Terrible Business Names or Slogans
Discussion
What have you seen that makes you think 'why?'
There's a windscreen firm that used to run with the slogan, "Show us your crack". Funny? Perhaps. But seriously? There's a degree of different horses for different courses, but then you have those who change the spelling, like 'Kawlity Kars'. WTF does that achieve? It's not quirky; it's not clever and it's not even tongue-in-cheek... or am I being harsh?
What business names have you seen to make you question the thinking behind it?
There's a windscreen firm that used to run with the slogan, "Show us your crack". Funny? Perhaps. But seriously? There's a degree of different horses for different courses, but then you have those who change the spelling, like 'Kawlity Kars'. WTF does that achieve? It's not quirky; it's not clever and it's not even tongue-in-cheek... or am I being harsh?
What business names have you seen to make you question the thinking behind it?
I've always been amused by the painters and decorators firm Patel & co.
" You've tried the Cowboys, now try the Indians."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/1066942...
" You've tried the Cowboys, now try the Indians."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/1066942...
Glassman said:
but then you have those who change the spelling, like 'Kawlity Kars'. WTF does that achieve? It's not quirky; it's not clever and it's not even tongue-in-cheek... or am I being harsh?
Maybe, but I'm with you: I have an aversion to firms with odd spelling, like using a 'Z' instead of an 'S' at the end, or similar to your 'Kawlity' example...just makes me think they are thick, even though they may not be. Slightly off tangent, but there used to be an advert for a window company and they did it as if the window fitters were singing it, in a sort of audience participation style...sounded like a team of cowboys so I went elsewhere for a quote.
There is a coach firm that I see around London from time to time, Impact Coaches, or Impact Travel, I'd think twice before using them.
There used to be a Chinese restaurant in Mile End Road, the name was Foo Kyew, I imagine that gave northerners a laugh.
More than 20 years ago, there was a women's hairdresser in Deptford, London, called The Blow Job, there are apparently quite a few women's hairdressers called Curl Up and Dye.
The Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney Street, Chelsea draws a lot of laughs, its name is Phat Phuc, but apparently it's pronounced Pat Puck.
There is a divorce lawyers firm in Dallas, TX, Ditcher, Quick and Hyde.
For me, the pièce de résistance is Kuntz Detective Agency, Malvern, PA.
I have a photo somewhere of me, standing by the sign in the mid seventies, hair down to my shoulders, God Bless America T shirt, Emiliano Zapata moustache, flared jeans, I look like a roadie for the Eagles.
Edited to add, the sign on Upton Park, (I think it was), station, may have been Plaistow station, that advertised Maycock's Laundry; Don't Kill Your Wife, Let Maycock's Do It.
There used to be a Chinese restaurant in Mile End Road, the name was Foo Kyew, I imagine that gave northerners a laugh.
More than 20 years ago, there was a women's hairdresser in Deptford, London, called The Blow Job, there are apparently quite a few women's hairdressers called Curl Up and Dye.
The Vietnamese restaurant in Sydney Street, Chelsea draws a lot of laughs, its name is Phat Phuc, but apparently it's pronounced Pat Puck.
There is a divorce lawyers firm in Dallas, TX, Ditcher, Quick and Hyde.
For me, the pièce de résistance is Kuntz Detective Agency, Malvern, PA.
I have a photo somewhere of me, standing by the sign in the mid seventies, hair down to my shoulders, God Bless America T shirt, Emiliano Zapata moustache, flared jeans, I look like a roadie for the Eagles.
Edited to add, the sign on Upton Park, (I think it was), station, may have been Plaistow station, that advertised Maycock's Laundry; Don't Kill Your Wife, Let Maycock's Do It.
Edited by Frank7 on Thursday 17th August 23:44
Anything punny.
A Couple Of Tools on a joiner's van. There must be a million of painters ones etc that I can't think of just now.
Hairdressers are also bad for it.
A Close Shave
A Bit Off The Top
Curl Up And Dye
Hairport
Hair Today...
Scissor Sisters
etc etc
But my favourite(?) was Facelook. A beauty place in West Lothian, complete with Facebook font.
Slogans?
Any variation of no job too small/no job too big or small/big enough to cope, small 'enough to care/all [insert trade here] work considered. Turgid 'that'll do' style b
ks from numbskulls.
Or cheesy guff like 'serving New York, London, Paris, but mostly Renfrewshire'. Hilarious.
A Couple Of Tools on a joiner's van. There must be a million of painters ones etc that I can't think of just now.
Hairdressers are also bad for it.
A Close Shave
A Bit Off The Top
Curl Up And Dye
Hairport
Hair Today...
Scissor Sisters
etc etc
But my favourite(?) was Facelook. A beauty place in West Lothian, complete with Facebook font.
Slogans?
Any variation of no job too small/no job too big or small/big enough to cope, small 'enough to care/all [insert trade here] work considered. Turgid 'that'll do' style b
ks from numbskulls.Or cheesy guff like 'serving New York, London, Paris, but mostly Renfrewshire'. Hilarious.
OldSkoolRS said:
Maybe, but I'm with you: I have an aversion to firms with odd spelling, like using a 'Z' instead of an 'S' at the end, or similar to your 'Kawlity' example...just makes me think they are thick, even though they may not be.
Slightly off tangent, but there used to be an advert for a window company and they did it as if the window fitters were singing it, in a sort of audience participation style...sounded like a team of cowboys so I went elsewhere for a quote.
The irony is strong in this post.Slightly off tangent, but there used to be an advert for a window company and they did it as if the window fitters were singing it, in a sort of audience participation style...sounded like a team of cowboys so I went elsewhere for a quote.
Tyre Tread said:
OldSkoolRS said:
Maybe, but I'm with you: I have an aversion to firms with odd spelling, like using a 'Z' instead of an 'S' at the end, or similar to your 'Kawlity' example...just makes me think they are thick, even though they may not be.
Slightly off tangent, but there used to be an advert for a window company and they did it as if the window fitters were singing it, in a sort of audience participation style...sounded like a team of cowboys so I went elsewhere for a quote.
The irony is strong in this post.Slightly off tangent, but there used to be an advert for a window company and they did it as if the window fitters were singing it, in a sort of audience participation style...sounded like a team of cowboys so I went elsewhere for a quote.
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