A TV commercial from Quiznos caught MrConsumer’s attention a couple of weeks ago. They were promoting a lobster sandwich, but the lobster looked funny. The pieces were uniform in shape, and looked more like tater tots than lobster pieces.
A second viewing of the commercial and freezing it explained all.
*MOUSE PRINT:
There is only 51% lobster in the fish portion of the sandwich. But to their credit, they did not call it “lobster sandwich” but lobster and seafood sandwich. And the only way that “lobster” could come first in the name is if the sandwich had (slightly) more lobster than “seafood”.
I would be more disappointed by this is it was not explicitly called “Lobster and Seafood”. Since both lobster and seafood are in the name consumers shouldn’t really be expecting 100% lobster.
And they did label it in the commercial. This is the classic case of “read the fine print” we got here.
In some places they call it “ocean magic”. Typically it’s a crab meat substitute. No way would I ever pay for a lobster sandwich at Quiznos, Subway or D’Angelos. They will never match the taste or quality of a lobster sandwich that you either make yourself or get at a shack in Maine.
Anyone been to Quiznos lately? Our local Quiznos raised their prices substantially a couple of months ago. We used to go there often. Not so much anymore.
Panera Bread sold a Lobster Sandwich, in select markets, for $17. This was 8 oz of real lobster, for $17. This was high priced. I had it twice last year in the summer. I snuk in a two beers, that I had in a paper bag. The two of us had a great lunch. We sat on the outside chairs. with it. It was most enjoyable!
I don’t see anything wrong with this advertising, but I still have to wonder is is REAL lobster meat in the sandwich/salad???
Mr. Consumer does have a really sharp eye! It was the second time I watched the Quiznos lobster sandwich video wherein I finally spotted the “51% lobster” wipe, at the bottom of the screen. But with all the current publicity about how restaurant seafood isn’t really the type you ordered, substituting cheaper fish, don’t you wonder if that 51% lobster is even real lobster? Considering the pricing of the three sizes of sandwiches offered, I wonder if it’s crab as someone else pointed out. Prices, here in Southern California: small: $5.69; regular: $6.99; large: $8.49.
Compared to the typical Mouse Print* finds, this one really doesn’t bother me. It’s advertised as “lobster & seafood” and contains lobster and seafood. Frankly, I’m surprised it’s even 51% lobster.
I agree with Charli on this one; this one’s actually a bit…well, honest compared to some of the other sneaky fine print/whatever. I actually commend Quizno’s for being at least moderately honest about the chunks of fish in the sandwich. This kind of makes me think of the Nantucket Nectars debacle published here a while ago; I guess companies actually check this blog and learn from others’ mistakes and gaffes.
While this ad is “honest”, Mouse Print’s goal is to point these little things out and raise consumer awareness, so regardless of deceptive or not this is still fine and helpful.
Edgar replies: Al… How wonderfully well said. Sure, while many times the fine print is nasty and reveals a deceptive practice, other times it is merely eye-opening, instructive, or funny. Thanks for posting your comment.
‘don’t know about this….however, our local Quiznos in Laurel, Mississippi will not accept Quiznoz coupons. So…we stopped eating there.