November 23, 2008

Strap On Incentive (No, not that)

I'm always interested, yet confused by the combination of items sold in Korean supermarkets. It's a common thing to find unusual 'bonuses' strapped to your purchases with packing tape.

At times it's just more of what you're buying: A tiny carton of milk to go with a big carton of milk, or a chocolate bar with a box of chocolates. There is sense and value in that.

But other times, it's something unexpected. Like once I received a Tupperware pitcher with a box of cereal, and last week I bought some laundry soap and it came with a model battleship to assemble. I suppose the idea was to give you something to do while you're waiting for your clothes to dry. Is this really supposed to boost sales?

"Man, I don't need any licorice. But wait a Goddamn minute, this one comes with a porcelain unicorn. Jackpot!"

It just doesn't make sense. Not like when you buy some vodka and it comes with a mini screwdriver set. That makes perfect sense. Everyone knows drunks have the most ambition to fix things.

5 comments:

Sam said...

Failing to notice that your flayed squid jerky has a plastic ring set on its tentacles, eating it anyway and choking, is the number one fastest-rising cause of death in Korea.

Sam said...

Taping strap-ons to crates of soju is another popular bonus.

Anonymous said...

Strap-ons attached to soju is the number two fastest-rising cause of death in Korea. Number three is Starcraft fatigue.

Anonymous said...

Dear god... so what would happen if they taped strap-ons with rings to Starcraft?

Anonymous said...

Very funny loll