[mythtv-users] Re: The OfficeMax hard drives we all talked about

Billy Macdonald whmac33 at yahoo.com
Fri Mar 26 19:46:41 EST 2004


--- "Kevin D. Snodgrass" <kds.mythtv at cox.net> wrote:
> Joseph A. Caputo wrote:
> > On Wednesday 24 March 2004 13:38, Garry wrote:
> > 
> > [snip]
> > 
> > 
> >>As a guy from England, I have no idea what this rebate thing is all
> >>about! (Well, ok, I can guess)
> >>
> >>Sounds like a lot of hassle. Is it just a scam to get lazy people to
> >>pay more? Not looking for a flaming, just curious as we have nothing
> >>like that over here... But then again, I pay more for my goodies.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Yep, you've hit the nail on the head... mail-in rebates are a way that a 
> > manufacturer (or reseller) can advertise a lower price than what you 
> > actually pay at the cash register.  In order to get the rebate, usually 
> 
> I think you are missing the number one reason for mail-in 
> rebates: Junk mail.  They have your mailing address, you 
> will now get junk mail.  They sell their accumulated 
> addresses to, oh maybe, AOL (probably via 1+ middlemen) and 
> AOL sends you "AOL 27.0 Advanced Super-dooper" on CD.
> 
> > Needless to say, companies that offer mail-in rebates count on a certain 
> > percentage of them never being filed due to laziness, forgetfulness, or 
> > incomplete applications.  So the short answer is "yes", it is just a 
> > scam to get lazy people to pay more :-)
> 
> No, it is a scam to get people to "opt-in" for more junk 
> mail.  My former roommate, a marketing type, explained it 
> all to me years ago.
> 

I'm pretty sure using rebates as a loss leader is quite common as well.  How
many people go into best buy for that awesome hard drive and end up buying some
batteries and maybe a movie on an end cap on their way out.   Getting people
into the store I would imagine is the hardest part of doing business.

Billy

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