Mail-in rebate????

Question

When U buy a cheap computer printer or home fax, you can sometimes get it for free after a rebate. Why would a firm sell you something for a zero price?

Answer 1

They make more money selling you the print cartridges for the printers or faxes than they make on selling you the machine.  So once they get you to buy the machine, they know they have a constant customer for the cartridges.

Answer 2

Well, this are special offers that retailers are giving you, trust me you have paid all the equipment purchased.  Sometimes for the retailer to make space for new items or more updated versions of items they put these super offers in place and they sale like a hot potato.

Answer 3

Because it doesn't really cost the store anything.  The rebate is paid by the manufacturer, not the store.  For the manufacturer, its a gamble but they are betting that the majority of people who buy the product BECAUSE it has a rebate will never actually do the work to redeem the rebate.  They lose money on a few but more than make it up on increased sales of the specific product plus any peripherals or accessories you might also buy.

Answer 4

It's like Henry Ford said.  He could afford to give his cars away and make all his money on parts and service.  You still have to buy ink, and it seems like the cheaper the L*xm*rk, the more its ink costs.

Then there's the scam of rebates.  Why not just give you the discount up front?  Yeah, but then they couldn't make out on all those technicalities that void your rebate request, including "Not responsible for lost or misdirected mail."  Capitalism is a scam.