This store has an advertisement for No interest, No downpayment, No payment at all until September 2006. Just what exactly is the deal with that? Here's a sofa, loveseat, end table and some lamps, take 'em. Then in 2 years, when they're all worn out and crappy, we'll start sending you the bill. And if you don't pay, someone will come to break your legs.
Seems funny that in a society where we have to have the best of everything we can afford, and then just a little more, that putting off payments would even be appealing. Just like leasing a fancy car. What moron pays that much a month, gets screwed at the end of the deal, then leases another car from the same company?
I guess what's funny to me is that if someone can't really afford to own something, why risk ruining your credit to have it for a little while? Couldn't you just go without for a little while, then outright buy something affordable..
I realize this is impossible in buying a home, or having a reliable car, but hey.. you know it's true.
Another thing that bothers me about the current state of things is how everything is getting more expensive when it should be getting cheaper. Particularly cellular service and broadband. Both services are nothing but gravy for the providers, but as other companies compete, everyone raises their prices. Why? Because consumers are so gullible and weak-minded to think, Gee, I really need a cellular plan that costs $70/month or broadband for $45/month that equates to $840/year or $540/year.
At least my broadband addiction is due to Comcast's monopoly on the market, which is soon going to end if EPB, Bellsouth and other companies have their way.
Finally, if my theory holds true that cell towers will soon be capable of carrying wi-fi access throughout their coverage area, we may soon live in a truly wireless age.
Posted by cmwillis at October 5, 2004 10:23 PM | TrackBacknothing we can say
Posted by: sdgad at February 24, 2006 1:18 PMThe whole idea behind the interest/pay free is to catch you so they can nail you with late fees and overdue notices. Ever notice how many of these places sell junk furniture? By the time you pay for it, it is falling apart. Just like paying $15K for a low-end car (Kia comes to mind). In 5 years when it is paid off, it's junk. It cost you $15K to drive 100K miles. A smarter buy would be to buy a $6K high-quality car used and drive it 100K miles and sell it for $2500. I have many times seen 200K miles out of my cars so I know it is possible.
Frugality has gone out of style... Funny but at the same time folks complain they can't make ends meet. Consider what people pay for monthly compared to 30 years ago... Internet access, cellphones, car payment to car payment (wear out one about the time they need another one), credit card interest, credit card debt (money spent on things they couldn't afford or didn't really need), etc. etc.
When I was young my oldest relatives made do without sometimes, or made what they had LAST. Now I know folks that buy a new cellphone annually.
Posted by: Chris at October 28, 2004 1:06 PMyou are all wrong comcast sucks terribly I love bellsouth they drop our rates often. Try bellsouth sometime I think you'll agree
Posted by: James at October 7, 2004 12:05 AMtrue enuf, but compared to bellsouth, comcast is wonderful, in my experience.
Posted by: bobw at October 6, 2004 12:39 PM"Comcast rules"--you gotta be kiddin'. In a free market, prices of popular and completely renewable goods and services should steadily go down as demand rises. In these instances the opposite is taking place. I have a cell phone plan with 100 minutes for $21.00 per month from 4 years ago. Now I can't even get a similar plan for a second phone.
Posted by: cmwillis at October 6, 2004 9:44 AMI know your rhetorical questions arent really meant to be answered, but what's wrong with buying something on credit? I need somewhere to sit in my living room, and if someone is going to give me an interest free loan and I can pay it off before they stick it to me, what's the big deal?
oh and comcast rules. best part: no yearly contract. bellsouth is right up there with big tobacco.
Posted by: bobw at October 6, 2004 9:09 AMmy broadband rate has gone down almost every three months, forget comcast Bellsouth is where its at.
Yeah I agree I can't stand people who buy expensive furniture I mean its a freakin place to sit, it shouldn't cost more than my car. As for cell phones I still have yet to find a use for the invention all together.