want a 34% return on investment?

Who wouldn't? I did it, and you can, too! (I may have to do an infomercial.....)

Here's all you need to do:

Buy an electric scooter (on sale) from Target. Wait for it to be recalled by the manufacturer for some odd reason like it either started and ran on its own, or because it started a couple of house fires. Take it back to Target, in either working or non-working condition. Wait in line for the clerk to get an authorization. Receive in cash more than you paid for it, even if you have the receipt that clearly shows you bought it for $50 less. It's that simple!

On Sara's birthday in March, she took her birthday money and bought an electric scooter from Target for $163 (including tax). About 6 weeks ago, it stopped working for no apparent reason. I contacted the manufacturer, they said it was the controller. A controller would cost $35, plus about $10 shipping. Or I could send it to the manufacturer and they would repair it for a total cost (including shipping) of around $150. Sure, where do I sign..... Looked around for someone to repair it, to no avail. Then a friend in our Sunday School class said he bought one for his daughter and took it back for a refund because hers was recalled. I didn't think Sara's had been recalled, so since we had the receipt they would allow us a same-day credit in the department from which the item came - automotive. How much car wax will that buy? (Sure, Susie had her eye on some faux leopard skin seat covers for the van and some spinners.) After some brief research, I learned that Sara's scooter had actually been recalled. So we took it back Sunday and received a refund for the full retail price plus tax ($218), even though we brought them the receipt that clearly showed we had bought the scooter for $50 less. I had since ordered a scooter for her through e-bay for about $110, so she was able to get her money back on the old scooter, pay for a new one, and then have money left over. Quite the deal, no?

How can you take advantage of this? It will involve some time travel, since Target no longer sells this scooter. However, once you figure out how to travel back to March 2004, you'll have it made. Just buy the scooter, or several scooters, hold onto them for about 5 months, and then cash in. Cha-ching!

Happy shopping!