"Limited Time Offer" pressures?

[Korth]

High Pressure Sales Techniques

"Limited-time offers pressure customers who are on the fence to buy something without thinking. Even among customers who might not otherwise buy a product, hearing that a product might not be available tomorrow can be a game-changer. Salespeople may also use this trick by telling you that a discount will only be around for a limited time. Related to the limited-time offer is the limited availability tactic. If you believe that there are only five items available, you'll see them as more valuable, increasing your likelihood of buying."

I keep asking myself why is mobile data so precious, so much in demand?  Why do so many people eagerly, unthinkingly grasp at any "better" mobile data offer that's thrust before them?

I admit that I'm trolling a little here.  But I honestly can't understand why people are willing to throw away their loyalty to something proven because something "better" suddenly becomes available "for a limited time".  Maybe I'm too cynical, "if it's too good to be true..." and all that usual cynicism.  Certainly I've noticed those who suffer most are always those who want immediate gains and the easiest path to get more for less.  Sure, if I see a deal for "5000GB of mobile data for $5/month" then you bet I'll look into it - quite seriously! - but I'd evaluate it both in terms of what it gives me and what it takes from me.  Seeing "this exclusive one-time offer expires soon!" automatically sends up warning flags that there's a catch and something in the fine print is somehow too good to be true to be taken at face value - the offer wouldn't need to rush a decision if it could sell itself on its own merits after a period of careful scrutiny, analysis, and contemplation.

And we're talking about mobile data here.  Maybe Koodo offers 5GB for $40 right now zomg!  But maybe they'll offer 5GB next week or next month, maybe they'll offer 6GB.  Maybe 10GB.  I don't get why the rush.  It could only be because I hate being rushed (as much as I hate being made to wait - I like doing things at my own pace, lol).  Just saying that letting a "limited time" offer slip by might be a lost opportunity but chances are another (probably better) offer is sure to come along.

[Korth]

Those are good answers, lol.

As far as the future of PM goes ... well PM will live on, Telus will pump money into it if they have to revive the brand, Telus won't kill it without a series of big important corporate restructuring announcements which phase it out over time.  (Maybe those who choose to sink with the ship will find themselves needing new plans with a new carrier really quick, but I'm sure Koodo promos would come to the rescue again, or they wouldn't and the competition would happily fill the void with whatever offers are necessary to gather stray customers.)

Although PM has changed and is continuing the change.  There might be a point where they evolve into the same species as every other carrier, but again I think such changes (especially in light of their recent botched promo and CCTS scandal) would proceed slowly enough that we (and all of PM's competitors who want our business) would get adequate warning.

[torontokris]

Fair point. But in canada telecom deals are far between. You miss it they barely ever come back. The promo deal was cancelled before Black Friday which people held off thinking a better deal on BF but didn't happen.

Sure are other deals may come but who knows when. Others are worried what the future of PM and this plan is now so they want to leave since a deal came. 

Blame lack of competition in Canadian wireless and/or customers willing to pay $100/month for a Rogers plan and a $1200 iPhone 

[Korth]

Nobody ever willingly accepts a worse offer - unless they didn't understand what they were getting into or they just had no better choice.

As long as PM customers have active plans and no impending threat of those plans getting shut down there's no reason to give them up for anything worse.  Only for something better.

[mimmo]

Or a worse one