Video: Why everything feels like a scam now

FBPB · Jul 11, 2025

This popped into the side bar of YT... A young Canadian lass talking about how everything is essentially a grift or a scam today.

I've know this since forever (my father taught me about planned obsolescence why I was very young and I have worked in marketing being forced to roll the turds in glitter), but it's interesting to see a young woman realising this.

Soon, I hope more people will understand that you should buy items that you need or want based on quality and lifespan of the product, and not the "emotional connection" a product makes you "feel".

GoodWatch · Jul 11, 2025

This has been slowly creeping into our society as well. As I don't do social media, I'm safeguarded from all the 'influencer' bull feathers. That to begin with. Secondly, I'm at an age where I no longer need or want the latest 'flavour of the month' in clothing. I don't dress like an old fart but I very rarely wear jeans to give an example. My shoes come from a small factory on Majorca and are hand made, completely from leather (bar a small foam insert at the heel part under the insole) but also rather traditional. They can be resoled and easily last for ten years. And, they do not break the bank.

And that almost compulsory tipping has started here as well as some restaurants now use checkout terminals with them confounded pre-programmed tip buttons. In my country a law was passed somewhere in the early sixties to include both taxes and serving fees in the menu prices of food and drink. This was to ensure serving staff to receive somewhat of a decent pay. It is up to the discretion of the guest to tip. In my regular coffee place I always round up to the next Euro and the staff know this by now but they still make a comment on this. (I assume you want me to round up?).

What I also learned is that well known brands coupled with high prices does not automatically mean high quality. High margins for sure.

One of the biggest downfalls caused by the modern on-line economy is the decline of brick and mortar stores. At least in my city when it comes to stuff like audio equipment. In the Eighties (gather round kids, grandpa is starting his story telling again), I used to buy my (used in some cases) audio equipment from Audio Gallery. Two very knowledgeable and friendly owners that invited customers just to pop ‘round for a chat and a coffee. I still have the envelope with the invitation for their 5th aniversary party, there were vinyl granules inside as well.

But times changed, their store became much harder to reach (very little parking facilities) and they had to close shop. They tried again about four years ago but had to close shop again within a year. Now there is not one of those stores left. (The other good one moved to Delft but they are hanging on a thread now, I visited them last year). No one to ask questions to, to have a chat or just to discuss the sense or nonsense of audio gear. All gone.

Now I do as much research as I can while trying to avoid all those click bait influencer 'reviews'. And apply some common sense. When something sounds too good to be true it usually is.

The impulse buying is only reserved for watches

Reflex · Jul 11, 2025

We have become more alert and more weary at the same time.

As strange as that may sound, it's likely because there are so many scammers out there and people are being scammed so often that it (sadly) appears to have become part of life nowadays, with the result that we're much more alert to the possibility of a scam and weary of something that appears even remotely odd or out of place - almost to the point where honesty and reliability are being praised.

AtomicTom · Jul 11, 2025

This is such a great, as well as meaningful conversation guys, and hope that
more members will contribute some thoughts.

I can't thank you enough
for posting this up for us Hector !!! 🏆🥇 To tell the truth I think social media
is definitely one of the main causes for this. And it's because of the 'influence'
of not just influencers, but all of the friends, and family that people follow too.
Because I swear everyone seems to want to one up others, or say' look what
I got', or 'look where I am going'.

Honestly, so many people follow, or lead lives do to what they see others
saying, or doing, and don't genuinely use common sense right? They or
rather all of us, should spend less time wanting this, or that. And instead
give to others in time, in presence in their lives, and telling them how we
feel. Or just trying to make them smile in life. Or trying to be the complete
opposite of how the world has seemed to go in recent decades. But it's
tough though, because so many people seem to be stuck in 'the matrix'.
In any case, it's inspiring to see that some people realize what is real, or
true, and break free from the matrix. Or from being drones or followers
of the next big thing, or must have item.

One thing is for sure, it's always fun to talk about such things.

Thanks once again Hector, and all of you guys !!!

FBPB · Jul 12, 2025

AtomicTom said:
This is such a great, as well as meaningful conversation guys, and hope that more members will contribute some thoughts. I can't thank you enough for posting this up for us Hector !!! 🏆🥇 To tell the truth I think social media
is definitely one of the main causes for this. And it's because of the 'influence' of not just influencers, but all of the friends, and family that people follow too.

Hmm, bit of a grey area. Influencers are tools used by the marketing departments of companies (look at how often Teddy Baldassarre "discovers" a fantastic new watch brand that you have never heard of, he was paid a lot of money to promote it on his channel). So on reality, it is the marketing departments and MBAs who are the motivating force. The influencers are there just to get paid, hence why they are never, ever critical of a brand.

Compare Baldassarre to This Watch, That Watch, or Chronoglide.

AtomicTom said:
Because I swear everyone seems to want to one up others, or say' look what I got', or 'look where I am going'.

This is exactly why Rolex pivotted back in the 80s to become an "aspirational brand" that declares your status as having "made it".

Unfortunately, they now seem to be going the way of Harley Davidson as explained in this video. I can see it in the culture here, a young 20s male / females would rather have a Hublot than a Rolex or even Apple Watch now (those are their parents' watches).

This is very likely why Rolex released the Landdweller, which has an integrated bracelet (something that I think is completely new for them?). If the Tissot PRX is so popular with young people, then Rolex has to jump on the bandwagon to get a slice of the Young Wealthy Buyers pie, but the Genta Integrated Bracelet is coming to the end of the popularity cycle (it is, after all, everywhere now). I wonder if it will last.

AtomicTom said:
Honestly, so many people follow, or lead lives do to what they see others saying, or doing, and don't genuinely use common sense right? They or rather all of us, should spend less time wanting this, or that. And instead give to others in time, in presence in their lives, and telling them how we feel. Or just trying to make them smile in life. Or trying to be the complete opposite of how the world has seemed to go in recent decades. But it's tough though, because so many people seem to be stuck in 'the matrix'. In any case, it's inspiring to see that some people realize what is real, or true, and break free from the matrix. Or from being drones or followers of the next big thing, or must have item.

Indeed, it would be interesting to see a backlash against the onslaught of disposable everything that is offered to us. For example, I still have a pair of Levis jeans from the late 90s. The thickness of the cloth is incredible. Compare that to what you find in the Levis boutiques and the new stuff is utter shite, made to last a season or two.

But with how society is structured (look at me! give me likes!), any swing away from that will likely only happen if there is some major catastrophic event, such as a severe global recession or another world war.

There are some people out there who point out when something isn't worth it, or is a scam, the YT channel Thunderf00t used to do this (take his channel with a grain of salt. He used to debunk bad products and show a lot of science-based videos. In the past few years, he has posted almost only videos that criticise Elon Musk / SpaceX etc, but let us not enter into that discussion).

GoodWatch · Jul 12, 2025

The Oysterquartz came first (only 25,000 made):

Reflex · Jul 12, 2025

FBPB said:
But with how society is structured (look at me! give me likes!), any swing away from that will likely only happen if there is some major catastrophic event, such as a severe global recession or another world war.

I lean towards the view that the "look at me! give me likes!" crowd have become structured that way due in part to the way they are/were raised, leading to a lack of confidence, a decrease in personal innovative thinking, a poorly calibrated moral compass, easily succumbing to peer pressure and more, all of which feeds a seemingly insatiable need for recognition, a sense of entitlement, playing the victim when everything does not go their way and more.

GoodWatch · Jul 12, 2025

Reflex said:
I lean towards the view that the "look at me! give me likes!" crowd have become structured that way due in part to the way they are/were raised, leading to a lack of confidence, a decrease in personal innovative thinking, a poorly calibrated moral compass, easily succumbing to peer pressure and more, all of which feeds a seemingly insatiable need for recognition, a sense of entitlement, playing the victim when everything does not go their way and more.

In my opinion this is heavily fuelled by social (anti-social is more apt) media on which I have commented on numerous occasions. And because of that, the 'FOMO' level has reached dizzying heights.

But, and this is food for thought, if I take stock of myself I cannot help wondering why I post a new watch (or an ordered watch) in the 'Just Ordered / Arrived Today!' section. Do I do this to show members what watches are available on the market or do I crave peer recognition? "Look at me, give me likes!". An ego and vanity boost so to speak.

Reflex · Jul 12, 2025

GoodWatch said:
In my opinion this is heavily fuelled by social (anti-social is more apt) media on which I have commented on numerous occasions. And because of that, the 'FOMO' level has reached dizzying heights.

But, and this is food for thought, if I take stock of myself I cannot help wondering why I post a new watch (or an ordered watch) in the 'Just Ordered / Arrived Today!' section. Do I do this to show members what watches are available on the market or do I crave peer recognition? "Look at me, give me likes!". An ego and vanity boost so to speak.

The former imo.
There is a vast difference between showcasing/reviewing a purchase of a watch on a forum dedicated to watches compared to the lifestyle habit of "look at me" being discussed in this thread.

GoodWatch · Jul 12, 2025

Reflex said:
The former imo.
There is a vast difference between showcasing/reviewing a purchase of a watch on a forum dedicated to watches compared to the lifestyle habit of "look at me" being discussed in this thread.

I hadn’t thought of it this way. I never venture out on the Internet with watches outside the realm of WF. Mostly out of FOR (Fear Of Ridicule) 😀😀. I recently bought a small bust of J.S. Bach on a trading platform for used items, 15 cm high with a marble base. Perfect for where it stands now. That I share with my daughter and brother whom are both interested in such things. Indeed, no “look at me” behaviour.

AtomicTom · Jul 12, 2025

FBPB said:
Hmm, bit of a grey area. Influencers are tools used by the marketing departments of companies (look at how often Teddy Baldassarre "discovers" a fantastic new watch brand that you have never heard of, he was paid a lot of money to promote it on his channel). So on reality, it is the marketing departments and MBAs who are the motivating force. The influencers are there just to get paid, hence why they are never, ever critical of a brand.

Compare Baldassarre to This Watch, That Watch, or Chronoglide.

This is exactly why Rolex pivotted back in the 80s to become an "aspirational brand" that declares your status as having "made it".

Unfortunately, they now seem to be going the way of Harley Davidson as explained in this video. I can see it in the culture here, a young 20s male / females would rather have a Hublot than a Rolex or even Apple Watch now (those are their parents' watches).

This is very likely why Rolex released the Landdweller, which has an integrated bracelet (something that I think is completely new for them?). If the Tissot PRX is so popular with young people, then Rolex has to jump on the bandwagon to get a slice of the Young Wealthy Buyers pie, but the Genta Integrated Bracelet is coming to the end of the popularity cycle (it is, after all, everywhere now). I wonder if it will last.

Indeed, it would be interesting to see a backlash against the onslaught of disposable everything that is offered to us. For example, I still have a pair of Levis jeans from the late 90s. The thickness of the cloth is incredible. Compare that to what you find in the Levis boutiques and the new stuff is utter shite, made to last a season or two.

But with how society is structured (look at me! give me likes!), any swing away from that will likely only happen if there is some major catastrophic event, such as a severe global recession or another world war.

There are some people out there who point out when something isn't worth it, or is a scam, the YT channel Thunderf00t used to do this (take his channel with a grain of salt. He used to debunk bad products and show a lot of science-based videos. In the past few years, he has posted almost only videos that criticise Elon Musk / SpaceX etc, but let us not enter into that discussion).

I love how you seem to know so much about all of this Hector.

Or have such a grasp on why things are the way they are. Because
honestly, I think that maybe a lot of us see what you are talking about,
but you actually seem to understand better than most. And I sincerely
appreciate you not only shedding a light on things, but also you giving
your insight as well. ✨Because I genuinely think it a breath of fresh
air, as well as just very enlightening.

I feel like you as well as everyone posting in this topic, AND who are
members of WF have a ton of common sense. And that is something
that maybe is lacking nowadays right? So, I just wanted to say that I
truly appreciate this conversation, this thread, and I imagine that a lot
of others do as well.

Thank you so so much !!! And I will of
course watch your video later, but I will thank you for that as well !!!

Happy Saturday to you and everyone sir !

Video: Why everything feels like a scam now

FBPB

GoodWatch

Reflex

AtomicTom

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Reflex

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