KHTS (and Toyota) Engage in Bait and Switch!

By Timothy Myers SR. — Tim Myers

My Nebraska bride wakes to the adult contemporary/easy listening sounds of KHTS (your hometown station) and this morning the on air announcer made an announcement every few minutes about a “carnival” occurring at the Valencia Edwards Theatre to honor the opening this weekend of the third installment of the Narnia series-the Voyage of the Dawn Treader between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Since our grandson and I were cruising by the mall right after 11:00 am we decided to drop by to see what was up, and perhaps purchase our tickets for the show sometime this weekend. Since this had been advertised as a “Chronicles of Narnia” carnival I expected perhaps some folks in character costume available for photos, and perhaps free posters and face painting of lions. Everything that would delight a six year old!

Well what was the carnival really? It turns out that Toyota had several tents set up to conduct surveys and test drives regarding their new plug in hybrid! Definitely not the same audience for the folks going to see a Narnia movie. Not exactly the “carnival” advertised! Shame on Toyota and KHTS!

Comments (8)

The King of SCVDecember 11, 2010 at 1:03 pm

Totally agree with you on this. I cant stand the tricky tactics used by car dealers to suck people in so they can get face time. My wife and I were at the orange county fair and got sucked into a 1 hour demo for Royal Elegance cookware. She thought (I could of cared less) we had the chance to win a $250 pot or grinder. Well, we got a 2 dollar metal disc with measures on it. No Pot, no grinder. The Queen and I couldn’t believe we feel for it. This would have ticked us off for sure today. Glad you shared Mr Myers! KHTS should take note.

SCVFanDecember 11, 2010 at 6:34 pm

Shame on KHTS! That’s totally lame.

petz2December 12, 2010 at 4:53 am

Petz wants to thank everyone, especially Jeff Wilson for the kind and gracious best wishes for his birthday this Sunday. Check out the new Nissan Leaf-sure the Toyota promotion was a counter attack on the introduction day. Bring back the forum please.

Phil EllisDecember 12, 2010 at 10:53 am

I like the Narnia movies and I could be in the market for a new car.

Mr PerezDecember 12, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Maybe just my opinion but this sounds alot like capitalism and marketing. Not as if they made you sit through a sale briefing before you could buy the tickets. Usually I just walk right past them if not interested.

ReaderMamaDecember 13, 2010 at 7:27 am

Luring people over to that location by advertising a “carnival” when there is no carnival is dishonest. Not a good way to promote the kind of goodwill car dealers need.

ToddDecember 13, 2010 at 6:16 pm

Define “carnival.” I betcha the “textbook” definition isn’t what you’re thinking…. In fact, I betcha my definition isn’t yours, isn’t the next guy’s. Although, I’m curious as to the exact wording of the mentions done on air… Also, I’m curious to know if there wasn’t more going on just a little bit later in the day.

Mr PerezDecember 13, 2010 at 9:20 pm

Maybe it was a car carnival at the showing of Narnia. There were tents there, hmmmm. Once again, what was lost by the consumer? Reminds me of what I saw at Ice Station the other weekend with their “Snow Day.” All the snow really was scraped up ice but everyone still made the best of it and had a good time.

The King of SCVDecember 11, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Totally agree with you on this. I cant stand the tricky tactics used by car dealers to suck people in so they can get face time. My wife and I were at the orange county fair and got sucked into a 1 hour demo for Royal Elegance cookware. She thought (I could of cared less) we had the chance to win a $250 pot or grinder. Well, we got a 2 dollar metal disc with measures on it. No Pot, no grinder. The Queen and I couldn’t believe we feel for it. This would have ticked us off for sure today. Glad you shared Mr Myers! KHTS should take note.
SCVFanDecember 11, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Shame on KHTS! That’s totally lame.
petz2December 12, 2010 at 4:53 am
Petz wants to thank everyone, especially Jeff Wilson for the kind and gracious best wishes for his birthday this Sunday. Check out the new Nissan Leaf-sure the Toyota promotion was a counter attack on the introduction day. Bring back the forum please.
Phil EllisDecember 12, 2010 at 10:53 am
I like the Narnia movies and I could be in the market for a new car.
Mr PerezDecember 12, 2010 at 8:17 pm
Maybe just my opinion but this sounds alot like capitalism and marketing. Not as if they made you sit through a sale briefing before you could buy the tickets. Usually I just walk right past them if not interested.
ReaderMamaDecember 13, 2010 at 7:27 am
Luring people over to that location by advertising a “carnival” when there is no carnival is dishonest. Not a good way to promote the kind of goodwill car dealers need.
ToddDecember 13, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Define “carnival.” I betcha the “textbook” definition isn’t what you’re thinking…. In fact, I betcha my definition isn’t yours, isn’t the next guy’s. Although, I’m curious as to the exact wording of the mentions done on air… Also, I’m curious to know if there wasn’t more going on just a little bit later in the day.
Mr PerezDecember 13, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Maybe it was a car carnival at the showing of Narnia. There were tents there, hmmmm. Once again, what was lost by the consumer? Reminds me of what I saw at Ice Station the other weekend with their “Snow Day.” All the snow really was scraped up ice but everyone still made the best of it and had a good time.