At Least This Journeys Promotion Gets Your Attention

“Try on shoes, get a free smartphone,” declared a sign in the window of Ryan’s local Journeys store. That sounds like a deal that can’t possibly be true. And it’s not.

That tiny fine print actually reads, “With a new 2-yr. plan plus data feature. See store associate for details. Limitations and conditions apply.”

(For the “pics or it didn’t happen” crowd, here’s a version of the picture where the fine print is actually large enough to read. It’s 1600 pixels wide.)

The “free smartphone” is only part of the deal if you sign a two-year service contract (including data plan) with an unidentified mobile phone carrier. Yes, you might try on shoes, then get a not-so-free smartphone, but these events aren’t necessarily related to each other.

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.