Contest Exclusivity

[donoram]

So this fine day as I watch Tekzilla, enjoying very much the episode, I see the contest for the youtube question to win a zune! Now, as today was "zune sponsors Rev3 Friday" I got pretty excited about the device by both Alex and Veronica's testimonials and reviews. I started thinking of a question immediately, hoping to tie it in with my love of tech and new found love of the "Vinyl Record Player". So suffice it to say I was severely disappointed when all the contest info pops up on the screen and I see this;

"Drawing open only to residents of the U.S. and those 18 or older."

Now half of that sucks, because you see, I'm 23. Why exactly is this contest exclusive to US residents? As a Canadian I can hop in a car and drive south one hour to the border, but I can't win a zune from a show I love because though I am on the same continent, I don't fall under the stars and stripes?

Now please don't get me wrong, you guys to the south are pretty decent folk, and I'm not making some kind of "boo America!" pledge, but I'm really disappointed that I can't participate. Honestly I'd just like to know why from something that isn't a form letter, and ask that in future contests, maybe you could think of your chilly neighbour to the north.

[rokov]

I suspect that they do that so that they don't have to pay some insane amount of shipping to send it halfway around the world. Although, I suppose that it's probably not much more expensive to ship it to Canada, so there might be some customs related reasons as well.

[mikec]

Revision3 is a company based in the US and they have legal folks who understand things like US tax laws and such. Another thing that they might worry about is silly things like US export rules. Not on a Zune, but on other things they may offer as a prize. Finally, is there any warranty differences between the US warranty and a Canadian Zune? Or a British unit?

Maybe in the future they can arrange with MS to provide a device from whatever region the winner is from, as long as the lawyers feel comfortable.

[donoram]

That seems a bit ludicrous. Why would the warranties vary? And I've imported from the US as well as brought goods across the border but I've never had to pay any real significant tariffs or what have you. It just feels a bit ridiculous that Canadians can't participate in the contest. Also, does this spill over to all Rev3 contests? I'd really love some concrete answers from anyone "in the know".

Also if someone from Alaska or Hawaii wins and shipping was the problem all along, I'll flip my lid.

[tokenuser]

And I've imported from the US as well as brought goods across the border but I've never had to pay any real significant tariffs or what have you.Its all about tax laws and liability. Taking things across the border personally is one thing. Sending something across the border is another. Making it US only eliminates those challenges.

Oh yeah - nyah nyah :p

[rabidbadger]

sorry folks. you are all wrong... US has laws about contests that say all are included and no-one can be excluded. Canada has contest rules that say you must "win" by getting an answer correct, even if the contest is "what does 1+1=?"

simplistic example, and haven't looked into it lately, but that is what I remember hearing years ago.


I think it all started with the tv game show scandals in the 50s.. and as usual in the US, got convoluted as hell after that.

[mod_wastrel]

US has laws about contests that say all are included and no-one can be excluded.

Except for the laws that say residents of specific states are not eligible (which happens all the time).

(But, other than that, yes, it is mostly about taxation and liability.)

[donoram]

If that's all the case then I'd really like to hear from anyone here at Revision3 about how to reach their next-door neighbour viewers with something that maybe we can participate in. You know, as a fan, sometimes it feels real nice to be included. It's not like we're on the other side of the planet.

[rabidbadger]

Guam is on the other side of the planet. they can play.

/rubbing it in.

love my canuck neihbors...

[veronicazilla]

Revision3 is a company based in the US and they have legal folks who understand things like US tax laws and such. Another thing that they might worry about is silly things like US export rules. Not on a Zune, but on other things they may offer as a prize. Finally, is there any warranty differences between the US warranty and a Canadian Zune? Or a British unit?

Maybe in the future they can arrange with MS to provide a device from whatever region the winner is from, as long as the lawyers feel comfortable.

The first half is right: it's legal mumbo-jumbo that we have no control over. It was the same at CNET and every other company I've worked for.

Sorry :(
Trust me, we're not out to deprive our friendly neighbors to the North on purpose!

[rabidbadger]

Veronica, you rock. please. don't be a stranger here. This forum is the nexus to the rev3 community, and the first step to a larger community... Kevin and Alex and Patrick are rarely here, but that don't suck, just wish they hung around as oftent as Jeff and Dan do. But hey, if they got time for twitter, then they got time for the hardcore fans here, the ones who spread the gospel, tell friends and family about rev3, and grow your franchise.

and V.. you are so welcome here it's unbearable. You are a delight to have around...

see ya here and on Pownce. errr. twitter.... er... tell kevin to eat his own dogfood, will ya? haha

[donoram]

*sigh* lame... it's definitely no fun watching from the sidelines.

[mikec]

Why would the warranties vary?

Ever slight differences in how a foreign subsidiary is created.