DEAD: Madden NFL 2004 for PC - $14.88 @ Target (B&M only) - hotter if OOS!

[leonc]

Originally posted by: SpongeBobPalmBay
I'm going to come out of the shadows and say what all of you did here was WRONG. You found a loop hole in the system and took advantage of it.

This was not a HOT DEAL by any means. It was a con job and all involved should be ashamed.

It was not a con job. It was a policy by Target. People who bought WinXP took advantage of it. People who bought other PC games followed the rules as Target intended them to be followed. At the Target
I went to, the guy said they never received any copies of Madden 2004. Target picked the discount. Target
offered the raincheck with the substitution option. Target even asked "how many would you like" (since many
would not have thought to ask for more than 1). There was no con in that case. You just seem to be pissed
at others because they got in on a deal that you did not. The only thing that happened to Target is that many
found out about the deal because of AT and FW. That applies to every hot deal posted here.

 

[Abrasive]

Originally posted by: leonc

Originally posted by: SpongeBobPalmBay
I'm going to come out of the shadows and say what all of you did here was WRONG. You found a loop hole in the system and took advantage of it.

This was not a HOT DEAL by any means. It was a con job and all involved should be ashamed.

It was not a con job. It was a policy by Target. People who bought WinXP took advantage of it. People who bought other PC games followed the rules as Target intended them to be followed. At the Target
I went to, the guy said they never received any copies of Madden 2004. Target picked the discount. Target
offered the raincheck with the substitution option. Target even asked "how many would you like" (since many
would not have thought to ask for more than 1). There was no con in that case. You just seem to be pissed
at others because they got in on a deal that you did not. The only thing that happened to Target is that many
found out about the deal because of AT and FW. That applies to every hot deal posted here.

Hear! Hear! Bravo my good fellow, bravo!

 

[tennisflip]

If anything we helped Target realize the flaws of their policies.

 

[unclebud]

realize the flaw in their policy?
of what? of trying to do something good for the consumer for a change -- instead of paying attention ONLY to the bottom line? bet THAAT
man, please

"boo hiss," whatever .... thanks for the info guys, im gonna go return it without the receipt and get halo
was like, "what would be the point of that?"

like he's pasting a "kick me" sign on his back or something
dude, do us a favor and return that anandtech membership (without a reciept) and exchange for a fatheadwallet one
thanks in advance

 

[PoPPeR]

Originally posted by: SpongeBobPalmBay
I'm going to come out of the shadows and say what all of you did here was WRONG. You found a loop hole in the system and took advantage of it.

This was not a HOT DEAL by any means. It was a con job and all involved should be ashamed.

hmm... nope, don't feel ashamed at all. Sorry

 

[Fingolfin269]

Wow, some of the nifty stuff in this thread goes a long ways towards pissing me off.

I have no problem with someone getting ONE raincheck and then using that RC to get ONE other piece of software.
But, using 4? 5? WTF. Why not just use 1000? Then, you can buy all of their inventory at 63% off and start your own web service to 'liquidate' your going out of business '30% off EVERYTHING' sale.

Well, I'm glad that some people have decided to take extreme advantage of this VERY generous Target RC policy. I truly hope they get rid of it now.

I guess thinking of the 'collective' good when it comes to these Hot Deals never really occurs to some.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: leonc

Originally posted by: SpongeBobPalmBay
I'm going to come out of the shadows and say what all of you did here was WRONG. You found a loop hole in the system and took advantage of it.

This was not a HOT DEAL by any means. It was a con job and all involved should be ashamed.

It was not a con job. It was a policy by Target. People who bought WinXP took advantage of it. People who bought other PC games followed the rules as Target intended them to be followed. At the Target
I went to, the guy said they never received any copies of Madden 2004. Target picked the discount. Target
offered the raincheck with the substitution option. Target even asked "how many would you like" (since many
would not have thought to ask for more than 1). There was no con in that case. You just seem to be pissed
at others because they got in on a deal that you did not. The only thing that happened to Target is that many
found out about the deal because of AT and FW. That applies to every hot deal posted here.

Well said, Leon.

I've got no shame here. It's not a loop hole at all. The policy, written right on the raincheck, says, in big letters, Choose a Substitute, with clear instructions to choose another of the same type of item for the same percent discount. Right on the raincheck: TV for TV, doll for doll, shirt for shirt. It's not some obscure rule buried deep within their policies.

SpongeBob, have you even seen a scan of the raincheck?

And, hats off to the Target employees; I have yet to encounter an employee that
a) didn't understand the policy written directly on the raincheck or
b) didn't know how to enter a percentage discount for an item.
Must have some pretty decent cashier training.

Anyway, that's just a Random Opinion.

 

[Jmman]

Why should I feel sorry about this deal? The RC clearly says I have the right to substitute an item in the same category and get 63% off. How is accepting that offer fraudulent, dishonest, etc. I am simply playing according to the rules that Target set. I think some members here need to get off their high horse already.......:disgust:

 

[Fingolfin269]

I think some of you are simply missing the 'big picture'. Most of you could really care less about Madden 2004 for the PC right? Yet, you had no problem going in and taking advantage of a great customer service offer MULTIPLE times. As I said previously, I have no problem at all with someone doing it once. Hell, I did it once. But, the big picture here is that if every one of us here, at FW, at HardOCP, at "Insert Deal Site Here" actually grabbed 18 RC's each and took advantage of this 'omgphatlewt' deal, then more than likely the RC policy will change.

I guess my beef is that too many people simply think of themselves and don't think of the collective 'big picture' when it comes to this stuff.

 

[PoPPeR]

you're on an internet forum read by millions of people. A good percentage of the registered and non-registered readers have targets nearby. Everyone that posted in this thread can come to a collective agreement giving their solumn oath that they wont abuse this deal, yet the million others reading this thread will go out and exploit it to the fullest.

What you're asking for is no less then an act of God. This is America. Real life people don't give a fvck about the collective good of things, let alone a million people reading an internet forum.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I think some of you are simply missing the 'big picture'. Most of you could really care less about Madden 2004 for the PC right? Yet, you had no problem going in and taking advantage of a great customer service offer MULTIPLE times. As I said previously, I have no problem at all with someone doing it once. Hell, I did it once. But, the big picture here is that if every one of us here, at FW, at HardOCP, at "Insert Deal Site Here" actually grabbed 18 RC's each and took advantage of this 'omgphatlewt' deal, then more than likely the RC policy will change.

I guess my beef is that too many people simply think of themselves and don't think of the collective 'big picture' when it comes to this stuff.

I'm not missing the big picture at all. I didn't abuse the privilege by asking for 18 rainchecks at once. However, I did take advantage of the offer. More than once, in fact, but with discretion and control. And I did buy Madden 2004 as well. But I can only control my actions; neither I nor you can make the PhatLewters of the world change to fit a particular "moral code", for lack of a better term. Further, it's not my place to change them. People will do what they will. I don't have to like what they do, and I can even complain about it... but what good will it do when directed towards people of a selfish mindset? Do you honestly think that someone who "abuses" a stated policy will care about what your (or my) opinion is on the matter?

I'm not saying you're right or wrong. I'm just saying that you'd have better luck beating your head against the wall.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
you're on an internet forum read by millions of people. A good percentage of the registered and non-registered readers have targets nearby. Everyone that posted in this thread can come to a collective agreement giving their solumn oath that they wont abuse this deal, yet the million others reading this thread will go out and exploit it to the fullest.

What you're asking for is no less then an act of God. This is America. Real life people don't give a fvck about the collective good of things, let alone a million people reading an internet forum.

Well said. Illustrates my point even better. Thanks!

 

[Fingolfin269]

Nah, I completely understand what you two are saying. There's just a point where sometimes I feel the need to vent, and this just happened to be one of those points.

It's just an example of why certain companies can't do certain things. Because, no matter what the good intention, there is always someone out there looking to make a quick buck by exploiting those intentions.

 

[tennisflip]

Originally posted by: unclebud
realize the flaw in their policy?
of what? of trying to do something good for the consumer for a change -- instead of paying attention ONLY to the bottom line? bet THAAT
man, please

"boo hiss," whatever .... thanks for the info guys, im gonna go return it without the receipt and get halo
was like, "what would be the point of that?"

like he's pasting a "kick me" sign on his back or something
dude, do us a favor and return that anandtech membership (without a reciept) and exchange for a fatheadwallet one
thanks in advance

What they're doing is GREAT. I agree with that. But they could be more specific with the substitutions and such since it seems like the deal differs from store to store and person to person. That's what ambiguity gets you. I did substitute a similarly priced game for Madden, but I don't think people should be trying to sub items like XP. That some people were able to get away with this seems like a flaw to me.

 

[unclebud]

return and rebuy policies weren't so stringent until roguish people started taking advantage of them
dude done said RIGHT IN THIS THREAD that he is trying to commit straight-up fraud
who knows how many people (that are like him) out there, doing the same

 

[rainypickles]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
you're on an internet forum read by millions of people. A good percentage of the registered and non-registered readers have targets nearby. Everyone that posted in this thread can come to a collective agreement giving their solumn oath that they wont abuse this deal, yet the million others reading this thread will go out and exploit it to the fullest.

What you're asking for is no less then an act of God. This is America. Real life people don't give a fvck about the collective good of things, let alone a million people reading an internet forum.

Well said. Illustrates my point even better. Thanks!

everyone takes a crap in the middle of the street. i wish everyone wouldn't take dumps in the middle of the street. they don't care about what i think and are too lazy to find bathrooms, so they insist on dumping in the street. well, i can't fight it; the street is gonna be filthy anyways, so i might as well drop my pants.

doing it because everyone else is doing it doesnt make it right, or even ok. i'd say do the right thing, but you have your own version of right.

 

[unclebud]

"But they could be more specific with the substitutions and such since it seems like the deal differs from store to store and person to person. That's what ambiguity gets you."

the average human doesn't even think of hot deals, let alone ways in which they can be abused
i got a raincheck for that hp 3.1 cam and printer bundle @ tgt a few weeks ago
the first thing i looked at was the clause that said they would sub it for something else at the same price.
the fallout from this is gonna be some of these little morons posting raincheck deals "STEAMING!!! raincheck for just my size pantyhose can be used for $5 off black and decker drill! come and get it!"
just like om and od threads of late "HOT! paper clip b1g1f @ OD! HURRY!"

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: rainypickles

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
you're on an internet forum read by millions of people. A good percentage of the registered and non-registered readers have targets nearby. Everyone that posted in this thread can come to a collective agreement giving their solumn oath that they wont abuse this deal, yet the million others reading this thread will go out and exploit it to the fullest.

What you're asking for is no less then an act of God. This is America. Real life people don't give a fvck about the collective good of things, let alone a million people reading an internet forum.

Well said. Illustrates my point even better. Thanks!

everyone takes a crap in the middle of the street. i wish everyone wouldn't take dumps in the middle of the street. they don't care about what i think and are too lazy to find bathrooms, so they insist on dumping in the street. well, i can't fight it; the street is gonna be filthy anyways, so i might as well drop my pants.

doing it because everyone else is doing it doesnt make it right, or even ok. i'd say do the right thing, but you have your own version of right.

That's the point; I didn't do it just because everyone else is doing it. I exercised my judgement. I didn't "drop my pants and dump in the street", as you graphically illustrate. And I can argue against it all day long, but I'm probably not going to change the minds of people who are going to go ahead and "abuse the system" anyway.

Besides, taking advantage of a deal and abusing a rule are two entirely different things. Some did abuse the rule, I would agree.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Nah, I completely understand what you two are saying. There's just a point where sometimes I feel the need to vent, and this just happened to be one of those points.

It's just an example of why certain companies can't do certain things. Because, no matter what the good intention, there is always someone out there looking to make a quick buck by exploiting those intentions.

I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[PoPPeR]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Nah, I completely understand what you two are saying. There's just a point where sometimes I feel the need to vent, and this just happened to be one of those points.

It's just an example of why certain companies can't do certain things. Because, no matter what the good intention, there is always someone out there looking to make a quick buck by exploiting those intentions.

I wholeheartedly agree.

yeah i know the feeling. Personally I don't feel too bad. The first time I did this, I asked the supervisor if I could do it for a console game, and she said yes, but i'd have to pay the difference. She said she'd give it to me for 14.88 + the $10 difference, so I paid about $26 for XBox The Sims: Busted Out or whatever, as a birthday present to my little sister.

The second time, I just really wanted FFXI. I normally don't buy PC games because the only thing I play is counter-strike, but I was craving FFXI so I used it on that.

I guess I exploited it a little bit, but as karma would have it, my CD Burner broke last night and all the OM's in the bay area are out of the $80 substitution lite-on 8x dual dvdrw

 

[Slickone]

I've gone to buy something advertised in a flyer on sale or with a MIR time and time again where the store was OOS and never did have the item in stock. IMO that isn't right. All stores do it. Lukily target offers a sub. We used it. I'd say the only abusers are ones that got XP, ones that hid copies of Madden, or bought the last one(s), planning to return them later.
So if we used the policy as it states on the form, to sub a TV for a TV (say a few of em), for $25-$35e less than one that was OOS, is that wrong too?

 

[carmann]

Originally posted by: Slickone
I've gone to buy something advertised in a flyer on sale or with a MIR time and time again where the store was OOS and never did have the item in stock. IMO that isn't right. All stores do it. Lukily target offers a sub. We used it. I'd say the only abusers are ones that got XP, ones that hid copies of Madden, or bought the last one(s), planning to return them later.
So if we used the policy as it states on the form, to sub a TV for a TV (say a few of em), for $25-$35e less than one that was OOS, is that wrong too?

I wouldn't even call buying XP abuse. If the employee/Mgr said it was ok, how is this abuse?

I didn't buy XP but I did buy Office 2003. I asked the electronics Supervisor about the substitution and she said pick ANY computer software you want. When I took Office up to her, she said it was fine because it was from the same dept and she was only doing what the raincheck said. She had absolutely no qualms about taking 63% off.

 

[russw]

oh I wish I had re-read this thread before I did on Saturday night AFTER Target had already closed

such a deal

end of moan,
...russ

 

[leonc]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I think some of you are simply missing the 'big picture'. Most of you could really care less about Madden 2004 for the PC right? Yet, you had no problem going in and taking advantage of a great customer service offer MULTIPLE times. As I said previously, I have no problem at all with someone doing it once. Hell, I did it once.

So did you originally intend to buy Madden 2003 and go to Target because you saw the ad? Or did you read the post about getting 63% off and do it when you saw that post? I think you did the same thing as others and are now just bitching because you didn't do more than 1 and have regrets now about what might have been. Target won't kill the policy because 1000 people did 3 instead of 1. They won't pull the policy because 100 people did 30 instead of 1. To them, that is no different than 5000 doing 1. If people visited multiple stores and got 1 per ticket, Target never even knew people did more than 1. The fact that both customer service and cashiers in electronics offered more than 1 without being asked means that they don't consider multiple substitutions with a raincheck abuse. I bought a few $10 and $20 titles for under $10. Did I get abused because I didn't save $25 per title? Nope. If the policy goes away, it goes away, but I am not going to regret not having used the policy while it was here. These types of deals are rare anyway, so when the arrive, you need to do what makes sense to you -- as long as it is legal and within the rules Target has put forth. We did and it is.

 

[unclebud]

"So did you originally intend to buy Madden 2003 and go to Target because you saw the ad?"
neither. i saw it on recon
a real hot dealer don't need a thread or a sku to determine if the deal is hot
might help, but certainly not necessary

"Or did you read the post about getting 63% off and do it when you saw that post?"
see above

1,000? 3,000? what if it's 20,000 and all of their friends? that's the good thing about thread views

"oh I wish I had re-read this thread before I did on Saturday night AFTER Target had already closed"

mr russ! *slaps my forehead*