Craftmatic/ Contour taking advantage of elderly?????

photo of elderly lying down - This photo shows an elderly couple lying down on a bed.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
May 29, 2008 2:32pm CST
I was watcing Inside Edition when they reported on the sales tactics of the Craftmatic company that makes beds, they are now selling under the name of Contour- which is why I added that in the title. Apparently Inside Edition planted camera's and hired a 71 year old actress to play a potential customer. Both men were shown using the same tactic- lowering the price- until the customer says yes, they stated out at $6,990 and ended up at about $3500 with the first one they showed using scare tactics such as the bed improving the customers health- or their deceased loved ones would want them to purchase this. They also went undercover to the training that these salesmen receive to learn how to sell the beds. The instructor was shown teaching scare tactics, forcing customers to re-activate credit cards, and even using shredded checks from the customers trash can, with ALL these customers being the elderly. A quate from her is "If they ain't crying, they ain't buying."One saleman sold a bed to a customer that was nearly blind- by holding his hand to the place on the many contracts they had him sign for the bed. I think this is OUTRAGOUS! People take such easy advantage of the elderly here in the USA and I have to ask WHY? I mean do they not understand they one day WILL BE the elderly??? Such a shame! I just had to share it with my mylot fam! What are your thoughts about a company such as Craftmatic that have been found to take advantage of our elderly? Have you had any experience with cratmatic saleman?? If so, please share.
2 responses
@gwoman2 (710)
• United States
29 May 08
Wow, I was thinking of getting this bed, although I know for a fact that I cannot buy anything expensive without my daughters approval, as it should be...they already think I'm ready for a Home LOL Only kidding mylotters, only kidding. Seriously though, I think I will report this to Consumer Affairs...let me get my hands on this story...I will keep mylot friends informed. Thanks V :-) ~G~
1 person likes this
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
29 May 08
Yeah it was unbelievable to me to see the actual video footage of helpless elderly being taken advantage of by these salesman. I included a link here to the story so you can check it out for yourself. http://www.insideedition.com/news.aspx?storyId=1391
• United States
29 May 08
Actually, I have to play devils advocate here. There are a number of people who are not elderly at all who use these beds for health reasons. There are many people out there who suffer from forms of sleep apnia that are not able to sleep in a horizontal position and must sit up in bed to sleep. I, personally, do not own one, but I recommended them to a friend who was forced to sleep in a room seperate from her husband for more than 5 years because of health issues. He had to sleep normally and she had to sleep sitting up. They bought one and are now sharing a bedroom for the first time in years. Now, as for salesmen taking advantage of people.... that's been happening for years on end. Salesmen, are, in my mind, some of the most dispicable creatures on the earth and many of them have no scruples at all when it comes to who they sell to and what they sell. This is NOT exclusive to Craftmatic and it's not really fair to focus this problem on one company. This kind of crap went on long before Craftmatic even came into existence. I'm not saying that they don't do it too, but they're not the only ones! As for why they do this? Two reasons... lack of scruples or morals and the lure of the all might DOLLAR! It sucks, but it's true!
1 person likes this
• Atlantic City, New Jersey
29 May 08
Dutchess, With all due respect- I appreciate you taking the time to post- but I feel it necessary to respond with the following: As far as playing devils advocate- I'm all for it. BUT please read the post throughly before you play. "This is NOT exclusive to Craftmatic and it's not really fair to focus this problem on one company." If you are implying that I am making it exclusive to Craftmatic- That is not the case, as I have stated that I was watching a TV show that reported on it. I had nothing to do with it- I only found enough interest in it to post it here for my friends who have elderly they care for to be careful of this type of thing. Yes you are correct- most salesman are there to make a quick buck- no matter at who's expensse- but in this case- I feel it my duty to enlighten those around me about what I have found- so it does not possibly happen to them or someone close to them. Again thank you for posting and have a great day