The latest gimmick to get shoppers to buy furniture during the summer doldrums comes from Bernie & Phyl’s, a small Massachusetts furniture chain. They are offering to refund the price of all furniture you buy until August 22 if the turn out for the 2016 presidential election equals or exceeds 75%.
With a particularly contentious election at hand with what some would call two polarizing candidates, it is far from clear if we will have a big turnout or a small one.
But maybe history should be our guide.
*MOUSE PRINT:
According to the United States Election Project from the University of Florida, whose data will determine the official turnout for purposes of this store promotion, since 1948 when they started keeping track of these statistics, there has never been a turnout even close to 75% or more.
MrConsumer has always railed against promotions that incorporate chance into the offer because that comes pretty close to the definition of an illegal lottery: paying a price for the chance at a prize.
So, if you need furniture this August, look for the best deal and don’t count on the election results to turn your purchase into a freebie.
If Bernie doesn’t get the nod, he gets a 3rd house as a consolation prize. Bernie and his doppelganger have a lot in common.
The insurance to buy to even run this contest is probably so cheap it was worth the attempt.
As soon as I saw the stipulation there was no doubt in my mind that it would not happen this election year.
Any informed consumer would know that this promotional event is meaningless.
Seeing the Graphs of Voter turnout since 1944 and the highest turnout rate over last 70+ years was about 64% way back in 1960 i would say this is a 100% win for the retailer and 100% lose or consumer.
Better to wait for it to go on sale as if you go for this one your paying full price.