Nofsdad
Joined: 06 Jul 2003
Posts: 7090
Location: Central CA
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject: The spend now, freeze later concept
|
|
|
Ever watch one of those nature films where a bunch of hyenas and a bunch of vultures are fighting over some strings of dead rotted meat on a carcass?
Retailers Try to Grab Dollars Ahead of Utilities
| Quote: |
Retailers are looking to drive holiday sales early before high home energy prices force consumers to put the brakes to spending.
Companies, including L.L. Bean, Radio Shack, Old Navy and Wal-Mart, began advertising and promoting sale prices and special deals, such as free shipping on internet orders, earlier than usual, say industry experts.
Rich Donaldson, a spokesperson for L.L. Bean, told The Boston Globe, ''We decided to make a meaningful offer (free shipping on all orders) at a time when consumers are likely to be faced with increased expenses for energy and heating. It comes at a considerable expense to us, but we are being aggressive and believe that offering it early on will outshine other offers coming from competitors." |
So the intent is to get you to spend your money, well actually to run up a ton of credit card debt now, so that when the oil companies are able to resume their gouging on the basis of increased demand for heating when the cold weather finally sets in, you won't be able to afford your utility bills?
And the American public is going to go for this by snapping up a ton of cheap assed Chinese gimcracks now, knowing that their energy bills will go to hell again when it gets cold and the current fingers pointing at the oil companies are directed elsewhere?
The answer to #1 is "yes" and the answer to #2 is "most likely". We Americans are notorious for allowing ourselves to be led around by the nose by fancy ad campaigns and cheap gimmicks.
| Quote: |
| Sabrina Joyce, a consumer who lives in Lynn, Mass., told The Globe she had noticed the increased promotional activity by retailers. ''This is the first year of my life that I'm out shopping this early," she said. "I'd rather get the shopping done now before my bills come. The gas and oil have gone up so much, it makes you stop and think, especially if you have a family." |
Sheesh lady! You say you're out shopping early this year so you can get it done before your bills come? It apparently didn't make you stop and think for very damned long, did it? Those bills are still going to come and they're still going to be bigger than the bills you had last winter and I'm betting that you haven't paid off your credit card debt from LAST Christmas... er. holiday season... yet. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?"
Lord, some people would improve the gene pool simply by leaving it. Maybe this one will freeze to death this winter and the collective IQ will go up two points.
|
|