Indians' 15th straight win means Cleveland biz must pay $1.7M back to customers
It was one of those classic sales gimmicks. Universal Windows Direct, a Cleveland company that does windows, doors, roofs and siding, ran a promotion in July saying it would refund any purchases made that month if the Cleveland Indians won 15 straight games before the end of the season. It was the company’s 15th year in business, so 15 seemed liked a good number.
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And then the Indians went on a crazy winning streak that reached a franchise-record 15 games on Thursday night, with an 11-2 thwacking of the Chicago White Sox. Fifteen straight Indians wins meant Universal Windows Direct had to pay up — to the tune of $1.7 million to 250 customers.
People on Twitter were having fun with this, as people on Twitter often do.
Universal Windows Direct watching this game pic.twitter.com/C3iPBiWZiz
— Thrillhouse (@saveferrisordie) September 8, 2017
It turns out, however, Universal Windows Direct was pulling for the Indians too. For one reason that is perhaps very obvious to some people: insurance.
According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, Universal Windows Direct co-owners William Barr and Mike Strmac bought a $75,000 insurance policy when they ran the promo. The policy would cover all the sales if the Indians did win 15 games in a row. So they’ll submit their insurance claim and have their money in a week, according to Rovell.
Earlier in the week, the company released a statement cheering on the Indians:
“Besides the players, nobody wants the Tribe to win 15 games in a row more than us,” Barr said. “Everyone who purchased windows, siding, doors, a new roof or anything else from Universal in July will get their project done for free! All we can say is, ‘Go Tribe!’”
So instead of sweating, University Windows Direct and their customers spent Thursday night having a party at Progressive Field in Cleveland rooting on the Indians. And why wouldn’t they? Customers will now get thousands of dollars in refunds and the Universal Windows Direct is getting a ton of free publicity — and all those sales in July.
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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
