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LockedRead America!: Buy a book, get rewarded

posted on October 20, 2009 at 08:57AM Inappropriate?
Reading is important, regardless of where the book is purchased. That’s why today, Sears Holdings is announcing that it will reward customers for qualifying book purchases on Sears.com, Target.com, Walmart.com and Amazon.com. 

Sears.com’s new, innovative program is both simple and rewarding:
(1) Buy an eligible book* on Sears.com, Target.com, Amazon.com or Walmart.com (check www.sears.com/readamerica for details)
(2) Email the receipt to us at readamerica@customerservice.sears.com; and 
(3) Get an online credit equal to the purchase price (up to $9) to use towards a purchase of $45 or more on Sears.com. (Program terms are subject to change at any time)

Its like getting books for free! Visit www.sears.com/readamerica for details!

What books do you plan to pick up? What do you think about this program? 
replies: 13 latest post: October 21, 2009 at 01:11PM by dingojoe
Displaying all 13 posts
posted on October 20, 2009 at 09:10AM
 

so now your sending us to the competition to shop?

posted on October 20, 2009 at 09:26AM
 

I think the idea is to promote reading any way possible.

posted on October 20, 2009 at 09:36AM
 

Basically, SHLD wants you to buy the book at Walmart, Amazon, or Target who all lose money on each $9 book they sell, and then come to Sears buy something at least $45 or more, that Sears won't lose money on even with the $9 coupon.  Capitalism is wacky sometimes.

posted on October 20, 2009 at 09:45AM
 
In response to Rachel3's post from October 20 2009 09:26AM

If you were promoting reading anyway possible, then the list of books eligible would be far more expansive and include children's books.   The whole $9 thing is about driving traffic to websites during the upcoming holiday season, and getting add on sales.  I think Sears response is actually kind of clever--"Go ahead and buy a book that loses Amazon, Walmart, or Target money each time they sell one, and then come here and get $9 off and purchase over $45 on our website that we won't lose money on."

posted on October 20, 2009 at 10:14AM
 

This is a perfect promotion for right before the holidays!  I always give books for Christmas, and now I can get a great discount.  Sounds like the offer is good for one month only, so it is a good time to get the discount quickly!

I have been interested in reading that new John Grisham-think I will for sure get that one for myself.

posted on October 20, 2009 at 10:40AM
 

I think this is a really neat idea, and even though I work at Sears, I had no idea about this promotion.

I'm most excited to read Audrey Niffenegger's new book "Her Fearful Symmetry". I absolutely loved The Time Traveler's Wife, and early reviews of her new book are good!

posted on October 20, 2009 at 12:47PM
 

Someone posted above that Sears was sending people to their competition to shop.  To that I respond -- "Good for Sears!"

Recently online Sears Auto sent me to another merchant to find a part I was looking for.  It wasn't that Sears didn't want my business, it was they were providing good, old fashioned customer service in a day and age where such a thing doesn't exist anymore.

There was a time when every merchant always referred customers to other merchants when they didn't have a product in stock.  Nowadays most places you just get a shrug and a blank stare.  Sears is turning this around and saying "hey, we don't have it, but we'll find out who does and let you know!"

In my mind, that kind of customer service is just invaluable.

 

posted on October 20, 2009 at 01:39PM
 
In response to AmandaSanchez's post from October 20 2009 10:40AM

I agree, this is a great program!  I will definitely look for "Her Fearful Symmetry".  Thanks for mentioning this book, AmandaSanchez!

posted on October 20, 2009 at 05:14PM
 

I'm somewhat tempted to buy Sarah Palin's book just to see what she says in it. I'm sure it would be an amusing read.  :D

posted on October 20, 2009 at 07:09PM
 

Hopefully, the book list includes topics on tools and DIY stuff.

posted on October 21, 2009 at 05:34AM
 

The new Barbara Kingsolver book is on there-The Lacuna. That is one I would love to read, also!

I have not read any of her fiction-she has a non-fiction book: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which is a wonderful book on a family who decides to only eat foods they were able to grow themselves for an entire year.

Has anyone out there read any of the authors offered in the "Read America" program?

posted on October 21, 2009 at 07:11AM
 

Sounds like a great program to me - I will let the bride of 40 know so she can get some books for Christmas and then use the benefit to get more Christmas gifts for the grandson at Sears:)

posted on October 21, 2009 at 01:11PM
 

I haven't read J.D. Robb (Nora Roberts' mystery name), Linda Howard, or Sarah Palin (though it's possible that I've read something that the ghostwriter has written).

Of the others, the Grisham sounds most promising. I'm most suspicous about the Crichton one since he's dead and it's about pirates. I'm just finishing Dean Koontz's Frankenstein trilology (set in New Orleans of course) and I enjoyed them. I like Jim Butcher's Dresden fiile books (set in Chicago) but I've never read any of his Fury books. King and Patterson crank out reliable familar stuff endlessly. With the exception of the Kingsolver book, all the books are candy (quickly read, provoking little thought) but that's OK.

They're actually the kind of books that I'd get a paperback of, read in a day or two and pass on or leave somewhere, but I am amused by the promotion, and kind of want to see Walmart & Amazon lose as much money as possible, so I may pick one out, if I can figure out what kind of tool I need from Sears--I reckon AdamO could help me with that.

I'd actually rather get something from LandsEnd.com, but I see in the disclaimer that Lands End is apparently not included in the offer--things like that are aggravating in promos. I'm sure the margins on Lands End product are more than sufficient to have them be a part of the promo.

 

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