Retailers Offer Free Jewelry, TV’s To Lure Customers

Online jeweler Stauer is offering a $249 amethyst necklace for free--provided customers pay the $24.95 it costs to ship it. (AP)

We’ve not even hung the Halloween lanterns and retailers are already thinking of ways to lure us in for Christmas shopping.

How about a $249 amethyst necklace for free? All you have to do is pay $24.95 in shipping.

That deal is from the online jewelry store Stauer, their president Michael Bisceglia told the AP they’ll lose money on the deal but with a similar offer in the past, customers bought more jewelry. Bisceglia says “in this economy, you have to be outrageous.” And other retailers are following suit.

More Deals Offered:

The southern furniture chain Rooms To Go is offering free 3-D TV’s with the purchase of a dollar amount of furniture
Nordstrom is offering free shipping on most orders
Sears will match– and beat– lower prices that customers find online (the offer only stands for prices of retailers that have physical locations)

Guest:

Britt Beemer, chairman of America’s Research Group, a research marketing firm

We welcome comments from all of our listeners. Post below. Please stay on topic and be civil. Comments may be moderated by us, but you are solely responsible for the content of your comments.

GoLong

There is no way it costs $24.95 to ship it! It is a gimmick to place a $249 “value” to get our attention. I am sure within their $24.95 to ship it covers the actual cost of the necklace itself. I doubt they are making money but also doubt they are losing money. In essence it is free advertising for them… smart of them but don’t try to fool us with placing a $249 value on it. Probably sourced from China!
Alfred

Any kind of scam conceivable is used to “lure” the consumer to buy something they probably don’t need.
Its all about parting you from your money.
As long as you are breathing and kicking, someone wants your money. This is the nature of the parasitic capitalistic system. Constantly looking for markets.

What the consumer with any common sense can do is simpley THEN THE TV OFF.
Its nothing more than ELECTRONIC HEROIN.
But as Voltaire said: common sense isn’t so very common.
Alice

My husband got suckered into this scam and the necklace is not even worth the “$24.95″ shipping and handling cost! Stay away from this fraudulent company. I am also surprised that a reputable news program would become a advertising vehicle for this fraudulent business. It is because of the NPR program, my husband blindly turned off his common sense in judging the offer. What a disappointment!
http://www.glenrayjewellers.co.uk/jewellery/necklaces?material=850&adjclear=all Ruby Necklaces

Nice chain.Definitely given me something to think
about.Some interesting thoughts on the subject.