[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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