Dealership sales scratch off in the mail.. question

[AmdEmAll]

Ok im pretty sure these are bs but i'd hate to rip something up that is a winner.

Basically it says there are 5 prizes.. there is a scratch off and it says 25k You're a winner...

Nothing in the fine print is saying anything weird that I see.. says "odds of winning $25,000 or new car: 1:500,000;

Other prizes are up to 30k cash ticket.. 50" tv.. ipad.. $25 gift card..

I would just assume most of them said $25 gift card?

Should I look into this or am I just being stupid?

EDIT: I won! screw all you guys

 

[KeithTalent]

just being stupid?

This.

KT

 

[sixone]

You'll have to go over there, talk to someone, give them your name and address, etc., right?

If the worst prize on their list is worth your time and effort, go for it. But don't count on winning anything better.

 

[AmdEmAll]

Its just weird because it doesn't mention in fine print having to match any #'s or anything.. just whatever the scratch off says

 

[lxskllr]

How much fine print is there? If it isn't much, find the real fine print.

 

[Red Squirrel]

There is probably fine print on some separate document that goes with that contest. It probably only applies if you are actually buying a vehicle within a certain time frame, loaded up to a certain extent, with extended warranty etc.

 

[Tweak155]

Is it from a reputable dealer? They use these to get people to come in. My guess is that it is towards a vehicle that is no longer available or something of that nature.

 

[Phoenix86]

There is probably fine print on some separate document that goes with that contest. It probably only applies if you are actually buying a vehicle within a certain time frame, loaded up to a certain extent, with extended warranty etc.

Pretty sure that's illegal. You can't have a contest where you are required to spend money to enter like this. That's called gambling.

 

[lxskllr]

Pretty sure that's illegal. You can't have a contest where you are required to spend money to enter like this. That's called gambling.

You have to carefully parse the wording they use. It could be a "contest" that isn't a contest. They play on people's preconceived notions, and try to direct their thought and attention to that, rather than the technical legal definitions of what they're really proposing.

 

[sixone]

It's a hook, to get you to on the lot so that they can try to sell you a car. They'll want your name and contact info, so that they can call you about deals next month or next year. They'll probably sell your info to other local dealers/service centers.

Nothing is free. You're going to pay, one way or another.

 

[SandEagle]

sue them if they don't honor it. that is false advertising and breach of contract.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Should I look into this or am I just being stupid?

Of course you're just being stupid. Any dealer that sends out a mailing like that is instantly proving to be a scammer and you should never even consider going there for any reason.

Either:

A) The fine print says something about a different prize, something like a plastic whistle, that everyone will win.

or

B) The $25 gift card is for a specific web site that sells $5 items for $49.99 and $20 shipping.


Probably B. That's how they get around the legality of it, the gift card is legit and if you choose to not use it it's not their problem.

 

[Kaido]

Is it from a reputable dealer? They use these to get people to come in. My guess is that it is towards a vehicle that is no longer available or something of that nature.

It's all a giant game. One of my local dealerships includes a 32" LCD TV with your car purchase. They can easily tack on $300 to the "fees" or the "car price" to cover it.

Heck, my dealer didn't even know what was on the website, let alone the specials or sales - a lot of places have a separate corporate marketing arm that is almost independent of them. I showed up wanting to check out a stick-shift hamstermobile (rare model, 99% are automatics) and he was surprised he even had it haha.

 

[Red Squirrel]

The car companies have so many gimmicks and stuff going on and it changes all the time too. My dad used to sell cars and used to hate that. Instead of having all these gimmicks just lower the price and leave it. But these gimmicks make people think they're saving.

Instead of making the car 20 grand, make it 25 grand but give 5 grand off if you buy it within the next month, hurry because this deal wont last! Which one looks better and more tempting to jump on? It's like stores who put a sale sticker but don't actually change the price. Best is when they cover the old sticker.

$20 $9.99!

Remove sticker:

$9.99

None of this is illegal if a megacorp is doing it.

 

[Tweak155]

The car companies have so many gimmicks and stuff going on and it changes all the time too. My dad used to sell cars and used to hate that. Instead of having all these gimmicks just lower the price and leave it. But these gimmicks make people think they're saving.

Instead of making the car 20 grand, make it 25 grand but give 5 grand off if you buy it within the next month, hurry because this deal wont last! Which one looks better and more tempting to jump on? It's like stores who put a sale sticker but don't actually change the price. Best is when they cover the old sticker.

$20 $9.99!

Remove sticker:

$9.99

None of this is illegal if a megacorp is doing it.

Any sale makes people think they're saving. In reality, regardless of how much they get off or how good the deal is, they're paying SOMETHING and saving nothing when spending.

 

[CZroe]

I routinely see these set up so that you "win" your way into the pool for that prize and they present it like you've already won. Read carefully and watch out for words like "could" and "might."

 

[DrPizza]

Read more carefully:

They generally say that if the the scratch off area matches, you are a winner. They do NOT say that you won what's in the scratch off area. So, you scratch off $20k and it matches - YES, YOU WON. But, in all likelihood, you won something insignificant, like a $1 coin. To claim your prize, you have to go to the dealer. While there, their best dealers will be sizing you up based on your vehicle, the age of your vehicle, etc. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't pulling info on your simply from your license plate number. For whatever demographic that they feel is more likely to purchase a vehicle, they start some aggressive sales tactics.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I got one in the mail a few weeks ago that had an LED or LCD scrolling screen attached to it. You pulled the tab connected to the battery and it told you that you won.

I was going to keep it and do something with it, but have too many other projects going on so I threw it away. It cracks me up that they're spending so much money on getting people to come in...when I'm guaranteed to throw their junkmail in the trash like everything else that's not a bill.

 

[sixone]

The last one I got had a key taped to it. It went into the trash.

 

[JTsyo]

Head in and if they try to pull one of the many stunts described here tell them, pay out the prize or you go to the local news to make a fuss.

 

[bruceb]

I had one with the key on it from the local Nissan dealer ... checked it out, key did not fit, only won a $1 lottery ticket from the dealer .. that only got me $2 in winnings from NJ Lottery

 

[CZroe]

Any sale makes people think they're saving. In reality, regardless of how much they get off or how good the deal is, they're paying SOMETHING and saving nothing when spending.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1gv9EXqRHA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[LTC8K6]

We get these from time to time, and compare the ones we get at different addresses. They are always identical. The keys are identical, the numbers are identical, the number under the scratch off is identical. We usually have several to compare between our houses and work, and they are all always identical.

And they always, without fail, say that everyone has won something.

 

[DrPizza]

The last one I got had a key taped to it. It went into the trash.

An idea that's semi-amused me: they announce the odds in their sweepstakes of someone winning the car. Allegedly, they send out the real key to the car to someone. If you could show up with your mailing, *real* key attached to it, and get in and start the car, I think they'd shit bricks.

(Perhaps visit the lot, find the VIN, and from that & $$ obtain a key? Not sure what you have to do when you get a key replaced at a dealer - can you show up at dealer #2, "here's my VIN, I lost my keys and my car is at home. Can you get me a new key? $160? Ouch. Here's the $160." )

What would they be able to do? Would they have to say, "wait! We lied! We really didn't randomly send the real key to someone." I.e., they'd have to admit to fraud (which would cost them money) in order to stop someone else from committing fraud.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

(Perhaps visit the lot, find the VIN, and from that & $$ obtain a key? Not sure what you have to do when you get a key replaced at a dealer - can you show up at dealer #2, "here's my VIN, I lost my keys and my car is at home. Can you get me a new key? $160? Ouch. Here's the $160." )

Great idea, took thieves about .000000000001 second to come up with that the moment they heard you can get a key made from the VIN. Since it worked once or twice ages ago now you have to prove ownership first. A VIN isn't enough, you'll need a valid registration.