Monday, March 28, 2011

Promotions Make Strange Bedfellows

Reader Robert sends in the following head-scratcher of a promotion: Hamilton Radio Shack offers free gun with new Dish Network service
When driving down U.S. Highway 93 through Hamilton, there's no need to do a double-take when you see the sign hanging above the Radio Shack Super Store. You read it right. Customers who buy Dish Network will be rewarded with a firearm.

There's even a picture:

Now, they're giving away a Hi-Point 380 and an unnamed 20 gauge (NEF single shot I'd wager), but even at that, how freakin' expensive is the Dish network that a $100-$150 giveaway helps Radio Shack break even? I mean, I suppose it's no different than the furniture stores that give away a flat screen TV with a $1200 living room set, but still...


And I'll refrain from commenting on the Radio Shack/Hi-Point correlation...


That is all.

5 comments:

Justin Buist said...

"Now, they're giving away a Hi-Point 380 and an unnamed 20 gauge (NEF single shot I'd wager), but even at that, how freakin' expensive is the Dish network that a $100-$150 giveaway helps Radio Shack break even?"

Looks like you can get $120-$140 for signing somebody up with Dish Network. Makes sense -- DirecTV gives existing customers $100 for a referral. So, $120-$140 for an actual reseller doesn't sound too far out of line.

Now, I doubt they're paying retail for the gift certificates for the guns. What's the dealer price on a Hi-Point .380 or an NEF 20 gauge? Probably closer to $75 than $125.

I'd wager the gun shop and Radio Shack have somewhere between $40 and $50 to split after the Dish Network rebate. Heck, the gun shop might be doing it at cost just to get another customer in the door.

Dave H said...

Heh. When I was in high school the local gun store -was- the Radio Shack. Back then Ratshack would let anybody buy a franchise. It was a fun place to spend an hour.

Sideburns said...

I live near Hamilton and a friend of mine wrote this article.

Sometimes its good to live in Montana, heck most of the time it is.

bluesun said...

Ahhh... Montana, how I love you.

curbside visionary said...

My Mom lives there! Lots of local business do promotions like that. You also get discounts for being an NRA member. And to think this place is just 6 hours across the border from me!