"complete", a continuing annoyance

Posted on April 1st, 2007 by Scraps.
Categories: Words, Untruths.

We recently got a DVD player that can play discs from any region. The main immediate reason I wanted one was to get the Complete Secret Policemen's Ball box. So I looked at a couple customer reviews. You guessed it: not complete.

In particular, it is missing the single piece I wanted most: Lenny Henry's monologue as Trevor Nettleford involving cat flaps, babies, and James Bond.

Looking a bit further, I find that the "complete" Mr. Bean is also shorn of a couple crucial sketches.

I don't understand why they are allowed to get away with saying "complete". It's one thing to be misleading, but there is no wiggle room with the word "complete". It is an absolute. How can it be legal to market these products this way?

Sigh.

6 comments.

ethan

Comment on April 2nd, 2007.

Perhaps these are the same minds that feel the need to modify "unique" by putting "very" in front of it?

Lizzie

Comment on April 3rd, 2007.

That's really infuriating. At least you found out from reviews and not bitter experience, but I know you still want that piece.

I came by to post something different, actually: sometimes I'm kind of slow to adapt to technology, and I haven't done much song downloading. But yesterday I found and downloaded a song I've been wanting to hear again since the 70s. There is a peculiar bliss when you hear a certain song you remember and have wanted to hear. I still like it, too. (It's Avenging Annie by Andy Pratt.)

Scraps

Comment on April 3rd, 2007.

Funny that you mention that song. I had never heard of it, or Pratt, till a few months ago, when a lost-music advocate uploaded a bunch of his stuff. I like it quite a bit.

Velma

Comment on April 3rd, 2007.

"Avenging Annie" was covered by Roger Daltrey on One of the Boys and is probably on the greatest hits collection.

Lizzie

Comment on April 3rd, 2007.

I'll look for his other stuff - this is the only song of his I know. It was a local hit in LA when I lived there.

I have a vague memory of the Daltry version...I'd like to hear it, but it's not the one I remember.

Scraps

Comment on April 3rd, 2007.

Pratt's great-grandfather, incidentally, founded the Pratt institute.

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