Election Bet With Customers Costs Houston Furniture Magnate $10M

We've all seen the ads. Is he crazy? Yes, sometimes genius is. Magnanimous Houston-based furniture magnate Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale will refund $10M in purchases based on last week's presidential election results. This year, Mattress Mack offered refunds to customers who bought over $2k and correctly guessed the political party that would win the presidency. The $10M payout seems steep, but if Hillary had won, Mattress Mack would've had to refund around $13M, reports the Houston Chronicle.

Around 4,000 customers will receive a 100% refund on their purchase or a Gallery Furniture gift certificate worth 150% of the value.

This isn't the first time Mattress Mack has gained national attention. Last year, he launched "85 And It's Free," betting on if a barrel of West Texas Crude was $85 or more at closing on Dec. 31—it wasn't even close. In 2014, Gallery Furniture refunded over $12M from three promotions, two based on the Texans' performance and one on the Astros. Despite the payouts, Mattress Mack insists he sees "tremendous long-term benefit" from the promotions. [Chron]

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Houston Newsletters
Related Stories

Furniture Outlet The Dump Is Getting Dumped In Atlanta

Simon Approaching End Of The Road With Struggling Suburban Boston Mall

Chipotle Adding Hundreds Of New Locations Worldwide

Stockdale Capital Partners, Hamilton Lane Acquire Chino Hills Shopping Center For $157M

Bucks County Mall Closing As Owners Prepare Redevelopment Plans

16K SF Restaurant, Event Space Opens At 5POP Office: The Houston Deal Sheet

SpaceX Sues Texas AG, Grimes County Over Terafab Project Information

Starbucks Spending $1B To Turn Cafés Into Community Lounges

Houston Healthcare's Race For Space Hits A Data Center Roadblock

Thor Equities Reacquires Retail Portion Of Palmer House After Losing It To Foreclosure In 2023

Lululemon Cuts U.S. Expansion Plans, New CEO Takes Helm At Athleisure Staple

3,500-Home Margaritaville Active Adult Community Coming To Texas City: The Houston Deal Sheet