Beware of Bad Holiday Scheming

Okay, so I've had my eye on an iPad Mini since they came out. Smaller device, new form factor, I just want to check them out, and could use one for testing purposes. So I've noticed that on the Apple website when you try to make a purchase during the holidays around Black Friday that the really cool *new* items aren't on sale at all. They're at their regular prices.

So a couple of years ago I found a couple of ways around this. I've bought a few refurbished items from the Apple site at a considerable discount over the regular priced items. The idea of a second-hand, handheld device like an iPad, anything with a keyboard, and even Smart Phones skeeves me out, but luckily when Apple refurbishes an iPad or iPod they actually replace all of the pieces that you would touch with new parts (meaning you're not going to get a scratched touch-screen). This is cool because I can't bring myself to pay full-price for something I don't feel is worth it, and I'm sorry Apple, they're cool devices, but you're paying substandard wages to the people who make them, and they're imported so I shall not reward you. So that's one way to beat Apple at their own game (they still make the money, but not as much from me).

Another way is to check out Best Buy because when they have a Black Friday sale they DO put the Apple items on sale with the other items. This is great for things that aren't yet available as a refurbished item on the Apple store and for things like Apple's horrible excuse for a non-laptop, the Macbook Air (more about that at some other time), that WOULD be nasty to get as a refurbished item if they don't replace the keyboard. Having worked as a network administrator I can truly say YUCK!

So this brings me to the reasoning for this write-up today. Working in advertising and marketing for much of my career (my day job) I've developed a quick eye for bad math and tricks of the trade. Today I received and email that says "Save $25 on your Next Purchase when you use Store Pickup for an Order of $250 or More" at Best Buy. Here's the image from their email:

Seems like a good deal. I can save $25 on that not-yet-refurbished iPad Mini, which amounts to a little less than local sales tax, but it's a savings of sorts... right?

Wrong again.

Apparently the people at Best Buy don't understand the meaning of the word "NEXT."

According to their site:

"Here's how it works

• Place an order of $250 or more on BestBuy.com on Wednesday, December 5 through Saturday, December 8.
• During checkout, choose Store Pickup and select your store.
• The savings code will be e-mailed to you FOUR TO SEVEN DAYS AFTER your order has been picked up in store.
• Redeem your savings code in store or online on YOUR NEXT PURCHASE.
• Note: not all products are available for Store Pickup."

So yes, you're not saving anything AT ALL on your actual NEXT purchase because you have to make a purchase of $250 or more NOW before they take their sweet time to send you your savings code. Then you get a coupon or discount code (I would hope in the form of a $25 gift card but probably not) only AFTER you've made your purchase for the full price. I guess this is what happens when you don't have a marketing budget.

Hey Best Buy give me a call if you need any help understanding English or possibly want to hire someone who isn't out to trick people.

Until later keep an eye out for trickery.