1. Does the attachment of a title to a seller's name (such as Ph.D., M.D., etc.) blind a consumer to the fact that the person doing the selling is advertising a good or service, regardless of the quality of the service? Is this an efficient way of going about, for example, finding a doctor for your children?
2. Since we are dependent on sellers, what type of relationship between you and the seller is most beneficial? One of mutual exchange? Fear?
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12 comments:
1. I wouldn't say that the attachment of a title to a seller's name blinds the consumer to the fact that the aim of the seller is to convince the consumer to buy something, but I think it certainly shifts the focus. When we use the word "doctor" in front of a name, for example, we are usually dealing with a medical professional whose job it is to serve our best interests. Naturally, that association carries over into advertising, which is why sellers use it. Even if the individual is not specifically a medical professional, he or she has still earned a doctorate degree, which I think is generally a good indicator of above-average intelligence (or at least knowledge). Obviously, the "doctor" prefix or suffix cannot always be trusted, and I think the reason we react so strongly to doctors who are just "selling something" is that we feel betrayed or endangered knowing that they may have interests other than our own. However, I still think we have to consider that they earned their degree somehow, and if that's what helps them survive economically - and they're not hurting or exploiting anyone - there's no real reason for them not to attach their accomplishments to their name.
I find the point you bring up interesting. I think that we all assume and expect that when we hear something from a doctor that what we hear will have been grounded in some level of education or expertise in the area they are speaking about. I have heard a few Doctors who for example hold a Ph.D. in a field of English, speaking about the effects of greenhouse gases or about religion. This holds less weight for medical doctors who possess a general knowledge of the practice of medicine however, I don't want a pediatrician performing open heart surgery.
First of all, I do not think that we are blinded by a title like Ph.D. I do think that someone who has earned a title has high has a Ph.D., J.D., M.D., or any equivalent, earns the right to place this title in their name. They worked hard for this title and they deserve to be recognized. I personally would listen to an M.D.'s argument about a medical product over an average person. Even if they are trying to sell a product, they are still experienced in the field. They have had some type of training and education to earn this degree, so I would trust the M.D. On the other hand, if someone has an Th.D. (Doctor of Theology) and is talking about Medicine, I would not value their opinion over an average person. Just because they have received a higher form of education, doesn't mean it has any relation to what is being discussed (or sold).
Question 2.
For me I can answer this questions from two perspectives. The buyer, and the seller. When I am the buyer the relationship I would want with the seller would be the one which is most fair. I want to know that I am getting the best deal possible, along with getting a quality product. Kinda like Efficacy, I want to get the most out of the product I get, but I also don't want to shell out all sorts of money to insure this. I want the seller to be honest with me about what I am about to buy, I want to know if the product is its best condition, and I want to know previous customers feed back.
When I am the seller I want my relationship with the buyer to be honest and productive. Because I do not own the company that I work for, I am able to give honest opinions about our products to ensure that they are getting the most for their money. Also because I am at work I need to be productive. I want to have a lot to show, for not necessarily a lot of work.
-Kirsten Nilsson
1)I believe that consumers are blinded by such titles. When a consumer sees that level of achievement on a sellers name, a consumer will probably have a greater level of trust in that seller, and the product of which he or she is selling. There might be a bit more trust in a doctor selling a product rather than Billy Mays scheming us into the new line of Oxi Clean products. Yes that is a litte irrelevant but I had to bring it up. I agree with Ben in his statement, I wouldnt want a pediatrician performing open heart surgery either.
I feel that when the average is usually blinded by titles such as Ph.D and M.D.. I feel this is mainly because we have learned to listen to those who are higher above us. Just like in elementary school, just because your teacher taught or spoke something we listened, and did what they taught us. When we go to a doctors and they tell us something, we listen to them because we'd hope they have more knowledge in the area then we do. Thats why we go see them. However, many doctors can be misleading, and diagnos you with something you truely dont have. Just the same a teacher can you teach you something completely false, but we take notes on it, and do as we are told.
-Jordana Bradburn
Yes, I think that most of the time when an individual is buying something from a "doctor" or somebody with credentials they are more easily persuaded. There is always that trust that the qualified person is using their expertise to give you the best advice, which is not always the case. If someone is trying to sell you something then they are obviously interested more in your money rather than your well being or satifsaction.
As a consumer when you are dealing with the seller you have to understand that they only care about making money off of you by selling their product to you. They know you want their product and are going to do whatever it takes to sell you that product. I would have to say that the most beneficial relationship that the buyer and seller should have is awareness. The seller should be aware that you are interested in their product and should try to sell you the best deal possible. The consumer however should be aware that the seller’s number one goal is to sell you that product. I like the point you brought up of a mutual exchange. In order for the exchange to be a successful one, both sides must come to a standpoint on the item. Let’s take a car for example, you want the lowest monthly payment possible, the dealer wants to sell the car for the largest price possible that you are willing to pay. If the dealer gets you the monthly payment plan you want and you are pleased with the price and the car then both sides have just come to a mutual agreement. Both sides must be aware of each others stand point and come to a mutual exchange.
I disagree with everyone that says that people should not put there title as a doctor in there name. One thing the people also get confused is that you can be a doctor and not know all the much about the human body and medicine. You get the tittle doctor from getting your doctorate degree. The title doctor just means that you have enough knowledge in a particular subject that you get the tittle doctor. And yes, i do believe that if someone gets that tittle, they deserve to be called Dr. whoever. But just because they are a doctor does not mean they are a good teacher. You can be brilliant, but if you do not know how to give others that brilliance, then you are not a good teacher. So I agree with some of the stuff and disagree with other stuff. But bottom line, if someone has a doctorate degree, they most likely know what they are talking about.
The most benefical relationship between a buy and a seller is happy-ness between the seller and the buyer. If someone is selling a product to a consistent buyer one may think that hey if i throw this customer more for his buck maybe he will buy more and consume more. Even tho yes its about the money,i think its about customer satisfaction in addition to getting your money being the seller. Usually when you sell something that comes in different styles or varieties, once you findout what is hot and what the customer wants you can get it and you can be his sole seller. In conclusion satisfaction between the seller and the buyer is a good relationship, in any buying and selling task.
NSAMPSON
I think that this is a good question. I believe that the relationship between the buyer and seller of goods is most important. The relationship of a buyer and seller depends on decsitions between them on a specfic price for the product. IF the seller has too high of a price the buyer wont like it an may not buy the produst. Also if the buyer wont pay enough money for the product then the relionship could be ruined. IF the buyer an seller come to the same aggrement then things would work out for th.e best for both
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