Our Policies

Things to Know

Changes | Creative Control | Refunds | Communication | Air Time

When we create your Cheap TV Spot, we TAKE CONTROL of the creative process. We realize that this kind of "let us handle everything" approach just plain isn't for everybody.

Cheap TV Spots® are carefully crafted for their psychological, sociological, and emotional impact on your potential customer. We really don't believe in tinkering with "The IDEA" once it's done.

We tell everyone this up front, but we still hear from some folks who want to play director after the fact, and make... "changes".  Of course, we might start barking when we hear this, so be forewarned!

If you're anxious to take the reins on your television production, you're probably also inclined to perform your own brain surgery.

You're also probably not going to like it very much that we won't let you look through the camera lens or put make-up on an actress.

If that's the case, then you may want to check out some other advertising agencies, and find one that will let you get in the middle of things, and hose up the ad, but good.

Just kidding; we know you mean well...

Still up for it? Read on.

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Production Options

Changes Policy

Each Cheap TV Spot is produced as a complete, ready-to-air television commercial or infomercial. You receive a Video Proof (a copy of the completed commercial production, sent to you as a Windows-friendly Quicktime clip with a watermark, indicating this is your view copy) - so you can preview the commercial before it goes on the air.

If you'd like a Quicktime of your commercial to use on your website, post to YouTube, or use in your email campaign, we can do that, too. See our Production Options.

We are compelled to give you the following official-looking notice:

WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ERRORS AND OMISSIONS REPORTED DURING OR AFTER AIRING.

Obviously, if we didn't set some sort of limit on changes, some clients would never stop asking for them... we'd never get the spot on the air, the client wouldn't get their TV exposure, and we'd all go broke.  So, changes fall into two categories: FREE, that is, what we're willing to do to the ad at no extra charge, and A LA CARTE, which is a pay-per-change service.

FREE: As part of our hyper-discounted service, we include, free of charge, a limited set of changes that our clients may request prior to airing:

• One (1) round of simple changes, only where needed:
  1. Telephone number IN TEXT
  2. Web address IN TEXT
  3. Physical street address, company name, logo IN TEXT
  4. Typos and bloopers (example: misspelled word, incorrect offer, etc.) IN TEXT
  5. Simple visual element changes, as determined by the editor
  6. Price change, addition or deletion IN TEXT
  7. Change audio volume on music or voiceover (no script changes) 

We are (somewhat) happy to accomodate more extensive changes.

A LA CARTE: HONESTLY, WE'D RATHER GO WITH OUR ORIGINAL IDEA THAN TAKE YOUR MONEY TO CHANGE THE SPOT. After all, it's a precisely engineered communication, and everything's there for a purpose. Any work that goes beyond the scope of FREE changes (outlined above) is priced "a la carte"; that is, you pay as you go, and the actual price depends on how hard it is to make your change. The director and editor have sole discretion on pricing and execution of such changes.  Here are some examples of A La Carte changes ( not a comprehensive list):

• A La Carte changes start at $599 per change:
  1. Changes to voiceover narration in audio such as adding and removing spoken words, changing spoken contact information, company name, or slogan. Due to the cost of changing spoken dialogue (re-hiring voice talent and editing), we recommend against spoken phone numbers, web addresses, prices, and so on, in most cases.
  2. A second version of the same spot, but with different contact information, price, offer, etc.
  3. Stylistic changes to the "look and feel" of the commercial, but retaining the majority of the current visual, graphical, or special effects elements: starting at $599.
  4. "Refresh" of your existing Cheap TV Spot to keep it interesting: starting at $599.
  5. Addition or change of special effects. Fee per effect.
  6. Replacement of music score (not recommended; often involves re-editing of the video portion of the spot to match the timing of the music).
  7. Stylistic changes to "look and feel" that result in substantially re-building the ad. Cost equivalent to creating a NEW commercial, that is, starting at $1,999.

We really don't believe in tinkering with "The IDEA" once it's done.  We'll tell you this up front.  And, there are some things we simply won't do. We can go only so far before the changes add up to a whole new commercial.

That said, you've seen your Video Proof, and you really don't see any typos or bloopers, but...your ferret-walking business has transformed into a telephone cleaning service, and you really, truly need to change the commercial.  A La Carte lets you make those after-the-last-minute, tactical changes.

If it's not a typo or blooper, more like a "fix" but not quite a "do-over," A La Carte may be for you.

Creative Control Policy

WE'RE A "LET US HANDLE EVERYTHING" KIND OF COMPANY. The client lets go, and just lets the Cheap TV Spots® team get to work.  When we do your Cheap TV Spot, we listen to you first -- get a feel for what you need to say.  From there we take over the look and feel of the production, using our best Hollywood-bred judgement on what presents your message best.

HANDS ON: Also known as hand-holding, we do offer Production Options that allow more interactivity with the Cheap TV Spots Team, starting at the "Classic" level. These more interactive productions enable you to review the concept we've developed for you, and have pre-production input.

Honestly, most agencies offer hand-holding to make a client feel secure, but in reality, these services simply cost more money, and create endless debate among you and your partners, bogging down your business as well as the TV production. Usually, when their hand-holding client sees all the bits and pieces in a rough state,the client despairs about just how it's all going to turn out, and worries that the ad could be a piece of crap. Ultimately, with all the added client input, you most often do get a commercial that's crap - one that suffers from "too many cooks."

On the other hand, when clients don't see the bits and pieces beforehand, they are often pleasantly surprised at how good their finished Cheap TV Spot looks. Besides, we do confer with you beforehand, so you get to pour out your inspiration to our producers, who will incorporate the best of your ideas.

Regardless of the Production Option you choose, the Cheap TV Spots Team takes control every step of the way. Under no circumstances do we allow clients to sit in on editing sessions, and we never send out "rough cuts" or semi-finished versions of any production to soothe your savage curiosity. It just wouldn't be right...

• Hands-On features (The Classic™ and above) include:

  1. Script Concept Approval. If you really want to know in advance whether the Cheap TV Spots Team "gets it" about your product or service, and you want a formal description of how we plan to tackle your project, please order the Classic level or above.
  2. Script approval. If you are part of a corporation, or license materials, trademarks, etc. from a third party, you may be required to offer the script to this third party for approval. Trust us, you'll know if you need it. You should order the Classic Plus, Ultra-Spot or Cinematic level. Please note that, due to the highly flexible nature of TV production, a script may have to be altered slightly even after approval has been granted.
  3. Storyboards. For clients who really want the full-on, hand-holding process, we offer a package that also includes storyboards (professionally drawn illustrations) of the main shots in your commercial. Due to the time and labor required for these drawings, we offer this type of service only through our Ultra-Spot and Cinematic levels.

Refunds Policy

Refunds...refunds.  Here's the thing.  NO.

If you want the option of asking for refunds, we recommend you go with a retail-priced agency.

We want you to be satisfied with your Cheap TV Spot. We work hard to ensure you receive a quality product that you can be proud of.

Technically speaking, as a hyper-discount service, we cannot provide refunds after commencement of work.

Why? Two words: time and resources. When we create a Cheap TV Spot, lots of time (work hours) and resources (equipment & supplies) are expended to create the best looking, most effective spot. People are funny; they expect to be paid for what they do, and pronto. One way we are able to do the magic we do is that we pay our bills promptly and fairly.

Things would be different if getting a TV commercial produced was like ordering a plate of spaghetti at your local eatery. If you sent us your spaghetti back, we'd be fine with a refund -- heck, we'd kick in a free drink next time you visit, just for your trouble. A plate of food is pretty cheap.

TV production, on the other hand, is what people in the Industry call "a giant pain in the ***". Even with our Super Secret Streamlined System, we jump through some hoops. Remember, we operate on a "bare bones" budget -- which is pretty tough for dogs.  Once your ad is made, it's made.

Still, it's not a bad deal, when you consider that your entire production costs less than what you'd shell out just for the retainer at those retail-priced agencies.

Communication Policy

Cheap TV Spots® communicates with its clients primarily via e-mail and Fax.

You must have a reliable e-mail address and working Fax system to work with Cheap TV Spots.

Cheap TV Spots® strives to provide prompt and courteous communications with all of our clients, and in return, we expect the same courtesy from our clients. We reserve the right to refuse service to any individual or company, within the guidelines of state and federal law.

Air Time Policy

Note: Air time is a commodity. The rates provided for a particular network or program do not guarantee that the quoted air time will be available for that price in the future. Estimates do not necessarily reflect the future price or guarantee the availability of future air time. The networks decide what will air and at what price when the completed TV commercial is submitted and approved.

HOW WE WORK - All air time is pre-paid. We listen to you: who you need to reach, where you need to be seen, and how much you can afford. Then we find the best buy based on factors such as demographics and optimal per-airing rates for networks in the desired location. Then we place your air time order, and make all the arrangements. As always, when you get a high-quality commercial made with Cheap TV Spots®, our air time assistance is included. Just set your airing budget, and let's go!

NO LONG-TERM CONTRACTS - Unlike the networks and most other agencies, we won't lock you into a long-term monthly billing cycle of air time. We let you pay as you go, because this allows you, the entrepreneur, to be light on your feet, and respond quickly to your marketplace. No agonizing credit check, no long wait to find out if you qualify.

AIR TIME RESEARCH FOR NON-CLIENTS - Research is a time-intensive endeavor. We offer our research services to non-clients who are creating a marketing budget or business plan. Our Air Time Research service starts at only $99 per network, daypart or show.

Client-submitted TV Commercials - Have a completed production ready for airing? All television commercials must pass network "clearance" - a subjective content and technical review by the network or TV station. If you have an ad you want to air, you may want our Evaluation service. For just $99, we'll have our editors check out your production and let you know if your production is truly ready for broadcast - and we can get it in shape for you if it is lacking in some way (it happens more often than you might think).

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