"Free" iPad

[Cookie]

"When I signed my phone contract, I got a free iPad! My payments for the first year are $95 a month, and next year they'll go up to $120, but thats ok because I'll have a raise by then."


Luckily they thought my shocked face was because of how awesome it was.

[r3dt4rget]

"When I signed my phone contract, I got a free iPad! My payments for the first year are $95 a month, and next year they'll go up to $120, but thats ok because I'll have a raise by then."


Luckily they thought my shocked face was because of how awesome it was.

They need a raise to handle the $25/month increase next year lol

[barbaz]

Wow. And I thought my friend was mad because he pays "30€ a month but it's OK because I get a new phone every 2 years". Sure. My phone is 7 years old and I'm paying 10€ per year.

[Friar]

Sometimes the offers I see, such as a free iPad or free PS4, are worthwhile when you do the math. But only if they were a planned purchase or you can pawn it off at full price to someone who was buying one new.

Mostly though they are used to convince less savvy people into signing another overpriced contract.

Cookie reminded me that I got an email through the other day from my ISP informing me that I had been "specially chosen" for an iPhone 5C for only £20 a month for two years with a not attractive data plan. Come now, guys. If you're trying to entice me at least make it:
1) a decent price
2) more data included
3) a phone that isn't nearly two years old!

[psinguine]

The entire concept behind "buy this item (for slightly more money than it normally costs) and get this other, unrelated item for free" are bogus beyond compare. No, I am not buying one item and getting a second one free. I am, in fact, buying two things. It is functionally identical to claiming that if I buy a car I get the windshield FREE!!!

[slugline]

"Free gift with purchase" is one of the most enduring mind-control phrases of marketing. :)