http://www.cashbackamerica.com/

I was piano shopping last week. This guy wants to sell me a piano for 18k with a 5k cashback in 64 months or something. The cash is "invested" in something or other and we have a window of opportunity to claim the rebate. If we don't, we lose it. So I check out the website. Tell me this is not one of the biggest scams going on.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

It's not necessarily a scam per se, it sounds like it depends on the time value of money and the statistical likelihood you'll forget to cash it in within a 30 day window of the redemption date several years from now. It's like CompUSA offering you a price that takes into account rebate coupons. Why waste your time with rebates instead of just giving your purchase to you at the lower price? Because most people don't bother sending in the coupon, so they can advertise it cheap but the average realized price is higher.

This sounds like the same deal, on a bigger scale - if you lose the voucher, die, fail to follow the precise instructions, or more likely just forget, you're screwed. The piano seller is probably buying the $5k voucher for $1k cash - he gets a higher profit from you since you're paying him $18k cash. Cashbackamerica invests the cash for a few years, and between the return on their investment and the statistical likelihood you won't cash it in, they make a profit on the deal. The Australian gov't warns about an affiliate:

http://www.consumer.qld.gov.au/oft/oftweb.nsf/0/417D6EEF956C84664A256CB10010748F?OpenDocument

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81 300SD
08 MDX Tech
93 525i

05 F650GS

I'd check the real source of the web sight. If it's from someplace like Nigeria, RUN AWAY!

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past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

I can't belive you/re even asking.

Forget it. And don't do business with a company using this. It's all over here right now, from furniture to hot tubs and all kinds of other stuff. There are hoops to jump through, but even if you do them all, there's a distinct possibility that the rebate company will be long gone by the time you file the paperwork.

A friend of mine was shopping for a hot tub and found a "$9000" tub for only "$1995" after rebate, which was to come back in 60 months. I told the salesguy that the store could just take $1995 today and THEY could try and get the balance in 60 months. He said no, so my friend did too.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Man I ran away from this as fast as I could. I asked because I couldn't believe it was legal!

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

You looking for a new grand piano?

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Years ago the local cell phone provider had a similar offer. Their offer was that if I bought their suggested phone (a bag phone, it was my favorite ever and worked the best of all cell phones I owned) plus signed up for service and kept it for 5 years, they’d give me a $500 savings bond at the end of the period. In the end they honored their commitment. But rather than offering a savings bond, they offered cash value of the bond at the time.

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Sounds as if their idea for a new TV has evolved in a good way

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Used actually. Probably better value for the money. I'm real close to buying one.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

I bought a used 5' rosewood finish model about 10 years ago for $6K...previous owners traded it in for a Yamaha Disclavier (the digital player) since neither of them played piano anyway.

Wasn't particularly concerned about brand...a Shaefer & Son. Action is harder than most, which is fine because both me and my daughter tend to "pound" harder than most pianists.

Still plays and sparkles like new. They don't wear out as rapidly as cars...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

The other issue is if the store is out of business within that time, then you are out of luck The only time I would buy the piano is that $18K is the right price for that piano, but, of course, it is not! Interesting bait to get some people to buy!

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Flash Gordon

2003 E500 BlackOpal/Charcoal

2004 Infiniti G35X

G, I bought one. It's a 5'7" Weber Grand. Used, made in Korea. It's not a bad piano for now and I can always upgrade if I need to. Price was good, 5.5k and didn't have to finance it which is good. I'm pretty happy with it. Originally I was thinking 18-20k for a piano and I'd have to pay interest or tap the home equity but hey, it's like getting an old MB right? Hopefully this one holds up as well.

What should I name it? Little Diesel?

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman