Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall (2018)

Post by philistine » Mon, Jul 04, 2022, 2:24 AM UTC

travisgriggs wrote: post #87

philistine wrote: post #18

People complain that Safari is a terrible web citizen. Here I go to this website, with Safari and my trusty ad blocker extension, and the page keeps reloading endlessly. Who’s to blame? The crappy website, Safari, or its extension?

Is this /s? I mean—-tongue in cheek—-are you trying to illustrate that Safari actually goes above and beyond here by looping infinitely on a page that is about a scam that is essentially about an ad technique that loops you endlessly?

Post by lisper » Mon, Jul 04, 2022, 2:31 AM UTC

buu700 wrote: post #52

lisper wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because the fundamental economics of time shares are a scam. They are pitched as "ownership" but what they really are are perpetual rental contracts with no way out. (The rent is called "maintenance fees" but it doesn't matter what label you attach to it. It's a sum of money that you are obligated to pay year after year after year. If it quacks like rent...) And you even have to pay a hefty sum up front for the privi…

Serious question: how has post-pandemic inflation impacted the economics of timeshares purchased pre-pandemic? Is there any particular point in time where we can look back with the benefit of hindsight and say that a timeshare actually would have been a good investment?

Post by bombcar » Mon, Jul 04, 2022, 2:40 AM UTC

ggm wrote: post #88

chiph wrote: post #64

> There are other types of car giveaways run by more legitimate parties (charity raffles, event promotions) that do deliver the goods — but if you win, you’re liable to pay a hefty gift tax. I don't think it's a gift tax, but ordinary income tax. A coworker won a living room sofa set on a game show, and the staff were waiting with a 1099 for her as soon as she stepped off the stage. The IRS says you need to pay tax b…

In Australia, the thing called an "art union" used to be how to raise money for charity, and the prize was often a home, and they really exist, and people did win and live in them, and some of them were classics of the low spot of the 60s and 70s, shag-pile carpet, sunken entertainment pit, volcano-stone fireplace... They still take place. I suspect the buildings have moved with the (architectural) times.

Post by solardev » Mon, Jul 04, 2022, 2:47 AM UTC

themitigating wrote: post #112

TehCorwiz wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In a world where the deck is stacked against most people regardless whether they "do the right things" like go to college hope of a chance windfall may be the only way to reach beyond their economic situation. $9.11 saved per month isn't going to ever buy a car, but it might win one and that's an easy value proposition to some people.

Going to college isn't right or wrong it can only improve your chances of getting a job or a higher salary in certain careers. If this doesn't work out moving to the probability of a windfall maybe desperation but it's not smart. If people believe this is their only hope that's sad and we should guide them to make better decisions.

Post by xwdv » Mon, Jul 04, 2022, 2:54 AM UTC

themitigating wrote: post #116

josephg wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The most important part of managing scams is to expose them, and cite the names involved so that they need to pick a different line of work. Or we make these scams illegal. Sending scammers to jail is much more effective than finger wagging.

Cost of a police investigation, prosecution, and then housing them in jail for what? 2 years ? Public shaming is much cheaper