I grew up in the Houston area and lived there most of my life. The TV commercial king in my younger years was Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, 69, of Gallery Furniture whose frequent tagline was his statement that, “Gallery Furniture really will…SAVE…YOU…MONEY!”
Watch an early Gallery Furniture commercial HERE.
McIngvale grew his furniture business from a few pieces covered by a tent to the giant it is today. Go furniture shopping and get free food from a buffet, a Subway sandwich, cookies and more. He’s come a long way!
McIngvale is notorious for “betting” with his customers regarding the Houston Astros, Rockets and Texans. His “bet” may be something like, “If the Astros win, your furniture purchase over $3,000 is free!” He is also known as a philanthropist and a frequent speaker about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), which one of his children struggles with.
Fast forward to Super Bowl LV. McIngvale flew to Colorado to bet over $3 million on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were the underdogs in the game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.
Gallery Furniture also ran a promotion where customers who spent $3,000 or more on certain mattresses would get their purchase for free if the Buccaneers won.
McIngvale profited $2.7 million from that bet.
Video of “Mattress Mack” discussing his winnings from KHOU.com
McIngvale released a statement that explained his choice. “Tampa Bay is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and led by the greatest football player of all time in Tom Brady, so I’m betting big on the Bucs who have overcome tough matchups throughout this postseason,” he said.
One of the last times McIngvale made headlines in betting on sports was in 2017 when he offered his customers a refund of purchases totaling $3,000 or more if the Houston Astros won the pennant. That year, he had to refund more than $13 million, as the ‘Stros won the World Series.
So, congratulations to Mack and certain Gallery Furniture patrons for being big winners last Sunday!
grapevinesource.com 