Everybody likes to think they are getting something for nothing. And it
seems I get deluged by “free” offers in the mail, now in the form of e-mails,
from companies I have never heard of, and who claim I have subscribed to them.
The latest came with a picture of a Marriot Resort telling me congratulations,
on a 3 day, 2 night getaway. Sounds good, I sure could use that. But on the
other side in said from over 600 locations, including Marriott. And then
promised free air fare and even a $50 gift card if I call within 48 hours. What
48 it didn’t say...they upped the ante making me want it more, or so I let them
think. And so I called them, with my promo number in hand, and a girl answered
the phone, in a very noisy room, speaking with a thick accent. And wanted to
know my income, which I refused to reveal, then told me I wasn’t eligible to
listen to their sales talk on what I still don’t know. Once again proving that
there is no free lunch, or motel room, or getaway-forget the airfares! But
verifying the value of something for nothing, and being reminded that someone
pays for everything.
There is a law of finances that you don’t hear talked about very often,
maybe not a law, but an acute observation. Simply put “At zero price, there is
more demand than supply.” And after changing channels with frequency to avoid
Brown Thursday, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, I am
sick of it, and even more sick of those who fall prey to the promises. Two
weeks ago I saw a man setting up a pop up in front of a Staples-two weeks before
the sale, is this man nuts, or just stupid? His time must be worth nothing to
spend that much in away from his work and family to save $200 on an i-pad. The
legend of Steve Jobs lives on after his death. But a few years ago I learned a
lesson on these sale days, and now will pass it on. First, remembering there is
no free lunch, the bigger companies up prices slightly before the sale date,
even a few cents a day makes a difference when discounted. It’s like thinking
you are getting deal on bike parts, 10% off, when getting ripped off more
because they were marked up 20% over retail-such a deal. And we all like to
think we are getting the deal. Now companies also will buy a special line of
product, in my case a 42” TV, brand unpronouncable except in its own third world
country, and sell it cheaper than say a SONY, which is usually higher priced
giving the impression of greater savings. But when shopping two weeks after
Black Friday a few years ago, found this same TV for half of what it sold for on
that day-it seems they bought too many, and if not on sale, no one wants to buy
that brand, so I made out like a bandit. I had been chosen to receive a better
deal than the yucks camping outside. Lesson learned, but also learning that low
price may cause a demand, buying too many for the demand results in lower prices
later.
In 1982 Yamaha told their dealers at the dealer conference that year that
they would push Honda from the #1 sales spot. Which was fine until Honda heard
that, and dropped prices so low that Yamaha almost pulled out of the states.
But the next two years bargain priced Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis, and Kawasakis
were available, some for hundred less than when new, the only difference between
them and the current year was color. I bought a new 1983 Nighthawk for $500
less in 1984, just a different shade of blue. And so did many of my friends,
finding money talks, riders ride, and proving that when the price goes down, the
demand goes up. Whether in TV’s or bikes, summer or Black Friday, the deals are
there if you wait. Where are those deals today when I need them?
Final lesson to you Mr. Consumer, when I sold for Coca Cola, TG&Y was
major chain in our area, competing with K-Mart and the new Walmart. So for
Christmas, to get more business, they ran 6 packs, remember them, for 99 cents
each, even though they cost them $1.47 each. To the naked eye they were losing
a bundle, but when it was explained by Mr. Money, the store manager, that was
his real name, it was simple math, and great marketing. 99 cent six packs of
Coke sold, and no one could resist that deal. I was the hero for this one, but
he explained that his total dollars grew, so much that it was equivalent to
discounting everything in the store 8%. No one would storm the shelves for an
8% discount, but when Coke was so cheap, they thought everything else was, and
it created a buying frenzy. And yes the demand almost exceeded the supply, as
no one had predicted the impact, and we routed trucks directly to the store from
the cannery some 400 miles away. So read the fine print, and no one is absolved
from it. We all want the best deal....but some are worth waiting for, and not
in line two weeks before the store opens!
But sadly many Christians are taught that God loves them more-wrong, if He
loved us more, why did He love us enough to save us while still sinners, and
believe God is a Pandora’s Box of wealth, until you open it, but that they are
exempt. A lesson learned when first saved was about a young man who came to
Jesus expecting things, as if salvation wasn’t enough. He was told that God
will give you whatever you ask for, and he wanted a Cadillac, even gave God the
option list and color. And when it didn’t arrive, thought God to be a liar, and
turned his back on Jesus. And some would claim he had lost his salvation, but
as Jesus told a similar crowd bragging on what they had done, He told them “I
never knew you.” Not you lost your salvation, but you never had it! The tricks
man and religion play, if only we went right to the source, Jesus. Another time
a Brother Randy Wright, a travelling evangelist came to town. On opening night
the place was half full, and after passing the buckets, covers his eyes, and
tells the crowd God has told him to pass the buckets again, and each person was
to take one bill out. Then taught on God’s multiplying our finances. And it
worked, as some who had put in coins, drew out a dollar, some who had put in a
dollar, pulled out a five, a ten, or a twenty-enough so the crowd went wild.
And when the word spread of the free money, the place was packed the next night,
people dropping in 20’s and 50’s, expecting God to multiply it. Except this
night he didn’t talk to Brother Randy, and kept it all for himself. And yes it
was true, the multiplication that is, but just for himself. So beware....you
have been warned.
Simply put paying more does not guarantee getting more. We are a case in
point. We gave Jesus our sin and He gave us life. A good deal for us, and a
seemingly bad one for Him. But both of us got what we desired, a relationship
with God. But sadly only some of us take the deal, thinking it could never be
as good as it sounds. But it is, and even without the promise of heaven, makes
for a better life. Think of it as a free extended warranty. And you have been
chosen to receive this gift, all you have to do is ask Jesus into your heart.
No classes, no ceremonies, no clubs or dues-just ask Jesus into your heart
wherever you are-home, church, jail, or while riding-the deal is that good! And
you will find that the zero cost to you will not outweigh His supply...So the
real deal this holiday, or any day is still Jesus. No lines-I like that, He
speaks my language, much unlike the girl from another land on the other end of
the phone, there is no small print, thankfully large print for my older eyes,
and your name is recorded in heaven in the Book of Life. And cannot be
erased-either you are saved or you aren’t-no trial runs, once you are in you are
in! Let Walmart beat that one-and they claim to be the saving place!
Patience leads to salvation-it also leads to great deals. Don’t delay,
invest in Jesus today, and get all the benefits for free-included. No salesman
will call-those who go door to door with news papers aren’t of Christ, just ask
them if Jesus is deity. And watch them flee. Jesus is still the best and the
only deal to get to heaven. And you have been chosen to receive that gift....no
discount or club needed. Somebody pays for everything, who paid for your
salvation?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com