mats@dual.UUCP (Mats Wichmann) (05/18/84)
There has been a lot of mention of these `scams' recently, so I
thought it might be interesting to share the text of one of these
promotional gadgets with the rest of you.
The letter which I am about to reproduce from arrived a few days ago,
in an envelope with `Express Courier' printed on it, with the
design looking very much like a familiar deliver service (Hello, Federal!).
This was presumably to underline the `official' nature and time
value of the enclosed documents. Two pieces of paper were included,
one being essentially a letter detailing the fact that I have `won'
a constest; the other contains the legal stuff required to make this
legit (on the surface at least). As far as I can tell, there is nothing
illegal about this - all they are trying to do is bring you in for a sales
presentation. I have left out any refernce to the acutal organization
involved, because I see no reason to stir up trouble.
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Page One, come-on
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This is your official notfication that you've been selected as a finalist
in a national promotion to receive one of the following:
1. DATSUN NISSAN SENTRA
2. SEA CLOUD SPORT BOAT
3. $500.00 CASH
4. HONDA ATC 3-WHEELER
5. R.C.A. COLOR T.V.
The following people have won these gifts:
[ 5 names here, written in by a printer (i.e., not typset like the rest).
my name was one of the five ]
We are always pleased when our bigger gifts are claimed because it is good
publicity for our company. However, last year there were thousands of
dollars worth of unclaimed gifts simply because you failed to respond.
To claim your gift, call [ toll free number here ] for an available time and
date for you and your spouse to visit the beautiful [ xxx ] and attend
a sales presentation tour of their facilities. To retain your eligibility,
you must call within 3 days and visit within 21 days. Our operators are on
duty Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m., and from 6:00
a.m. till 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. The reservation center is closed Sundays and
Holidays.
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Page Two, legal corner
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CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY
This program is desgined for married couples between the ages of 21-65 who
are gainfully employed, credit worthy and can demonstrate a consistent
source of income of $25,000 or more. If married, both husband and wife must
be present. Current [ xxx ] members or employees, those connected with this
program, those not of legal age and those who have visited within the last
six months are ineligible to participate. Only one promotional program per
family per car. Your reference number will be matched to the official awards
lits at the time of your visit, and then you will receive your gift. The
retail values and odds of winning each gift are: Number One - one in one
hundred thousand (five thousand, nine hundred and ninety five dollars),
Number Two - ninety nine thousand, nine hundred and seventy in one hundred
thousand (sixty nine dollars and ninety five cents), Number Three - ten in
one hundred thousand (five hundred dollars), Number Four - ten in one
hundred thousand (one thousand, one hundred and eighty five dollars), Number
Five - ten in one hundred thousand (three hundred and twenty nine dollars).
The contest ends Dec. 31, 1984. The gifts being offered or comparable items
may cost less at some retail outlets. Styles and brands subject to
availability.
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Well, there you have it. I offer no further comment.
Mats Wichmann
Dual Systems Corp.
...{ucbvax,amd70,ihnp4,cbosgd,decwrl,fortune}!dual!matsrs55611@ihuxk.UUCP (Robert E. Schleicher) (05/18/84)
Referring to the promotional come-on described in detail by Mats Wichman, the high-probability prize (from the small print) was the "sport boat". Sounds pretty good, until you see that it's retail value is $69.95 (again, in the small print), and therefore, the cost to the company is probably in the $20 range. I called them up when I got the same promo, and they finally admitted that tyhe sport boat was actually a small, cheap radio- controlled boat about a foot or so long. Bob Schleicher ihuxk!rs55611 AT&T Bell Laboratories, Naperville, Ill.