@citricsquid: Uh, no. ALL of the methods of entering should be open for all, not just the stupid clunky as hell mail-in method. If not, then you are NOT abiding by the no purchase necessary to enter clause. This in itself is illegal here in the U.S.
Actually, if you look at other major contests, such as ones operated by Pepsi or Coca Cola, you can enter those without purchase, but you are still required to mail in an entry.
Curse operates our contests like all other major contests.
Yet both the brands you refer to manage to run contests outside of the US which curse are unable do as it is "impossible"
From your fellow curse employee coldbladed:
"Again, I made every effort to include non-US residents but it is just impossible. Like, Ethan Hunt would not choose to accept this mission"
They only run contests in countries where they have an international headquarters. Being a global country with a HQ in that country allows them to operate under the legal umbrellas of that country.
Curse is a US company so those same foreign(to us) countries impose additional fees and legal hoops to jump through, which is what I was referring to in the rest of that post you quoted.
Actually, if you look at other major contests, such as ones operated by Pepsi or Coca Cola, you can enter those without purchase, but you are still required to mail in an entry.
Curse operates our contests like all other major contests.
And their entry form is visible to all as well, not just a select few who line your pockets with their hard-earned money. For example: Pepsi's current sweepstakes: http://www.choosepepsiandjoinuslive.com/
The problem with Curse is they do a LOT of false advertising. You want to know what that is?
False advertising or deceptive advertising is the use of false or misleading statements in advertising. As advertising has the potential to persuade people into commercial transactions that they might otherwise avoid, many governments around the world use regulations to control false, deceptive or misleading advertising. Truth refers to essentially the same concept, that customers have the right to know what they are buying, and that all necessary information should be on the label.
False advertising, in the most blatant of contexts, is illegal in most countries. However, advertisers still find ways to deceive consumers in ways that are not illegal.
Hmm, I see you cleverly reworded the OP, but when it was originally posted, the advertising text of the OP implied that all people can enter just by clicking on the link. However, this doesn't fix the fact that in the past, Curse did falsively advertise past contests of this similar nature. I had an ad in the curse client one time tell me to click to enter a sweepstakes, so that's what I did. And guess what? I expected an entry form, but instead was falsely advertised to get to a page that told me I had to pay for curse premium in order to enter. Now THAT is false advertising, and I don't know how the heck curse has been able to get away with this ****.
I like how everybody is here yelling about how inconvenient the mail in entry method is. I mean, I mailed mine in. Lol, it's like this...
"A whole 24 cents for a stamp??? And that 3 min drive to the mailbox?!?! Who is coming up with these outrageous prices? Do you know what the sun does to my skin if I leave my cave for more than 12 seconds? I burn, painfully. Curse, you are obviously not worth my time. Not even for a chance to go to Minecon for practically no money out of my own pocket. Or a chance at a solid state drive (which is such a win for a first place prize too). Nope, you have disappointed me Curse. Let me ***** and complain for the next twelve posts about why I hate you."
That's kinda what I glean from most ranting posts. As for the contest being US only, I can feel your pain there, and I wish there was more they could do for you, but in all honesty, it's easier for Curse not to have to fly someone from the EU all the way to the US and back, but still, I understand your pain. I still don't quite understand why Notch chose Vegas, other than he's been quoted saying that he loves the place. Also, the US kinda is win, so making a name for yourself is much easier to do here than anywhere else in the world. We may be the spoiled brats of the world (trust me, I see it too), but we really do get things done around here when we have to. Now that my rant is done, can't wait to see who the winner is!!!
And their entry form is visible to all as well, not just a select few who line your pockets with their hard-earned money. For example: Pepsi's current sweepstakes: http://www.choosepepsiandjoinuslive.com/
The problem with Curse is they do a LOT of false advertising. You want to know what that is?
Hmm, I see you cleverly reworded the OP, but when it was originally posted, the advertising text of the OP implied that all people can enter just by clicking on the link. However, this doesn't fix the fact that in the past, Curse did falsively advertise past contests of this similar nature. I had an ad in the curse client one time tell me to click to enter a sweepstakes, so that's what I did. And guess what? I expected an entry form, but instead was falsely advertised to get to a page that told me I had to pay for curse premium in order to enter. Now THAT is false advertising, and I don't know how the heck curse has been able to get away with this ****.
In that one case, there is a sweepstakes where anyone can enter online. However, in that case they benefit by collecting contact information used to send offers to you.
Anyone can enter, but you must have a certain amount of Coke points to enter:
"c. Free Method of Entry: During any Individual Sweepstakes Period, hand print your name, address, phone number, My Coke Rewards username (email address), age, and the title of the particular sweepstakes you wish to enter (as set forth on the "Sweepstakes" page) on a 3" x 5" piece of paper and mail it in an envelope with proper postage to "2011 My Coke Rewards Sweepstakes" and write the title of the particular sweepstakes that you wish to enter on the envelope, c/o ePrize, LLC, Dept. #568873, P.O. Box 5995 Kalamazoo, MI 49003-5995."
So no, we operate our contests like many other popular corporations. Sir_Sal made a great point, it doesn't take much to mail in a form (Versus spending thousands of dollars to fly yourself). Or you could spend as much as one bottle of soda a month on a service that gives you access to beta keys, ad-free browsing, and a chance to win trips to major gaming events, not to mention knowing your purchase helps support this large community of 777,640 members.
In that one case, there is a sweepstakes where anyone can enter online. However, in that case they benefit by collecting contact information used to send offers to you.
Anyone can enter, but you must have a certain amount of Coke points to enter:
"c. Free Method of Entry: During any Individual Sweepstakes Period, hand print your name, address, phone number, My Coke Rewards username (email address), age, and the title of the particular sweepstakes you wish to enter (as set forth on the "Sweepstakes" page) on a 3" x 5" piece of paper and mail it in an envelope with proper postage to "2011 My Coke Rewards Sweepstakes" and write the title of the particular sweepstakes that you wish to enter on the envelope, c/o ePrize, LLC, Dept. #568873, P.O. Box 5995 Kalamazoo, MI 49003-5995."
So no, we operate our contests like many other popular corporations. Sir_Sal made a great point, it doesn't take much to mail in a form (Versus spending thousands of dollars to fly yourself). Or you could spend as much as one bottle of soda a month on a service that gives you access to beta keys, ad-free browsing, and a chance to win trips to major gaming events, not to mention knowing your purchase helps support this large community of 777,640 members.
I still see it as both a scam and illegal with requiring payment before being able to view the entry form that everyone should be able to see. Coke's giveaway people can enter up to 50 times a day, yours you can only enter once. Period. So I can agree to why they want you to have coke points. But I do NOT agree with the way Curse is running this contest.
Another thing I will add is I refuse to subscribe to Curse Premium primarily for the fact that Curse's support sucks. No offense intended, but if you wish to be selling a product and/or service, then wait times on both tickets and support forum threads need to be lowered by about 90% of what they are now. Seriously, I should not need to wait 72~96 hours for a response on a support ticket, only to find out I'm being requested to submit more information and/or find out the solution proposed doesn't work, hence initiating another 72~96-hour wait. Heck, there's even threads in which further staff support is needed, but hasn't even been looked at for over a month!</rant>
So out of the THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of people who have helped Minecraft become3 what it is today, by purchasing the game, 2 people get free trips, and less than 30 other people get prizes that don't exceed more than a thousand dollars? AND you have to register to CURSE ( More money b/c its premium members only... WTF ) Way to show how you care about the people who made this what it is. I'd love to go to Minecon with my wife for FREE but, no thanks.
Actually, if you look at other major contests, such as ones operated by Pepsi or Coca Cola, you can enter those without purchase, but you are still required to mail in an entry.
Curse operates our contests like all other major contests.
They only run contests in countries where they have an international headquarters. Being a global country with a HQ in that country allows them to operate under the legal umbrellas of that country.
Curse is a US company so those same foreign(to us) countries impose additional fees and legal hoops to jump through, which is what I was referring to in the rest of that post you quoted.
And their entry form is visible to all as well, not just a select few who line your pockets with their hard-earned money. For example: Pepsi's current sweepstakes: http://www.choosepepsiandjoinuslive.com/
The problem with Curse is they do a LOT of false advertising. You want to know what that is?
Hmm, I see you cleverly reworded the OP, but when it was originally posted, the advertising text of the OP implied that all people can enter just by clicking on the link. However, this doesn't fix the fact that in the past, Curse did falsively advertise past contests of this similar nature. I had an ad in the curse client one time tell me to click to enter a sweepstakes, so that's what I did. And guess what? I expected an entry form, but instead was falsely advertised to get to a page that told me I had to pay for curse premium in order to enter. Now THAT is false advertising, and I don't know how the heck curse has been able to get away with this ****.
"A whole 24 cents for a stamp??? And that 3 min drive to the mailbox?!?! Who is coming up with these outrageous prices? Do you know what the sun does to my skin if I leave my cave for more than 12 seconds? I burn, painfully. Curse, you are obviously not worth my time. Not even for a chance to go to Minecon for practically no money out of my own pocket. Or a chance at a solid state drive (which is such a win for a first place prize too). Nope, you have disappointed me Curse. Let me ***** and complain for the next twelve posts about why I hate you."
That's kinda what I glean from most ranting posts. As for the contest being US only, I can feel your pain there, and I wish there was more they could do for you, but in all honesty, it's easier for Curse not to have to fly someone from the EU all the way to the US and back, but still, I understand your pain. I still don't quite understand why Notch chose Vegas, other than he's been quoted saying that he loves the place. Also, the US kinda is win, so making a name for yourself is much easier to do here than anywhere else in the world. We may be the spoiled brats of the world (trust me, I see it too), but we really do get things done around here when we have to. Now that my rant is done, can't wait to see who the winner is!!!
In that one case, there is a sweepstakes where anyone can enter online. However, in that case they benefit by collecting contact information used to send offers to you.
If you look at Coca Cola's giveaway: http://www.mycokerewards.com/sweepstakes/deltas-spectacular-vip-holiday-weekend-getaway-in-new-york-city/14519
Anyone can enter, but you must have a certain amount of Coke points to enter:
"c. Free Method of Entry: During any Individual Sweepstakes Period, hand print your name, address, phone number, My Coke Rewards username (email address), age, and the title of the particular sweepstakes you wish to enter (as set forth on the "Sweepstakes" page) on a 3" x 5" piece of paper and mail it in an envelope with proper postage to "2011 My Coke Rewards Sweepstakes" and write the title of the particular sweepstakes that you wish to enter on the envelope, c/o ePrize, LLC, Dept. #568873, P.O. Box 5995 Kalamazoo, MI 49003-5995."
So no, we operate our contests like many other popular corporations. Sir_Sal made a great point, it doesn't take much to mail in a form (Versus spending thousands of dollars to fly yourself). Or you could spend as much as one bottle of soda a month on a service that gives you access to beta keys, ad-free browsing, and a chance to win trips to major gaming events, not to mention knowing your purchase helps support this large community of 777,640 members.
I still see it as both a scam and illegal with requiring payment before being able to view the entry form that everyone should be able to see. Coke's giveaway people can enter up to 50 times a day, yours you can only enter once. Period. So I can agree to why they want you to have coke points. But I do NOT agree with the way Curse is running this contest.
Another thing I will add is I refuse to subscribe to Curse Premium primarily for the fact that Curse's support sucks. No offense intended, but if you wish to be selling a product and/or service, then wait times on both tickets and support forum threads need to be lowered by about 90% of what they are now. Seriously, I should not need to wait 72~96 hours for a response on a support ticket, only to find out I'm being requested to submit more information and/or find out the solution proposed doesn't work, hence initiating another 72~96-hour wait. Heck, there's even threads in which further staff support is needed, but hasn't even been looked at for over a month!</rant>
Jedyst