The heck with it, I drove to the Broward Fair to see what the big deal was. The Fair promoters plainly do not know a good deal when they see one. Giving them the benefit that they were just too busy to bother with my little display, I went to take a look myself. What a bunch of wankers they must be. The Fair is a tiny little parking lot next to the Pompano racetrack. There was one display, up on the fourth floor. Paper models made by students who’d plainly rather be at the mall.The rest was a standard, tired, overpriced midway, home of the $3 hot dog. Nothing like San Diego and never will be. Fairs like that are probably not the vehicle I need to get my show together. Still, my plan was only to get some operating capital close to home. After looking around, I see my display would have likely been an outstanding and popular success compared to what was there. The life and spirit has gone out of County Fair’s, replaced by undisguised commercialism. I’m convinced they want their $2500 concession fee up front, even if you have an idea that changes everything. The Broward fair is all about that concession fee.
My real grouse for the day is advertising. Why, if I was king for a day… Sales are different on the east coast. They don’t lower the price to give you a better deal. They take something away, and want to sell it to you as an extra which brings the price back to non-sale level. I actually got taken in by that $299 lasik eye surgery ad. I have about the most common eye problem in existence, simple myopia. Not even astigmatism. And like all short-sighted people, I need bifocals after 40.
Well, the “eye-examination” looks and feels like a credit application. I made it clear (an ability I’ve always had) that I wanted the $299 special. They launch into this sordid little routine about how I have double diopters and I finally stopped them to ask what the target price they were aiming for, which got them angrily on the defensive. I know my eyes are not anywhere near as bad as they were making out, nor am I in the least confused about the function of excited dimer lasers. It was the full regular price of $2,499 and the trick was to make you feel like only a total loser didn’t have the money for one of their “customized” credit plans. I’ll take that treatment from time-share salesmen for a cut on my hotel rate, but not eye doctors, dammit.
Another unregulated Florida industry are employment agencies. They all advertise free to the applicant. If so, why does it cost an average of $35 (what it cost me on average to travel, park and go to their interviews, not job interviews). Most [agencies] are paid by the interview, not by the job placement. Several places were plainly collecting interviews and only grudgingly admit no real jobs exist.
One place downtown right in Brickell Towers was actually a marketing company. Their ad said professionals only, but they were really profiling and selling exclusive telemarketing lists. I saw it right away when I read the questions on their “application”. The only thing I believed was their statement that I was the first person who ever threw the paper back in their face and walked out. I tried to complain, but [it turns out] there is absolutely nothing illegal about what they are doing in the state of Florida.
