----- Original Message -----
From: Hokkun Pang <hpang@flycast.com>
To: 'I'm not a real doofus, but I play one at a national laboratory'
<baisley@fnal.gov>; <fork@xent.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 1999 10:33 AM
Subject: RE: Moron internet business models...
> speaking of which....
>
> I brought a computer from MicroCenter this weekend with a $400 rebate from
> e-Trade,
> the only requirement is to open an E-Trade account with $1000 deposit and
> keep the account
> open for a year. Bargain of the millenium!
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: I'm not a real doofus, but I play one at a national laboratory
> > [SMTP:baisley@fnal.gov]
> > Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 1999 10:19 AM
> > To: fork@xent.com
> > Subject: Re: Moron internet business models...
> >
> > This isn't directly related, but I've been meaning to rant about it for
a
> > month
> > or more. The "free" computer was well discussed in these bits, what,
> > years
> > ago, wasn't it? Sign up for ISP, cellular, or some similar service, and
> > we'll
> > throw in the hardware. And that's been happening, as predicted.
> >
> > But the last few catalogues from TigerDirect, especially, have taken
this
> > idea
> > to absurd levels. Almost half the stuff in their stupid mailing is
"free"
> > or
> > very "inexpensive", but only due to "internet rebates". How many times,
> > or for
> > how many months, can one person sign up for Juno (which used to be free
> > itself), to get a disk drive, scanner, or digital camera?
> >
> > I don't get it. I found myself enticed by the great looking deals, and
> > then
> > quickly annoyed. Now I assume that there's a catch for all of their
> > pricing,
> > which couldn't have been their goal. What next, "free" groceries for a
> > year,
> > with a simple home equity loan, Prime+10%?
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Wayne
> >
> > http://www-oss.fnal.gov/~baisley
> >
> > Vhy vould I vant fries mit popcorn?
> > Uh, I'll have to ask my manager.
> > Dr. Scratchansniff and Mitch
>