Mar 13, 2008 10:16 pm US/Central
Store Offers Full Refunds If Cubs Win World Series
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Rick Weber of SuitePlay took out a sizable insurance policy to cover any losses should the dream of a World Series win come true.
CBS
Cubs fans are an optimistic bunch -- there's always next year, right?
One sports-savvy retailer is counting on that unyielding Cubs spirit to help launch a rather unusual marketing campaign.
As CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports, most people assume people who sell game tables and pin ball machines are a fun-loving bunch. And Rick Weber of SuitePlay Stores proves them right.
"We're a little bit wacky, a little bit off center," he said. "We like to have fun at our jobs."
But selling home theater loungers and billiard tables with price tags that can mount to more than $8,000 also has its downside.
"The furniture business can be really boring at times," Weber said.
Still, the anticipation of a new season for the Cubs and the magical century mark since their last World Series win got the managers at SuitePlay Stores taking a gamble.
"My gosh, how long have people been waiting for the Cubs to win the World Series?" Weber said.
Every bit of furniture at SuitePlay's four locations purchased between now and April 14 will be completely refunded, except for sales tax, if the Cubs win the World Series.
"I think their chances are much better than they were last year," Weber said.
So what are the Cubs' odds this year? Some Web sites have them listed at 14 to 1, others at 9 to 2. Any way you look at it those are pretty good odds for the Cubs.
This is all based on a Boston promotion last year where 30,000 families scored free furniture after the Red Sox's World Series victory.
SuitePlay has paid more than $100,000 for an insurance policy totaling more than $1 million, so owner and Cubs fan Weber says the publicity is now worth taking the chance.
"We paid the premium and so the money is gone no matter what," he said. "We'll be there cheering for them. I'll be out there with my wife on opening day."
Look at it this way: The betting odds for a team like San Francisco are a payout of 100 to 1, the White Sox, 55 to 1, so 14 to 1 for the Cubs means SuitePlay may be paying out. Maybe that's why the store said it had to shop around for a good insurance rate.
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