bad as Nigerian-prince email scammers, but destined for a neighboring circle of Hell imo.

JAYSLOL

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2022, 03:10:26 PM »
That definitely sounds predatory, not that I’m surprised, HSN’s whole business model is to target people with shopping and hoarding addictions.  I actually do like collecting old and interesting coins, some of which are gold and silver, but I don’t actually like precious metals themselves as an investment, and I definitely don’t get why anyone would think buying some overpriced made-to-be-collectible 1/2 gram gold pieces would be a great idea. 

valsecito

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #2 on: January 04, 2023, 03:29:55 PM »
The sellers are scum--not as bad as Nigerian-prince email scammers, but destined for a neighboring circle of Hell imo.
One could also argue the reverse. The Nigerian prince scum steals from the greedy. The HSN scum steals from the mentally challenged.

AMandM

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2023, 08:25:58 PM »
I was thinking of the scale of the losses, thinking $79.99 is a small scam compared to the thousands that Nigerian princes get, but I take your point, valsecito.

Fomerly known as something

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2023, 09:16:41 PM »
When I’m bored I sometimes watch HSN or QVC.  The sales pitches fascinate me.  And I admit, I did buy some Curtis Stone pans when I needed some new pans.

Just Joe

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2023, 11:17:36 AM »
"I asked a customer how it felt, meaning the gold itself, and expecting her to say it felt heavy, but she thought I meant how it made her feel, and she said it felt rich. That's the intangible benefit--when you own gold, you feel rich, because you know you own something permanent."  [Side note: how can half a gram feel heavy??]

A single M&M is about a gram...

lifeisshort123

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2023, 05:01:20 AM »
When I’m bored I sometimes watch HSN or QVC.  The sales pitches fascinate me.  And I admit, I did buy some Curtis Stone pans when I needed some new pans.

I have never bought but I do find the sales pitches amazing.  it really is a skill!

Travis

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2023, 08:24:31 AM »
I'm a fan of all the daytime advertising aimed at retirees. Reverse mortgages, insurance, and gold to protect yourself. "Inflation will eat up your savings! Doom! Only gold will save you from the coming apocalypse! Of course we're not going to explain to you why we're perfectly fine taking your worthless cash in exchange for our all-important gold!"

Valley of Plenty

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2023, 02:25:12 AM »
I'm a fan of all the daytime advertising aimed at retirees. Reverse mortgages, insurance, and gold to protect yourself. "Inflation will eat up your savings! Doom! Only gold will save you from the coming apocalypse! Of course we're not going to explain to you why we're perfectly fine taking your worthless cash in exchange for our all-important gold!"

Snake-oil peddlers are the embodiment of altruism, of course.

Chris Pascale

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2023, 08:46:24 AM »
I remember when gold commercials were on Comedy Central, much like how Maxim Magazine started giving 401(k) advice.

Pretty scary stuff.

Travis

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Re: Gold on HSN
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2023, 02:06:20 PM »
I'm a fan of all the daytime advertising aimed at retirees. Reverse mortgages, insurance, and gold to protect yourself. "Inflation will eat up your savings! Doom! Only gold will save you from the coming apocalypse! Of course we're not going to explain to you why we're perfectly fine taking your worthless cash in exchange for our all-important gold!"

Snake-oil peddlers are the embodiment of altruism, of course.

Last week I saw a new "DOOMMM!!" commercial explaining why gold will save you from the pending economic collapse*.



*Fine print reveals that its gold in your IRA.