Hi HT,

It has worked for years and years because most corporations used to be the snake oil salesmen in the old west

They offer these because they know most consumers will lap it up.

Just because it's a popular gimmick to get people to come to your store and is a highly successful gimmick that does not mean it's in the consumers best interest...it's in the corporations best interest.

The reason why you can buy cheaper at Walmart, etc...is because they sell inferior quality goods...I used to be a quality control inspector...and everything is quality inspected and separated...top of the line merchandise went here...minor hardly noticable flaws ( scratches, extra flash on the edges, etc...) went there...minor, but noticeable flaws went over there...and major flaws were recycled...places like the Bargain Shop display disclaimers next to some merchandise because it's recycled or bottom drawer merchandise ( I'm sure you've seen those ' would be this " IF " ...)...

scratch and dent stuff went to places like Walmart, Sears, Zellers, etc...they sell cheaper because they sell b and c line merchandise....if you think you're getting the same quality of meat at the Price Choppers deli as you do at M&M meat Markets...ahem...you're not

You get what you pay for.

As for Petro-Canada that was their way of buying into the market...thay had to offer something to get people to go there...I remember when it first started...I remember before the first station was bought...they had to practically beg people to use their stations...that's why they started giving stuff away and offering incentives. 35 years ago I got all my tee-shirts from Midas Muffler, they used to give them away for free as a means to advertise.

Eg