If you have Snuggie, beware of the $150 crosssale...
 

FULTON -- Across the country, customers who've ordered the popular Snuggie blanket are getting something else in the mail - an $8.50 check, with a catch.

"I thought it was a rebate on shipping," said Marc Catalina, who received the check seven months after ordering a Snuggie.

The check - which comes in an envelope stamped with the Snuggie logo - is real but it's not a rebate.

It's from a group called "Great Fun" - a company that promises 2 percent back off credit card purchases. They piggy-back onto Snuggy and a number of products with a controversial advertising method.

On both the front and back of the check, in small print, is a notice that says cashing or depositing the check automatically signs you up for a $150 a year membership in their service.

"By cashing or depositing this check you are purchasing a membership in Great Fun," it says in small print on the front. "When you cash or deposit the ecnlosed check, we will automatically charge the $149.99 annual fee to your credit card," it explains on the back.

Deceptive or clever marketing?

Consumer experts say it's not illegal but it can be deceptive.

"If it comes to me, I'm probably going to look at it and say $8.25? That's worth my while to cash it," said Travis Ford with the Missouri Division of Finance.

While some marketers defend the practice of sending so-called "activation checks" as a legitimate form of advertising - with everything spelled out in writing -Ford says it can catch unsuspecting consumers off-guard.

"It's certainly not as clear as it could be," said Ford. "Because normally there's fine print on the back of a check where people don't spend a lot of time reading anyway."

Ford says this type of advertising has been challenged by consumers across the country, including here in Missouri. Last year, then-Attorney General Jay Nixon got a 26-state, $400,000 settlement in a lawsuit against a company that sent out similar checks.

"Any company that does this may run into trouble," said Ford. "Either with unhappy customers or even law enforcement agencies."

Not a rebate or refund

A representative from Great Fun told us, emphatically, what they're doing is not deceptive.

"We view our terms as clear, inconspicuous and as up front as possible," Mike Bush, a spokesman for Great Fun said by phone. "At no point do we claim there is a rebate or refund attached to this. It's simply an opportunity to try our products."

The $8.25 amount isn't chosen randomly. It's calculated, based on research, to get the greatest number of people to cash the check, according to Bush.

Still, he acknowledges people could "mistakenly opt into this program," despite the fine print. He says a full refund will be offered to anyone who unknowingly signed up.

Less than 1500 people, a small amount of their customers, have recently cancelled their accounts, said Bush.

KRCG News tried to contact representatives from Snuggie but were unable to reach anyone.

impossible. only happens in porn.

If they shortened it to 'Great FU', it'd fit.

the snuggie industry is it's own worst enemy.

You cashed the check Wizzo didnt you

The snuggie is going to put the blanket corporations out of business.

That fucking bear was up to something.... I told you so!

thats why if you want any of he shit you see on tv, either buy it at amazon or a as seen on tv store

Surly he meant conspicuous, not inconspicuous....? :error

ya know I almost pulled the trigger on a snuggie, but instead decided to wear my robe backwards

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh

YouTube greatness awaits.

:1orglaugh

The maroon coloured one looks a fucking monks robe anyway!

Who wants to sit at home looking like friar tuck while they are watching tv? :Oh crap

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:thumbsup

jesus they fuck fuck and fuck

I got snuggietube.com for sale @ one billion dollars

Get it before all the free snuggie destroy the snuggie market

You really think so ?:1orglaugh

http://www.fubarwebmasters.com/galle...142/z02477.jpg

http://www.fubarwebmasters.com/galle...142/z02553.jpg

http://www.fubarwebmasters.com/galle...142/z02656.jpg

That's not a crosssale, it's an incetivized upsell

that's what I thought!

If 12clicks were here he'd tell you idiots that you just don't understand how real business works. Hidden charges that customers were warned about in tiny print don't hurt business at all. They don't breed feelings of mistrust or cause consumers to be disinclined to make future purchases.

If you people were real businessmen instead of the rabble you are, you'd understand that.

http://www.amateurcleavage.com/gfy/12dicks.gif

Nope, I just wear my bathrobe backwards, no snuggies here... :upsidedow