First Posted: 1/14/2015
hio State’s national championship win was particularly sweet for more than 500 furniture buyers. They snagged $1.5 million in free goods through a promotion run by Ashley Furniture HomeStore and Better Sleep Shops.
“We’ve been inundated with calls, but it’s fun,” said Robert Klaben, vice president of marketing and advertising at Morris Furniture Co., parent of the participating stores.
“Customers are calling in, they’re emailing in, they’re coming in. They’re excited to get a rebate, and we’re excited to be able to provide free furniture to them.”
The promotion, which ran Dec. 17 to 30, called for shoppers who made purchases of $1,999 or more during that period to be refunded the price if Ohio State won the national championship by seven points or more. That also required the Buckeyes to first beat Alabama in the Jan. 1 Sugar Bowl, which also was the national championship semifinal.
Because the Buckeyes won by more than seven points, beating Oregon 42-20, more than 500 customers will receive refunds for the furniture, mattresses and accessories they bought during the promotion.
“What could be better than your favorite team winning the championship?” said Larry Klaben, president and CEO of Morris. “Celebrating the victory with a house full of free furniture and mattresses.”
Shoppers will be able to claim their refunds between Feb. 1 and April 30.
The company isn’t paying the $1.5 million out of pocket. It worked with a third-party company to underwrite the promotion, Robert Klaben said.
“They’re going to reimburse us for our customer purchases,” he said.
