Re: Rebates are Hell


"Too_Many_Tools" <too_many_tools@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1127704553.548498.166530@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> The concept of "rebates" became popular in the 70's.
>
> If the retailer would reduce the price at the register, they leave
> themselves open to being caught having to maintain that price if the
> government imposes price controls as Nixon did.
>
> With a rebate, a company can pull that discount at any time and doesn't
> have to continue it. It is the same reason why car companies don't just
> lower the price of a vehicle...if they did and were caught in a price
> control move they would have to continue selling it at a severe
> discount.
>
> But again since most people don't pursue the rebate, it is easy money
> in a company's pocket.
>
> TMT
>
It is a rare thing to see rebates on grocery items and clothing. However
Coca Cola recently had a rebate offer which required one to peel the UPC
label off individual bottles in a 6-pack and guess where the glue held the
label most securely! But rebates are a way of life for electronics retailers
such as Best Buy and Circuit City. I have not seen price controls around
for a long time so I doubt that is now an issue. I would suggest that
rebates actually increase prices because companies must operate and maintain
rebate centers.

Alex


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Yo! David Maynard! (Was: Rebates -- Best Buy rebate scam)
    ... Corporations know exactly how much they made on the 'lazy ' consumer, ... Because they aren't 'lowering the price' and if you really want to see ... about 'sales', 'special offers' and 'rebates', they generally expect price ... its a stroke of the pen that puts all things well in accounting. ...
    (alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt)
  • Re: Yo! David Maynard! (Was: Rebates -- Best Buy rebate scam)
    ... Corporations know exactly how much they made on the 'lazy ' consumer, ... raise the price now that I'm 'hooked'." ... I see how you get that impression from my colorful, limited, example but, no, I'm speaking of products in general because, while people are sanguine about 'sales', 'special offers' and 'rebates', they generally expect price stability, or feel something's amiss. ... inconvenience unto the consumer. ...
    (alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt)
  • Re: Will Rebate Wonders Never Cease?
    ... their claims even though all criteria for the rebates were fulfilled. ... Your reading of something 'sinister' into her 'instant' reply could be explained by a quite rational policy. ... They have better timing flexibility and are obviously a 'temporary deal' that avoids the buyer angst of 'the price was lower but NOW THEY RAISED IT" when the intent WAS a 'temporary deal' and not a price change. ... Not to mention what the heck does one do with tons of sales literature, price sheets, discount contracts, web pages, and all the rest for a "price change" that will revert to the original again in 90 days? ...
    (alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt)
  • Re: Good and Bad Canon
    ... advertise a price, hoping they won't have to honour it. ... the entire amount, not on the amount after rebate, as opposed to collecting ... a smaller amount on a sale price. ... them to hire the fulfillment firm to deal with the rebates, ...
    (rec.photo.digital)
  • Re: Rebate Question
    ... > Because marketers have learned that rebates stimulate sales with less ... > cost than price decreases. ... benefit a store, but I imagine it figures in somehow... ...
    (rec.photo.digital.slr-systems)