OK, in the chaotic midst of moving out of the country, I had the children design their own Father's day cards a week ago, and of course they got packed. So, I took them to Safeway, then CVS to buy a card. I have not done this in many years. I was beyond shocked at the poor quality of Father's Day cards available. AND the worst part was that so many use FOUL language. AT THEIR LEVEL??? I don't even know how many times I read the word A$$hole, in Father's day cards, placed exactly at their viewing level. What is happening here in America? What is happening by Hallmark and card companies and the stores that carry this nonsense? Yes, I understand that there are many substandard father's amongst us, but I doubt their kids are buying cards. My kids love their daddy and it was slim pickings. And let me not even get into the ridiculous price I paid for the cards we did find....well, OK....$3.99 plus tax...and these are the average priced cards...OUCH....$18 dollars later I realize I've been bamboozled out of a lot of $$ and time. I would have rather taken Dad out for ice cream with the kids with that change.
My question? I would like to lodge a formal complaint. To whom? With whom do I start? Do I repeat my rant above?
Anyone here ever lodge a social complaint?
While greeting cards ARE expensive, you're not forced to buy them. I took my son card shopping and saw none of what you described.....
I don't know... but i agree 100% with you. I was shopping for a card for my own dad, and had my 8 yr old daughter with me. I had to leave before she "happened across" the one I picked up (on the BOTTOM row) referring to men's favorite golf item... TIT TEES. I am not joking. We left immediately and I didn't send a card. I just called him on the phone. And $4 for almost every card out there these days? Good grief. If they live close enough to see them in person.. by all means... save the $18 and buy him a pair of movie tickets with it.
In my statistics class, they told us that a call to your congressman is worth 1200 votes. A letter to your congressman is worth 5000 votes. Why? Because only 1 out of 1200 people will feel stronly enough about an issue to find out who their congressman is, and call him to speak their mind. Only 1 out of 5000 voters will feel strong enough about an issue to look up their congressman and get his address, write him, get anenvelope, put a stamp on it and actually mail it.
The same applies to the card companies. The more people that take the time to write to them and the more of the profane cards they don't sell, the more likely they are to change. Complain to the local store manager and find out his boss' address (e-mail and street) and phone number. Do the same with the card company. Write the CEO and copy the Board of Directors.
The card companies have almost completely lost my business because of what you mentioned. I used to buy my wife 3 or 4 cards for our occasions. I'd buy humorous as well as serious/romantic ones. I'd spend well over $100 per year on cards. This year I'll spend less than $20.
Good luck to you and yours.
I was a paper buyer at one point. You need to complain to the card companies. Look at the cards and see which company the cards are made by. They are the ones that send out people to stock the racks. The stores do not stock or restock the cards at large stores. I am sure they have standards that those types of cards are to be placed up high on the displays. Whoever set them up did not do their job.. OR the cards have gotten moved around when the cards sell out on the bottom rows.
The junky magazines? I would let the stores know that you would like "family friendly aisles" that do not have these magazines stacked there or that they have covers to block these magazines.. I used to turn the mags around if I saw things that were not appropriate at our child's eye level.
Our neighborhood stores now has a few "family friendly" aisles available so that these items are not placed there.
I don't know whom to complain to either, I guess you could say that I've lodged my complaint by not buying premade cards (with the exception of sympathy cards - thankfully the card makers have the good sense to leave *those* alone and not make them R-rated!). I stock up on blank cards in different colors when they're on sale at the craft store or in the dollar bins at Target, and since my 8YO daughters love drawing and creating designs with things like wrapping paper scraps, it's easy for us to make cards when we need them. (added bonus - their parents and grandparents find these homemade cards to be much more special than any store-bought one :-))
Not sure who you would lodge a complaint. The only thing I can think of that you might do is find each cardmakers website and write them individually. I agree 100% that cards have gotten way out of hand. I fortunately did not have my children with me when I happened across those type of cards (was shopping after work). I ended up buying one card from both kids for my husband. Next time I will save myself the money and have them make them or do a special treat.
A big part is WHERE you shop for your cards... at CVS they won't have as much as a selection as, say, Wal-Mart. (Where they have a few aisles of cards, sorted into holiday, age-appropriateness, who it's intended for) ~here I will probably go against popular belief~ but, while they do make a lot of cards for children to give to their fathers, they are also catering to the more "mature" crowd... sales are sales. Personally, I have bought my dad cards with foul language, because they were funny, and we are both at the age we can handle it. No one is forcing anyone to buy a card they feel is inappropriate, and as for the viewing level... Kids will see the same thing walking through a movie aisle, books, television... they are going to be exposed so all you can really do is teach them not to "stoop to that level" when they see those things.
In my opinion, a handwritten card from your kid is a million times better than a Hallmark card anyway.
A$$hole on Father's Day? Tacky. Write Hallmark, or whatever company made the cards, and tell them they should get some new writers.
Perhaps to CVS or the card company directly. I've actually thought about lodging a complaint to pharmacies and grocery stores for the trash magazines they place on the counter at children's eye level. When I was having my son, my daughter was 8 and asked me about how the baby got in my belly so we had a light discussion about where babies come from, no problem. The next week we went into CVS only to see the pregnant man on every magazine cover on the counter. As I was making my purchase, I noticed her eyes absorbing it all and she immediately started to question what I had told her. I was horrified. I don't understand why those magazines sit right there at children's eye level. If I wanted to explain to my daughter about the pregnant man, it should have been MY choice, not that of CVS!
I never buy cards anymore and I hate to get them and my family knows to not even bother. The kids make me cards, which I keep. All other cards I barely read and throw away. I think the price on them are ridiculous. I even have my husband convinced that if he HAS to buy me a card it better be from the Dollar Store! So that's just my 2 cents. Good luck!
I have not bought a Hallmark type card in many years. We either make them, print out on computer or buy gift shop types with art or photos on them. It really is a rip off and most people I know prefer something less mainstream. Here's the deal though, those cards must be selling. Hallmark is there to make money and judging by the space greeting cards take up in many stores business is good. Vote with your wallet and just don't purchase them, if enough people do that you can be sure they'll change their content!
I NEVER buy cards anymore, what an utter rip-off!! If I'm inclined to spend at least $2.50 a card, I personalize it by making one on Shutterfly with my own words and pictures. They are a huge favorite with the grandparents -- and my husband loved his Father's Day card that we made on Shutterfly yesterday, too.
Otherwise, I make them and I've purchased an assembly of cool papers, stamps, etc. from Michael's to do so. I haven't been down a card aisle for a while, so I'm just as shocked as you are to hear what's on the cards these days. I guess I lodge my complaint by no longer purchasing cards in a store, but I would write a letter to the card company AND the store that sells them if I were so inclined.
I believe it was your choice to buy them. We also make our own cards. Its horrible that the money and quality of cards on the rack. I make sure I tell mine every year, do not waste one dime on buying me a card.
I do see your point and know why this upsets you. So send a letter and see what happens.
Lodge a complaint to the card company AND the store that provided the cards. CVS already has slim pickings. I spent $18 at Mother's Day there and wasn't realy happy with any of my cards. Next year it's Walmart or Target or the grocery store.
This year for Father's Day, we MADE cards too. We actually made a little photo booklet out of brown paper bags. They were adorable. I called one "Grandpas Brag Book" so he could take it to work if he wanted.
My husband tossed the cards he got minutes after reading them, so yes - just make your own. Or go out for Ice Cream and put little post-it's all over the house for him instead of buying him a card that he'll just read once.
Good luck with your formal complaint. I agree that the R-rated cards need to be at ADULT eye level or higher. These are awful. What a way to tell dad we love him. I personally didn't see any of these bad ones. The worse I've seen has to do with farting and that's no big deal I don't think. But what do these awful types of cards teach our children --- nothing that I want to teach them.
Every Father's day I have a hard time finding any card that is not outright insulting. It doesn't matter where you shop, the card companies seem to think Father's day is about farting, drinking, sex, asking Dad to hand out cash, being addicted to golf, and/or Dad is referred to as being just plain stupid. I don't think it's amusing at all. I love my husband. He's a great father and my partner in life. He's a complete sweetheart and I find ways to tell him how much we love and appreciate everything he does for us. Complain to Hallmark and other card companies. The store is only selling what is available to sell.
I would look at the back of the card, see who made it and get on their website. Most companies have a "contact us" section.
All long as people continue to buy this ____@____.com, they will continue to make it.
Like the other posts, I refuse to buy cards. Most are embarrasingly cheesy and the prices are ridiculous. We make ours, too.
Having said that... I'm going to completely change course here...
I live in the Kansas City area where Hallmark is based and I have many friends that work at Hallmark. It really is a family oriented company (believe it or not!) and they contribute alot to our community centers and schools.
Given the competition that they have with other card companies and the internet, they would want to know if you are unhappy. If it was a Hallmark card that you got, I don't think it would be a waste of time for you to contact them. And yes, give them your post from above. They may even compensate you to keep you as a customer. Good luck.
