Thanks for the electric energy rebate, I think?

By Jesus Manuel Mena Garza -

Having worked for a utility marketing department for many years before I moved back to California, I know that rebates are essentially a sham. What better way to divert attention away from their monopoly then by distributing an insignificant number of rebates.

Thanks for giving me some of "my money" back. Utilities pretend to be altruistic when offering energy rebates when in reality they would terminate the practice if everyone started to take advantage of the program.

Utilities and their bloated (award winning) marketing departments are great at spewing the energy-saving mantra when in the end they know more people will have to use their product. Yes, with the growing number of iPods, cell phones, computers, and coffee bean grinders and such, their jobs are not in danger. Business is good. Being a monopoly, utilities can typically cover even expected losses by charging as little as an additional half a penny per KWH and still make off like bandits. Where else are you going to get your electricity?

In the end some energy company bureaucrat has to drive the company car (gas and insurance included) and alert the media about the wonderful job they are doing. Lets of course not forget to talk about those fantastic rebates.

Yes, I worked for an electric utility. As long as you make your manager happy, somebody has to prop up his or her feet up on the desk all day and read the newspaper.Yes, my old utility company typically had the AC set at 68 degrees during the summer while it was 110 outside. No need to make your own people sweat. By the way, did that press release go out asking people to conserve while offering rebates?

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Shopping Anxiety

While shopping at Von’s today, I felt inundated and eventually overwhelmed by the sheer number of messages vying for my attention. Yes, I experienced marketing overload. Welcome to the 2008 shopping experience. 

While shopping at Von's, I was constantly bombarded by advertising; even while stuck in the checkout line. Madison Avenue and Von's executives are lining their pockets with cash because of my poor choices.

Getting Fat

Americans are getting fatter because they have been programmed to love Big Macs and Ding Dongs. Do we really need that sugary cereal and pizza? In retrospect, we probably could all save money and our health by choosing healthier fare. Do we really need to be part of this programmed lifestyle? Can we avoid being the victims of the massive marketing onslaught?

Checkout Isle Tabloids

If you need behavioral confirmation of just how susceptible Americans are to marketing, just ask the party girls that populate the tabloids at the grocery store checkout isle. These bimbos are ubiquitous and offer America an image of bliss and despair. 

Again, this train of thought came to me while shopping at Von’s. I wonder what goes through the minds of impressionable children when they are in the throws of shopping at Safeway, HEB, Ralph's, etc. What information have they internalized?

Albertson's Knows What’s Best

Albertson's has taken marketing to a new level. They have televisions blaring commercials while you’re perusing vegetables, meat and other fare. Is nothing sacred anymore? More information (crap) is televised while you’re in the checkout line. Some customers seem to like the obnoxious noise. I continue to avoid Albertson’s and the anxiety. By the way, do you care?

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