Positive Vibes only! How clever marketing almost got me to buy a product I already own!

Earlier this week I received an email from LoveHoney, a UK based sex toy company. They unveiled there new range of ‘Positive Vibes’.

This is a series of 4 new vibrator designs: Rainbow, vibes before guys, I only f*** with magic, and good vibes only. And I have to say I was completely drawn in and almost brought one immediately. But then I realised wait? Don’t I already own one of these? 

This is the Cupids Classic Vibrator that I got for £8, half the price of the Positive Vibes! As you can see they are very similar products. I for a good half an hour believed this was a whole new product. So how does this clever marketing work?

Authority: A reputable company sent me this and I trust their option. It was also sent directly to me with my name in the email – I know this is automated but the personal touch did increase my engagement with the email. So when they tell me there is a super cool new product – I believe them! (Saleem, S., & Abideen, Z. 2011).

So yes the new ones are much prettier. But when you know both are the same device, why am I still so drawn in by the new one?

Catchy phrases: ‘Positive Vibes’ and ‘Be Sextraodinary’ are both short, snappy and catchy phrases. They get the attention of the viewer (Wyckham, Banting & Wensley, 1984). They also communicate the idea that this product is both positive and empowering, as does the colour scheme which is bright and colourful while also being non-threatening.  

Attractiveness: It is fair to say that the new ones do have prettier designs and are more eye catching.

So well done LoveHoney. Your new range is super cute and I’m sure I will buy one before long! Or maybe, as we learnt in week one, I could try asking for one and see what happens!

References:

Saleem, S., & Abideen, Z. (2011). Effective advertising and its influence on consumer buying behavior. European Journal of Business and Management, 3(3), 55-67.

Wyckham, R., Banting, P., & Wensley, A. (1984). The language of advertising: Who controls quality?. Journal Of Business Ethics, 3(1), 47-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00381713