This entry belongs under the Pet Peeve department. It was bad enough hearing about this product on the television and on the radio. Being spammed by their advertising department has pushed me over the top, especially now that I am receiving multiple spam messages from them per day.
The product, from the Star Council, is having a star named after someone. First, let me state that as far as I know, their advertisement is completely legal and contains all the information plus they deliver everything that they promise. What bothers me about this is the misinformation that is implied.
First piece of mis-information is that they give the impression that they, the Universal Star Council, has the authority to name stars. Their advertisement never states this and they do state that this is a novelty gift.
Second is the statement “the star name will be recorded in book form at the U.S. Copyright office.” that I hear on their TV and Radio ads. Again, this statement is absolutely correct. My question is how many people understand what they said. Basically, its states that they will write a book that states that the star’s new name and publish it. Self-published books get recorded at the U.S. Copyright office, fiction and factual books.
Now, to play the devil’s advocate, the Star Council delivers everything that they promise, a certificate, a star map, information about the start and instructions on how to find the star. The instructions can be considered educational.
All in all, I feel that this company and their product prove’s the famous statement “There’s a sucker born every minute.”
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October 25th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Have you ever heard the old adage…”it’s the thought that counts?” Not all of us are suckers, merely think it’s a lovely way to commemorate someone we admire greatly. I’m only glad my recipient was not as cynical as you!
April 2nd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I do not believe that all the people who make use of the “Star Council” services are suckers and I apologize if my original post implied that everyone who buys their product is one.
My primary issue is that the “Star Council” advertisement is highly misleading. They do deliver exactly what they say they do, at least I assume so not knowing because I have never named a star through them. The problem is that they make it sound like they are officially renaming stars for their customers.
So long as you understand exactly what they are selling, I have no problem with you purchasing their product. The gift definitely last longer than roses and can be just as sweet. As you said, it is the thought that counts and their product can bring a smile and a bit of happiness to some.
What I would like to know is how many people who named a star through them actually think that they are purchasing an “official” name change for that star. They are the “suckers” that I referred to in my original post.
My other issue with the “Star Council” is that their emails spam. No matter how valid or important a product is, I do not like or believe in spamming.
June 11th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Looks like your doing a good job with this blog.
January 29th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
Cool post…can you tell me where Overlay.TV showed up on that list? We were trying, but also trying not to be spammy…
January 29th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Hi Polar 14,
Not sure why a search for Overlay.TV turned up this set of postings unless the term is hidden in headers. References to TV would be the commercials for the misleading advertisement. Not sure if the term Overlay matches anything here.