Sears Finally Throws Its Weight Around
Submitted by advisor on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 7:33am.
Sears has followed Hyundai with a Buyer Protection Program which takes the Hyundai program one step further.
Sears will give appliances free to consumers who buy an appliance(s) (total value greater than $399) with a Sears card, and then lose their jobs, and stay unemployed for 1 year, and during that year are found quilty of spousal battery while under the influence of alcohol, and as well are treated by an unlicensed dentist for stress related oral grinding and grinding related problems such as tooth fracture, and also see no less than 80% of the last hour of Regis and Kelly while wearing pajamas. For consumers who lose both their jobs and their homes, Sears is providing appliance boxes.
Unlike the automotive industry with it's highly developed second-hand market, appliances have limited value once the box is open. And repossessing an asset located in the basement......who wants to do that?
If there's going to be a Buyer Protection Program in appliances, free appliances would just have to be the final hook.
Sears Buyer Protection Program Website
S.O.S (Same Ol' Sears)
With volume down dramatically, and Home Depot and Lowes nipping at their heels, I'm sure the folks at Hoffman Estates have had plenty of "Out of the Box" brain storm meetings to try and turn the tide. The customer who is concerned about losing their job and is using the Sears card for a $ 399 + purchase is probably making a (necesaary) replacement purchase of a commodity brand, and is a likely candidate to jump the Sears ship and take advantage of 12 Months Free Financing at a Big Box. Sears has 12 Months Free as well (through their exclusive agreement with Citibank) but I'm sure that program carries a hefty cost and this program probably pencils out a lot cheaper (thanks to all the disclaimers). By the way, Advisor, did you notice in the (long) list of disclaimers that the customer has to keep an original (or copy) of the sales slip, and send Sears monthly proof that they are unemployed, through no fault of their own, and remain registered with a licenced Employment Agency. Anybody that organized probably wouldn't lose their job anyway.
Cohiba Same ol' Sears
A new gimick is born every day trying to take someones money away. Do you really think that average consumers read the fine print, even if they do it still has no bearing on the sale. Just think, how many sales will be made by getting more customers into there stores. I don't think you understand its all about marketing.
Hey Guru
Cohiba has forgotten more about Marketing than you will ever know. Give him some credit..It is well deserved.
Hey Guru - 2
Stallion ... thanks for the compliment .... Truth is, at my age I"ve forgotten more about everything than some people will ever know. If I hadn't allowed this dang computer to remember my password, I probably wouldn't be writing this now.
Cohiba
Hey..I've got the same problem with the computer. Problem with me at my age is I do remember alot,except what happened 10 minutes ago !!!!! Take care.
Hey Appliance Stallion
You speak as if you know me . You don't , so with that said, please hold your remarks until you do. I've been reading your analysis of on going appliance industry challenges and quite frankly have not seen any solutions that will drive the appliance Industry to new heights.
Oh Yeah....
Don't think you know me but I know your kind. Do you launch balloon rides ? I also think I know the industry quite well thank you.There is no easy answer by any one person but surely your questioning of Cohiba and now me is off base .Do something of substance in the industry. You attempt to criticize people of culture,stature and intelligence ? Keep it respectful and full of class.Tongue in cheek is fine. Not foot in mouth. Shame on you.
No kidding !
Guru .... give me a break ...of course I understand that's it's all about Marketing! And no, I don't think consumers read fine print. And yes, I think Sears is just trying to find another gimic to drive people into their stores and keep them from buying their next Refrigerator from Home Depot or Lowes. However, I do think that if they want to keep them in their stores (once they drive them in) somebody needs to convince Mr. Lampert to turn loose of some Capital and modernize their locations.
Buyer Protection
This service has been around in Canada for years. It was sold as an insurance policy incase you got laid-off. It would cost 3% of the outstanding balance per month and would only be applied if you were unemployed for more than 90 days.