Why The Lucky Case Game is No Deal
by Christine De Graff, Editor
The Sweepstakes Wire
Do you want a "chance to win" $10,000? Sure!
How about a "chance at a chance to win" $10,000? Huh? Ok, I guess.
Do you think it is worth paying $.99 for that chance at a chance to win???
Personally, I don't, but many people do. If you are one of the many people text messaging the number
of the "lucky case" during the Deal or No Deal game show, you will pay, and you might just pay more
than you think! First of all, you are paying $.99 for each guess - and, if you don't pick the "lucky
case", you aren't even being entered into the sweepstakes! Ridiculous? Wait, it gets worse!
The Rules
6. How To Register and Enter At Home by Cell Phone: If you have a text messaging capable cell phone
from a participating carrier, you may enter the Promotion once prompted to by the announcer, by sending
a text message to the short code 59595 with your guess of the number (1 through 6) of the "lucky case"
you are selecting from the gold briefcases. Standard text messaging rates apply. In addition, a premium
text message charge of $.99 will apply to all text messages sent and received in connection with the
Promotion. You will receive a "thank you" text message the following day including a DEAL OR NO DEAL
Insider message. This message provides additional information about the Show and its host that viewers
cannot get anywhere else. You may stop receiving text messages at any time by responding "end", "stop"
or "quit" to the thank you text message or to any of the messages. For every correct guess submitted
via text messaging, you will receive one (1) entry into the corresponding Grand Prize drawing or the
corresponding Bonus Grand Prize drawing (determined by date and time of entry) to select the Grand
Prize Winner or the Bonus Grand Prize winner (as applicable) and will subsequently be entered into the
Trip Prize drawing. Only correct guesses of the "lucky case" number will be eligible for the
corresponding Grand Prize drawing or the corresponding Bonus Grand Prize drawing (as applicable) and
the Trip Prize drawing. Please use caution and do not disrupt traffic or drive in an unsafe manner
while participating in the registration/entry process.
Yeah, ok "text message charge of $.99 will apply" - so what, right? You already said you thought it
was worth $.99. But, wait, read a little further.... "of $.99 will apply to all text messages sent and
received...."!!! Whoa! What do they mean by received? Keep reading! "You will receive a .... message
the following day.... You may stop receiving text messages... by responding to the thank you message or
to any of the messages....
Ok, I have heard enough. Let's do some math:
First, you text message your guess - $.99
Then, they send you a "thank you" message - $.99
Then, you send them a "stop" message - $.99
Cost: $2.97 for one "chance at a chance" (remember, if you guessed wrong, you aren't even in the
drawing!)
Now, if you are like most people, you probably didn't even read the rules, so you probably don't even
know you are getting charged for awhile.....
First, you text message your guess - $.99
Then, they send you a "thank you" message - $.99
Then, they probably send you a message to say "your lucky case was picked" or "your case wasn't so
lucky" - $.99
Then, they probably send you a message telling you who the lucky case winner was - $.99
Then, they might send you a reminder to play again next time - $.99
Then, they might remind you again - $.99
Then, you are sick of their text messages so send them a "stop" message - $.99 (if you are lucky enough
to send it this soon in their game)
Cost: $6.93
Ok, so what if you decide to enter the maximum number of guesses?? 10 right? That should cost you 10
guess text messages ($9.90) + 10 "thank you" replies ($9.90) + 10 "stop" messages ($9.90) = $29.70 -
right???
Guess again :) 10 is the maximum number of entries you can earn - you can guess until your cell phone
is shut off when you can't pay your bill!!!
BTW, did you know that you could have guessed online for free? Of course! No purchase necessary! After
all, this IS a legitimate sweepstakes, isn't it??
Online Entry: http://www.nbc.com/Deal_or_No_Deal/playwin/dondregister2.shtml
Official Rules: http://www.nbc.com/Deal_or_No_Deal/playwin/rules.shtml
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