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Macy’s Memorial Day Sale — “No Exclusions”?

macysexcsmall21Whenever Macy’s prints percent-off coupons, they are usually loaded with exclusions for product categories and brands to which the advertised discount does not apply. But according to their latest circular for Memorial Day, there are no exclusions for their 15% coupon.

*MOUSE PRINT: The fine print under the words “WOW! NO EXCLUSIONS” says that that applies to all sale and clearance apparel only.

Further down the ad, it becomes clear that the discount is not even 15% off on all apparel despite the words “NO EXCLUSIONS ON APPAREL” just above the “extra 15% off” claim.

*MOUSE PRINT:

macysexclusions

So certain apparel is only 10% off, and “specials and super buys” are excluded altogether.

Turning to the inside of the circular, we find Sunday and Monday only deals.  And guess what, the coupon is not good on any of these items, even the apparel. [Disclaimer enlarged below.]

*MOUSE PRINT:

macysexc2med

To add further to the confusion, in a full page ad in the main section of the newspaper on May 24 (which was printed weeks after the pre-printed circular above was), Macy’s advertised the 15% coupon, but with all the usual exclusions listed.

*MOUSE PRINT:

macyexccoupon2

So, who knows what is discounted and what is not. While the exclusions for this sale (if they exist) are possibly fewer than most any other Macy’s sale, they certainly have taken a bit of liberty in promising “no exclusions.”

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Travelocity Price Guarantee: Don’t Expect a Refund

For nearly a year, Orbitz has been advertising “Orbitz Price Assurance” that guarantees airline ticket purchasers an automatic refund if someone else books the exact same flights on Orbitz as you did, but for less money.

Not to be outdone, Travelocity has just introduced “Travelocity PriceGuardian” which applies to airfare and hotel packages, not just to airfare as the Orbitz plan originally did. [Since Travelocity added air/hotel packages, Orbitz added hotels to its guarantee.] The Travelocity plan promises to refund the difference if another Travelocity customer books the same package at a lower price.

travelocityguarantee

On the face of it, you might say what a good idea. But stop and think about it (and read the terms and conditions).

*MOUSE PRINT:

If another Travelocity.com customer books the same Flight+Hotel Vacation Package that you booked, meaning their Vacation Package contains the same flight and hotel combination (the same dates/times of travel, on the same airline/s, with the same flight numbers, for the same passenger type, itinerary, cabin, and subject to the same fare refundability, or other restrictions, and the same hotel and room type), and the price they pay is at least $10 lower than the price you booked, then Travelocity will refund the difference to you, up to a maximum of $500 per package.

What are the odds that ANYONE will book the exact same flights as you in both directions (same dates, same class) using Travelocity, and stay at the exact same hotel as you in the same priced room for the same number of nights? Slim and none.

Of course, the benefit is free, and should someone else meet these requirements and pay less (but not by using a coupon or other special offer), then you will automatically get a refund to your credit card.

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$500 of Free Gas Promotion UPDATE

bigotiresOver a year and a half ago, we warned about a retail promotion promising $500 of free gasoline  if you made a particular minimum purchase at the store.  Poorly disclosed in the advertisements were the facts that you also had to buy $2000 of gasoline ($100 a month for 20 consecutive months), submit proof of purchase monthly, and then get back $25 in prepaid cards each month after submissions were approved.

As it turns out, the deal was too good to be true, and thousands of consumers received nothing after submitting receipts month after month.  Complaints flowed into Florida’s Attorney General, and he filed suit last February against Tidewater Marketing, the company behind the promotion.  Many different retailers around the country advertised similar $500 free gas promotions, including some tire stores.

Now, a group of tire retailers that offered the promotion — Tire Kingdom, NTB (National Tire & Battery), and Big O Tires — is trying to make good with their customers.  They are offering restitution to customers who received a free gas certificate from them after buying a set of tires between certain dates in 2007 and 2008.

Those customers have their choice of receiving a $100 Visa prepaid card immediately, or they can participate in an alternative $500 of free gas promotion since they “retained a [different] vendor that we are confident will meet our standards and your expectations.”

Why are these tire stores doing this?  Maybe they have a conscience, and want to maintain their goodwill with customers.  Or maybe it is this:

*MOUSE PRINT:

NTB is offering these programs to resolve any claim that you may have with respect to the Tidewater $500 Gas Program. If you participate, you will have to agree that the new program is a substitute for whatever rights you may have had in connection with the Tidewater program. This will include releasing NTB and Tire Kingdom from any claims that you may have had as a result of the Tidewater program. This release is an integral part of the offer.

So, you have to sign a release and agree to drop any claims you have or could have against them arising out of the original promotion.  For Big O Tires, their motive is a little more immediate:

*MOUSE PRINT:

If you decide to participate in this alternate program that Big O Tires is offering in this letter, you will be giving up your ability to join the class action (should the Court decide to certify a class), as well as giving up your rights to bring a claim against Big O Tires or BOTK for claims involving the Tidewater Global Marketing program.

A consumer filed a class action against Big O Tire, and is awaiting court approval certifying the class.

In any event, although the offers being made to compensate customers are a bit self-serving, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.  Take whichever deal you prefer (noting that even with a different vendor, giving you $500 of free gas over the next 20 months is still a seemingly economically infeasible offer for the promotion company).  The deadline for signing up for the alternate program is May 15… so hurry.

Information and claim forms are here:  Big O Tires and Tire Kingdom/NTB.

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