Check out the image above of a special offer from Firestone Tires. The offer says that “when you buy a set of four (4) qualifying Firestone tires you may be eligible to get a 7-night vacation of your choice at one of 1,800 locations in the U.S. and Canada* or a $70 Firestone Visa® Prepaid Card**”
Are they really giving a week long vacation to everyone who purchases 4 tires? Why even offer the choice of a $70 gift card? Who in their right mind would pick 70 bucks over a 7 day trip?
Sounds too good to be true.
Upon a closer look it just might be.
If you really look at the offer, you will notice that it is filled with more asterisks than the Major League Baseball record book.
Among the fine print you will find the following:
- The offer is only good for purchases during a short window (May 15–June 30)
- Your vacation locations are limited (7-night stay can only take place at a time-share resort)
- Your family must be small (maximum of 4 people allowed)
- You’re on the hook for the price it takes to get there (prize excludes travel costs).
So let me get this straight…assuming that I need tires inside a 45 day window, my “prize” is to pay a lot of money to travel and sit through a boring presentation about a time share property I may not even be able to afford?
I am beginning to think the $70 gift card might just be the better option.
Is this a deceitful deal or magnificent marketing?
On one hand, the marketing worked. The 7 day vacation offer got my attention. I started to think about buying tires as I pictured myself on a beach somewhere.
But on the other hand, isn’t there something wrong with promoting an offer that isn’t quite what it seems? Won’t people feel tricked when they learn that the 7 day vacation isn’t all it is cracked up to be?
I am no marketing expert, but I know a guy who is. I would like to propose these questions to fellow Attention Lander Aaron and get his thoughts.
Aaron, is this a sneaky deal or fair game in marketing?
