Allstate car insurance has an "accident forgiveness" policy.

If you get into an accident, your rates will not go up (after first accident only) -- but, the fine print says, this aspect of the policy COSTS EXTRA! In other words, you can pay a higher rate NOW, month after month, whether you have an accident or not, just to protect that HIGHER rate from 'going up' *IF* you do have an accident -- makes NO sense at all, but sounds good.

Then there's the classic fine print example: *the price has increased due to the inclusion of a free gift.

Or this one which was used here locally for YEARS, and really SEEMS to make SENSE -- until your think about it for a minute...

"WE WILL BEAT ANY COMPETITOR'S PRICE, OR YOUR MATTRESS IS FREE!!!!!"

Well that means the mattress will NEVER be free. If the competitor's price is $318, that means your price will be $317. No matter how low the competitor's price is, it will always be way more than $1 -- so the mattress will never be "FREEEEE!!!!" as the promoter proclaims (LOUDLY!).

Here's the ULTIMATE one -- also used here locally for MANY years -- but the guy finally went out of biz...

"We will BEAT THE PRICE OF ANY SEALY, POSTUREPAEDIC, or SIMMONS MATTRESS, GUARANTEED!!!"

Here's the HIDDEN catch (very clever, actually) -- The store YELLING that claim DOES NOT SELL THOSE FAMOUS BRANDS!!

Notice it says "beat the price *OF* (not *ON*)..." So, yes, the no-name mattresses he was selling WERE cheaper than the name brands mentioned!!!

As I say, actually pretty clever. Deceptive yes -- but creative + clever, just the same.

I've also seen storefronts covered in paper banners saying, "Going Out for Business" Instead of going out OF business.

Yes, it is a fun exercise.

"This way to the Egress..."

Cheers!

-- TW