Adam Hinz: The Blog
Oil change and a dollar
On 2005-08-15 at 8/15/2005 02:53:00 PM...
[music] Library chatter...damn kidsI had to get an oil change in the Toyota today, so while that was happening I went over to Arby's to eat. The cashier there asked if I would like to donate $1 to the Boys and Girls club. I politely said no, and then she mentioned that if I donated, I would receive a dollar off coupon. Again I said no, and waited for my food.
I thought about this possible exchange a few minutes later. If I agree to donate $1, I am losing $1 and the Boys and Girls Club is gaining $1. But then I get a coupon, and if I use the coupon I am gaining $1 and Arby's is losing $1. So the finally tally is B&G Club +1, Arby's -1, me 0. Here's my proposoal: cut out the middle man, and Arby's simply donate to the B&G club. Apparantly Arby's is a major donor to B&G, and that's just fine, but only when there's a chance to increase sales.
And another thing. To the people who do take Arby's up on their "donate for a coupon" deal, I can just imagine people who only donate for the coupon. It's like people will only do charitable things if they can get something out of it. I can't say too much about them, because I didn't donate at all. I'm just suggesting that they cut out the middle man, me, so that I don't have to feel guilty for not giving up my meesly dollar.
I've heard of this exchange before. At Pay Less (Kroger for you non-Andersonians) they used to air an advertisment similar to Arby's. If you donate $1 to support breast cancer research, you receive $1.65 off General Mills Cereal. So if the complete exchange goes through, the score is Diabetes + $1, GM -$1.65, me +$0.65. I support companies donating to charities, but I don't support this false sense of charity they give customers. I guess I also don't like how people will only give if they feel they are getting something in return.