Just got this email...
Days ago I reprinted a Craigslist ad offering to pay people to line up outside the sales office of a new condo development in Burnaby. “We need people to hold spots and line up for a new condo project located in Burnaby (Kingsway/Willingdon Ave),” it said. “Line up may start as early as weds/thurs night. Grand opening is Saturday February 19, 2011. Warm beverages and washrooms will be provided by the developer. Shifts are determined on how long you would like to stay. (preferably 8 hours+) Get paid cash quickly for sitting in a line up!”
This, of course, is reprehensible. False advertising, meant to misled people and create an untruthful situation. Until, of course, illusion becomes reality. That apparently happened last night when a TV crew from Global showed up, and footage hit the air of anxious buyers ready to mob the latest dream building. By Saturday morning this charade may actually have created demand in Canada’s most delusional market.
Jen works nearby. This is her report:
“When I went to work Tuesday morning I noticed a bunch of people at the empty lot and wondered what was up. Through the morning, the crowd/lineup grew. At noon, I noticed the porta-potty in a parking lot behind an adjacent building. An hour later it was gone (I kinda wonder if we should call the employment standards people – after all, I think it was in the job offer). The line grew by 50% from what was there at 9:30, so at 2:45 when I left, the lineup stretched beyond the length of the adjacent building. By 4, they were erecting tents (like very nice party tents - fully enclosed) for the people in the lineup exposed to the rain. When I went back to work at 8 there were flood lights for the people now in the tents. And alas, when I left at 10, the floodlights were extinguished, but several police cruisers were in attendance
“A co-worker went out and spoke to the people in the lineup at lunch. When asked what they were in the lineup for, the first two people in line didn’t know. A little further down the line, someone said they were waiting to buy a condo. When asked if one of them were going to buy a condo, the guy said no, but his friend beside him was going to buy one. Asked if they were getting paid to stand in line….answer…no! Upon leaving the project with a loud comment from my co-worker “hope you guys are getting paid well for this”, the answer from one “not bad, not bad”.
“I’m horrified and can’t believe that we live in such a society. But from 15 floors across the road, it’s very entertaining! And…there is the possibility of snow on Thursday night or Friday! I think I might try to sell coffee at an inflated price.” |
發表於 2011-2-16 17:00
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