Bestbuy and McDonalds(10/04/05 to 10/31/05)

[TSuellentrop]

I'd assume taht would work

 

[kuangs168]

i thought the rule said the BB bucks can't be used on apple products. so who ever want an IPOD it's not a good choice

 

[vetteguy]

I bought Quake 4 and FEAR today...handed the cashier $9 in BBB. She said "sorry, you can only use $3 on a game". I told her that the limit only applied to DVDs and CDs, not games or software. She was adamant that she was right, so called a manager over. He said "yep, she's right, only $3 per game". I told him how it clearly stated in the rules that those limits applied to DVDs and CDs, no where did it mention anything about games or software. He had to go "check it out" in the mysterious back room (which is becoming more and more like a used car dealership-"ooh...yeah, I'll have to go check with the boss about this deal") and then comes back and says "well, they (meaning corporate) just changed the rules to include video games". I told him that that was not my problem, I was abiding by the rules which had been presented to me. He went on to say they changed the rules because "Best Buy employees were stealing stacks of hundreds of the game pieces and using them". (which is obviously total BS, because a) they don't hand the pieces out at the store, and b) even if that's the case, they could still spend the points on stuff that didn't have this limit, he never said they were imposing a $3 limit on EVERYTHING. So anyway, he then goes "Well...since the rules JUST changed, THIS ONE TIME we'll let you do it", so they gave me the $9 off. Nothing...NOTHING p!$$es me off more when one of those fake manager-types acts like they're doing me a favor by honoring something they're supposed to be honoring in the first place (like when I bought a DVD that was on sale (in the ad) and it rang up at normal price, and the clerk wouldn't adjust it even when I showed her the ad, but the manager said he'd do it "this time"). I told him what I thought of their stupid policies and thanked him for doing what he was required to do anyway, paid for my games, and left. GOD I hate this store more every time I go in there.

 

[Snakexor]

 

[TSuellentrop]

if you cant buy apple things Ill buy something for the same price, return it w/o the receipt, then use the credit for the IPOD

 

[Justtaint]

Originally posted by: Devil2U
How to get Best Buy Bucks, and make a profit at it.

Last time McDonalds did this contest, I read the rules and got to thinking. By requesting game pieces by mail, I could actually come out ahead with best buy bucks. Here is how it would break down...

Example: 100 requests for game pieces. (you can make requests as often as you like, but NO mechanical means can be used to address the enveloples, do it by hand) Each request will net you One (1) Game Piece and One (1) Chance Piece. You WILL get either a $1 or $3 BB Buck and you might win something else with the other piece (food, other prize, or nothing)

Given that you have a 1 in 3 chance of getting a $3 BB buck, here is what you can expect to get back.

Worst Case: $100 BB Bucks
Best Case: $300 BB Bucks
Probable Case Based on Odds in Rules: $165 BB Bucks

Cost to send 100 submissions:
Number 6 envelopes can be had from many drug stores on sale for 300 for $1. Add tax and you have $1.08. You will need 200 envelopes, as you need one to send in and one that they will send back. Total Cost: $0.72

Stamps: You will need 200 stamps. $0.37 each
Total Cost: $74.00

Complete COST: $74.72
So, using the probable outcome I discussed above. You will most likely gross $165 BB Bucks, subtract your costs ($74.72), which leaves you with $90.28.

In other words, you are most likely going to save 45.284% on your purchase at BB.
(74.72/165=0.45284)

Now this is assuming your time is free, which it may or may not be. Consider this, if you only fill out the senders field (the TO field).
Writing the McDonnalds address took me about 45secs. Writing my address took about 25 secs. Total, 70 secs times 100 entires equals 1hr and 57 minutes. Given the figures above, you are making about $45 an hour doing this. Not bad!

Keep in mind, the max amount of BB Bucks that can be redeemed per day (and therefore per purchase) is $300. So, the sweet spot for submissions would be no more than 182 requests.

Finally, this is not meant to be a waste of time. I would rather not spend more money and eat a ton of unhealthy food in order to win something in this contest. Before you get that 100 roll of stamps, you better get your mind set on what you want to spend it on at Best Buy and ask yourself these questions...
1. Is it excluded by the rules for purchase with BB Bucks?
2. Can I get it for 45% off elsewhere?
3. Am I ready to spend 2 hours writing on envelopes?

Also, it is more fun finding loopholes in the game that will benefit you. I am going to send one request and see what I get back. If that works, then I guess I will gear up for the big one.


Read up on the rules before attemping:
http://mcdstaging.promotions.com/monopoly/rules.html

Your math is wrong. If $165 in BB bucks only costs $74.72, that's a saving of 54.7%
The correct calculation is ($165-$74.72)/$165=54.7%
You are saving $90.28, which is clearly a savings of greater than 50%


The savings gets trickier if you factor in that you might be able to use them both online and instore.


P.S. I forgot to add that I do appreciate you doing the math in the first place. Your easy explanation has lead me to start my envelopes.

 

[Software2]

Hey, a couple of questions I don't think anyone's answered yet...

Are BBB usable both online and offline this time for sure or not?
Should I return an item purchased for BBB, can I use that store credit to buy anything?
And in addition to that, can I use multiple store credits to buy something over $300?

Daddy needs a new HD Plasma

 

[Pabster]

No, the codes are good online OR in store. Not both.

The answers to your other 2 questions are both yes.

 

[jcovercash]

Originally posted by: Justtaint

Originally posted by: Devil2U
How to get Best Buy Bucks, and make a profit at it.

Last time McDonalds did this contest, I read the rules and got to thinking. By requesting game pieces by mail, I could actually come out ahead with best buy bucks. Here is how it would break down...

Example: 100 requests for game pieces. (you can make requests as often as you like, but NO mechanical means can be used to address the enveloples, do it by hand) Each request will net you One (1) Game Piece and One (1) Chance Piece. You WILL get either a $1 or $3 BB Buck and you might win something else with the other piece (food, other prize, or nothing)

Given that you have a 1 in 3 chance of getting a $3 BB buck, here is what you can expect to get back.

Worst Case: $100 BB Bucks
Best Case: $300 BB Bucks
Probable Case Based on Odds in Rules: $165 BB Bucks

Cost to send 100 submissions:
Number 6 envelopes can be had from many drug stores on sale for 300 for $1. Add tax and you have $1.08. You will need 200 envelopes, as you need one to send in and one that they will send back. Total Cost: $0.72

Stamps: You will need 200 stamps. $0.37 each
Total Cost: $74.00

Complete COST: $74.72
So, using the probable outcome I discussed above. You will most likely gross $165 BB Bucks, subtract your costs ($74.72), which leaves you with $90.28.

In other words, you are most likely going to save 45.284% on your purchase at BB.
(74.72/165=0.45284)

Now this is assuming your time is free, which it may or may not be. Consider this, if you only fill out the senders field (the TO field).
Writing the McDonnalds address took me about 45secs. Writing my address took about 25 secs. Total, 70 secs times 100 entires equals 1hr and 57 minutes. Given the figures above, you are making about $45 an hour doing this. Not bad!

Keep in mind, the max amount of BB Bucks that can be redeemed per day (and therefore per purchase) is $300. So, the sweet spot for submissions would be no more than 182 requests.

Finally, this is not meant to be a waste of time. I would rather not spend more money and eat a ton of unhealthy food in order to win something in this contest. Before you get that 100 roll of stamps, you better get your mind set on what you want to spend it on at Best Buy and ask yourself these questions...
1. Is it excluded by the rules for purchase with BB Bucks?
2. Can I get it for 45% off elsewhere?
3. Am I ready to spend 2 hours writing on envelopes?

Also, it is more fun finding loopholes in the game that will benefit you. I am going to send one request and see what I get back. If that works, then I guess I will gear up for the big one.


Read up on the rules before attemping:
http://mcdstaging.promotions.com/monopoly/rules.html

Your math is wrong. If $165 in BB bucks only costs $74.72, that's a saving of 54.7%
The correct calculation is ($165-$74.72)/$165=54.7%
You are saving $90.28, which is clearly a savings of greater than 50%


The savings gets trickier if you factor in that you might be able to use them both online and instore.


P.S. I forgot to add that I do appreciate you doing the math in the first place. Your easy explanation has lead me to start my envelopes.

Yea but there is a state that is exempt for the return postage on the SASE. You can just send them an envelope with a stamp on the outside and a self addressed non stamped envelope on the inside.... This way it cost you 1/2 of what it would anyone else. I think the state is maine I belive....... not 100% sure though.

 

[steaming79]

best buy is such a scam. that limit on the usage of the bucks is lame. i can't wait til they burn my local bb down.

 

[cherrytwist]

Originally posted by: jcovercash

Originally posted by: Justtaint

Originally posted by: Devil2U
How to get Best Buy Bucks, and make a profit at it.

Last time McDonalds did this contest, I read the rules and got to thinking. By requesting game pieces by mail, I could actually come out ahead with best buy bucks. Here is how it would break down...

Example: 100 requests for game pieces. (you can make requests as often as you like, but NO mechanical means can be used to address the enveloples, do it by hand) Each request will net you One (1) Game Piece and One (1) Chance Piece. You WILL get either a $1 or $3 BB Buck and you might win something else with the other piece (food, other prize, or nothing)

Given that you have a 1 in 3 chance of getting a $3 BB buck, here is what you can expect to get back.

Worst Case: $100 BB Bucks
Best Case: $300 BB Bucks
Probable Case Based on Odds in Rules: $165 BB Bucks

Cost to send 100 submissions:
Number 6 envelopes can be had from many drug stores on sale for 300 for $1. Add tax and you have $1.08. You will need 200 envelopes, as you need one to send in and one that they will send back. Total Cost: $0.72

Stamps: You will need 200 stamps. $0.37 each
Total Cost: $74.00

Complete COST: $74.72
So, using the probable outcome I discussed above. You will most likely gross $165 BB Bucks, subtract your costs ($74.72), which leaves you with $90.28.

In other words, you are most likely going to save 45.284% on your purchase at BB.
(74.72/165=0.45284)

Now this is assuming your time is free, which it may or may not be. Consider this, if you only fill out the senders field (the TO field).
Writing the McDonnalds address took me about 45secs. Writing my address took about 25 secs. Total, 70 secs times 100 entires equals 1hr and 57 minutes. Given the figures above, you are making about $45 an hour doing this. Not bad!

Keep in mind, the max amount of BB Bucks that can be redeemed per day (and therefore per purchase) is $300. So, the sweet spot for submissions would be no more than 182 requests.

Finally, this is not meant to be a waste of time. I would rather not spend more money and eat a ton of unhealthy food in order to win something in this contest. Before you get that 100 roll of stamps, you better get your mind set on what you want to spend it on at Best Buy and ask yourself these questions...
1. Is it excluded by the rules for purchase with BB Bucks?
2. Can I get it for 45% off elsewhere?
3. Am I ready to spend 2 hours writing on envelopes?

Also, it is more fun finding loopholes in the game that will benefit you. I am going to send one request and see what I get back. If that works, then I guess I will gear up for the big one.


Read up on the rules before attemping:
http://mcdstaging.promotions.com/monopoly/rules.html

Your math is wrong. If $165 in BB bucks only costs $74.72, that's a saving of 54.7%
The correct calculation is ($165-$74.72)/$165=54.7%
You are saving $90.28, which is clearly a savings of greater than 50%


The savings gets trickier if you factor in that you might be able to use them both online and instore.


P.S. I forgot to add that I do appreciate you doing the math in the first place. Your easy explanation has lead me to start my envelopes.

Yea but there is a state that is exempt for the return postage on the SASE. You can just send them an envelope with a stamp on the outside and a self addressed non stamped envelope on the inside.... This way it cost you 1/2 of what it would anyone else. I think the state is maine I belive....... not 100% sure though.

It's Vermont. But hey, they're practically the same state anyway.

 

[Software2]

Originally posted by: steaming79
best buy is such a scam. that limit on the usage of the bucks is lame. i can't wait til they burn my local bb down.

Yeah, but if you can get around that by just returning the initial purchase and then using store credit, it's really not that big of a hassle. And if you sat there and waited for them to scan all 500 tickets, you can sit there a little while longer.


On a nice note, I found a local Grocery Store (Fred Meyer) that was selling postage books with coupons for $6.49 for a book of 20 stamps. Anyone else have a good way to cut cost on stamps?

 

[TSuellentrop]

i just mailed 35 out today 10/20
l'll post when I get them back.
And my Dad brought home McDonalds and i went 2/2 with $3 BBBs

 

[TSuellentrop]

Originally posted by: MrMaster

Originally posted by: labgeek

Originally posted by: Albaby348
Can you guys please post results of your "work" so far? Anyone recieved a large quantity of game pieces? Have any advice that has been overlooked in mentioning?

1st wave came in Saturday... 45 envelopes back so far, 125 sent. 50, 50 and 25 at a time - so I suspect ther 45 were out of the 1st 50. Wonder if I'll see the other 5. But of those 45, 22 were $3 BB Bucks, plus 2 breakfast meals, 3 large burgers, a breakfast sandwich, 1 small mcflurry, a few fries, and a few small drings.

When they come back you get 1 bb buck ($1 or $3) with the 2 game pieces AND another with 2 game pieces.

On the online game, I've won 25 prints twice...

Online I won a free ringtone. But because I have Verizon Wireless I can't get my free ringtone. So I get to download this really crappy time waster game instead. I'd rather have the rington.

I'm gonna wait to put in all of my codes untill an iTunes song is the instant win prize. Something worth having.

 

[TSuellentrop]

I was also thinking.... do hashbrowns come with BBBs? I doubt they do. But if they do and they are $1 or less you could buy a bunch of those and still make a bunch of $!

 

[Lopyswine]

do you guys think it is too late to get in on this?

if not i plan to send in some tomorrow... but its already the 20th and game ends 31st

with their laggy return schedule do you think they will get the evelopes stuffed by the 31st?

 

[TSuellentrop]

id say aslong as they get them before the 31st you will get them back. They probably won't send any back recieved after the 31st. Can you use the McDonalds game pieces after the 31st though? I mean what actually ends the 31st? Can you not clame any more prizes?

 

[labgeek]

BB Bucks expire 12/3. Food items expire sometime in Nov. Online game ends 11/15

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: labgeek
BB Bucks expire 12/3. Food items expire sometime in Nov. Online game ends 11/15

Crap they expire december? I dont know if its worth it then lol. Hmm, I live in CA, I wonder if that law about gift certificates about not having an experiation date applies here.

 

[dboy]

These are not Gift Certificates. GC laws don't apply. If you return an item bought with them, you get NOTHING back - no instore credit, no GC. These are consider coupons.

The only way to return something and get credit is to try to return w/o receipt. Good luck on that!

 

[labgeek]

Originally posted by: TSuellentrop
I'm gonna wait to put in all of my codes untill an iTunes song is the instant win prize. Something worth having.

Just FYI -- Only 10 codes per signup per day...

Since I've got an envelope full of pieces, we signed up several family members and they are playing their 10 everyday... little did they know.

 

[samduhman]

BEST BUY, those MF'ERS! I was planning on putting on my devil horns. Going in with the Target ad and pricematch AOE 3 for $43 and then dropping $12 in BBBucks on top of it.

Your telling me this isn't going to work now and I can only use $3!?

What irks me the most about this is I just did that last week for Dragonshard. I went in and used 3 BBbucks without any problem.


Forgot the post I was responding to so here it is.

I bought Quake 4 and FEAR today...handed the cashier $9 in BBB. She said "sorry, you can only use $3 on a game". I told her that the limit only applied to DVDs and CDs, not games or software. She was adamant that she was right, so called a manager over. He said "yep, she's right, only $3 per game". I told him how it clearly stated in the rules that those limits applied to DVDs and CDs, no where did it mention anything about games or software. He had to go "check it out" in the mysterious back room (which is becoming more and more like a used car dealership-"ooh...yeah, I'll have to go check with the boss about this deal") and then comes back and says "well, they (meaning corporate) just changed the rules to include video games". I told him that that was not my problem, I was abiding by the rules which had been presented to me. He went on to say they changed the rules because "Best Buy employees were stealing stacks of hundreds of the game pieces and using them". (which is obviously total BS, because a) they don't hand the pieces out at the store, and b) even if that's the case, they could still spend the points on stuff that didn't have this limit, he never said they were imposing a $3 limit on EVERYTHING. So anyway, he then goes "Well...since the rules JUST changed, THIS ONE TIME we'll let you do it", so they gave me the $9 off. Nothing...NOTHING p!$$es me off more when one of those fake manager-types acts like they're doing me a favor by honoring something they're supposed to be honoring in the first place (like when I bought a DVD that was on sale (in the ad) and it rang up at normal price, and the clerk wouldn't adjust it even when I showed her the ad, but the manager said he'd do it "this time"). I told him what I thought of their stupid policies and thanked him for doing what he was required to do anyway, paid for my games, and left. GOD I hate this store more every time I go in there.

 

[labgeek]

Take a printout of the rules from their own website with you... If they give you grief ask them to point out WHERE it says that. Make sure it has the URL, and that day's date so they can't claim it's been changed.

Claim - $3 limit applies to games
Counter - "video games" is specified in the "limit 3 of any title" line. Why is it specified there, and not on the $3 limit line if that were the case. CD's and DVD's are <$20 items, games are often MUCH higher.

Claim - limit qty 3 BB Bucks per title
Counter - The line limits the purchasing of 3 copies of ANY 1 title. It does NOT say that you can only use 3 BB Bucks "slips" per a title. Read that line carefully - I got it wrong the 1st time I looked at it. The line is "Limit 3 of any 1 CD, DVD or video game title per store visit." NOT Limit 3 (certificates) ON any 1 CD, DVD or video game title per store visit.

Claim - Corporate has changed the rules.
Counter - present your printout and ask why their own website has not been update IF this were true. (it's a bs answer when they have nothing to back themselves up)


URL to Best Buy's own webpage with Terms and Conditions: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...2101&type=page&contentId=1127211377441

Just realize you're going to be arguing semantics with a cashier and/or manager... It might be an exercise in futility.


I'd like to hear what other objections they raise so that we may be better prepared for them next time... So if you go and they cause problems, please post it here.

 

[samduhman]

Originally posted by: labgeek

Just realize you're going to be arguing semantics with a cashier and/or manager... It might be an exercise in futility.


I'd like to hear what other objections they raise so that we may be better prepared for them next time... So if you go and they cause problems, please post it here.

I just got back from McDonalds with another $3 BBbuck. Im just going to go as planned but with $15 in BBbucks now and see what happens.

Ya arguing with these people is more than its worth most of the time. I should just buy it at Target and support them for having it on sale in the first place.

 

[TSuellentrop]

every one here who have actually sent out envelopes should post when they sent them adn how many, and the dates they got them back adn how many each day

me:

10/20 = 35 sent
10/21 = 15 sent
~10/24-10/25 = will send 50