Theft with a smile
If you were asked by a total stranger " hey bud, would you loan me a couple of bucks? When you ask "what for" the man tells you that he wants to put it in a special savings account or invest it in the stock market. When you ask him how much he wants he say's not much, just a a couple of hundred or so. Will you give it back to me. Oh sure he says.Well how long will it take before you give it back? I promise I will probably
give it back in a couple of months or so. Are you going to share the profits you make with me. No, i'm going to keep it for myself. Well, am I going to have trouble getting it back, I mean, am I going to have to chase you around and hound you for my money. No No No, Really, I just need it for a couple of months. Well, if it's my money and your are going to use it, what do I get in return. NOTHING!! Ok, sounds like a good deal to me, where do I sign?
Of course you would'nt. Not in your wildest dreams. If that is true, would you please tell me what the difference is between the above senario and a "Mail in REBATE!.
Not only are mega corporations getting the consumer to "lend" them a little extra money for each purchase but it has even trickled down to the local grocery and convience store.
Candy bars now have a "mail in rebate attached to the sale. Save $1 with our mail in rebate. The small print tells you that you have to buy a dozen or so when you send in the proper paper work.. with the top portion of the bottom wrapper, the bar code from the North east corner of the South west section along with the store name and number, your third cousins mechanics shoe size and the answer to Einsteins theory of relativity along with two original receipts.
For additional "terms and conditions please go to www con man stealsalot.//weou0wegotchaanduwillneverseeadime.org. or call 904 443445 5555. for freindly operator assistance 24/7 unless you get a recording leave message. Hey! I just wanted a candy bar.
I have heard all kinds of reasons/excuses for the Mail in Rebate. Intelligent people have told me: Well, the company has a deal with another comany that has to make a part and they need money so the first company can build the product that the second company supplies the part for and they (second company) has to buy material from a third company.
On national television a company rep said "rebates are necessary because it prepars the consume for an inevitable price increase".
The mail in rebates are a scam. Period. I don't care what the reason is for any rebate. The point is that when I am forced to pay a rebate I am out of pocket x amount of dollars. This is a classic example of how the consumer is losing control.
If I want to buy a certain computer that has everything I want I can only buy it and pay the surcharge, the mail in rebate. If I truly want the product I don't have a choice other than not buying . You don't have a choice. Question..Who has control? The corporate entity does.
The rebate scam comes in several versions. See "Retail Scams"