Indians' 15th straight win means Cleveland biz must pay $1.7M back to customers

Yahoo News ^ | September 8, 2017 | Mike Oz

[Enchante]

Indians' 15th straight win means Cleveland biz must pay $1.7M back to customers Big League Stew Mike Oz,Big League Stew 20 hours ago Reactions Like Reblog on Tumblr Share Tweet Email

9/7/17 MLB.com FastCast

Scroll back up to restore default view. It was one of those classic sales gimmicks. Universal Windows Direct, a Cleveland company that does windows, doors, roofs and siding, ran a promotion in July saying it would refund any purchases made that month if the Cleveland Indians won 15 straight games before the end of the season. It was the company’s 15th year in business, so 15 seemed liked a good number.

And then the Indians went on a crazy winning streak that reached a franchise-record 15 games on Thursday night, with an 11-2 thwacking of the Chicago White Sox. Fifteen straight Indians wins meant Universal Windows Direct had to pay up — to the tune of $1.7 million to 250 customers.

[Enchante]

Wild outcome to this sales promotion... but there's a twist!

[henkster]

My wife works in special risk insurance. I’m pretty sure Window Direct purchased a special risk insurance policy that pays out if the event occurs, so Window Direct isn’t out the money. It’s pretty much how hole-in-one charity tournaments work.

[Gay State Conservative]

There's a chain of furniture stores in eastern New England that sometimes runs a promotion saying if you buy furniture during a promotional period and then the Red Sox win the World Series later that year you get the furniture for free.IIRC they've had to pay off at least once in recent years.

IIRC they don't run the promotion every year...maybe just the years when they think the Sox won't win.

[Squantos]

6,800 $ each ??

[PGalt]

HOORAY Cleveland.

(Tigers fan..although I like the Astros in the playoffs and series because Verlander (and Upton...Kate) are there)

[fhayek]

Indians suck. I hope they blow game 7 this year too. 70 years. 70 years.

[fhayek]

Okay, full disclosure. Yankee fan here who is STILL not over the midge game....

[Enchante]

yes indeed, that is the “twist” I alluded to.... so now we know you didn’t read the article, heh heh.....

[gnickgnack2]

I read that that policy cost them $75,000.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

The midge game was one of those classic things that makes baseball so unique. It was like the spirit of Lake Erie itself arose that night.

And you may hate to hear this, but the Tribe is scary good this year. This may be our year.....

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

The midge game was one of those classic things that makes baseball so unique. It was like the spirit of Lake Erie itself arose that night.

And you may hate to hear this, but the Tribe is scary good this year. This may be our year.....

[Teacher317]

So, as always, we ALL pay (or at least all of that insurer's customers) so that some risk-taker doesn't have to suffer the consequence of taking a risk. Hmm.

(The insurers aren't exactly going to just take a loss.)

[henkster]

Read the article? Of course not. I’m a FReeper.

[henkster]

Insurance is legal gambling. You’re betting you’ll collect. They’re betting you won’t.

[Ken H]

Best $75 they ever spent. Not only did they protect themselves, they also got incredible bang for their advertising bucks.

They even got themselves a thread at FR.

[Bratch]

What'd they do? Sacrifice a chicken?

[Gene Eric]

>> I’m pretty sure Window Direct purchased a special risk insurance policy

And the insurer privately thinking... “sucker... 15 straight... no way”

[Ken H]

Yipes! Obviously, I misread the dollar figure in your post.

Even at $75,000, I still think it was money well spent.

[dfwgator]

[Enchante]

"They even got themselves a thread at FR."

... and THAT is the next best thing to immortality!