Myleguy:

Don't really see how one kills the "goose" here; you need to clarify/justify this.

The only entailment from PG's feat is that ConAgra will have to take such legitimate feats into account, realizing that some sellers will sell the pudding individually. ConAgra certainly did the numbers based on its least costly item. If ConAgra didn't account for this, then they have learned a valuable lesson in the competitive marketplace.

Mileage seekers are generally shrewd, as are many on this board. Most astute marketers, offering frequent flyer miles, account for this.

PuddingGuy didn't find a "loophole"; he legitimately worked within the parameters of the program, and was astute and exceptionally shrewd, thus the plaudits, acolades, and veneration.

I don't really understand your perspective or questioning of this. The "economics" are not really hurt in any such way: the same economics that may have "harmed" ConAgra also comprise the forces that drive the demand for miles and fuel the promotion. If anything, the economics will not ruin such promotions, but make the marketing more efficient (e.g., ConAgra will cap miles and/or factor in extreme scenarios; or perhaps ConAgra did account for such feats, knowing that the overall impact of the promotion was likely to be a success).

[This message has been edited by JeffLewis2 (edited 01-26-2000).]