An astute observer wrote in questioning how Online Booty Call is running it’s OBC Million Dollar Sweepstakes. I can’t believe I just typed that.
GRAND PRIZE DRAW: Within fifteen (15) days of the end of the Promotion Period, an independent judging organization (the “Promotion Judges”) will randomly draw one (1) entry (the “Potential Winners” of the Sweepstakes Prize from among all eligible entries received. The odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received during the entire Promotion Period. The random draw will be held in San Diego, CA, USA. The Potential Winner will be eligible to win the Sweepstakes prize, subject to verification of eligibility under these Official Rules.
Once selected, the Grand prize contestants odds of winning the Grand prize are 1 in 220. The selected Grand prize contestant will then be presented twelve (12) OBC Million Dollar Sweepstake security draw envelopes. The contestant will be asked to open three (3) of the security draw envelopes for a chance to match the three (3) winning symbols. The contestant wins the Grand Prize if successful in matching the three winning symbols.
If I read this correctly, and I’m not certain that I am, they are choosing one person who has a one in 220 chance of winning the one million dollars (cue Dr. Evil laugh). Then the odds plummet to a number I can’t begin to fathom.
I would expect any member to be able to enter, one of them wins a million dollars. I’m not even going to get out my abacus to figure out the odds based on the current rules. Did you buy this from a company that sells sweepstakes?
OBC is the new kid on the casual dating block and they have a great speedboat but we are paying attention to their every move.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like a scam, even if it’s not it’s pretty shady
Actually what they are saying is once they pick a grand prize contestant, the odds of picking the correct 3 envelopes out of 12 envelopes is 1 in 220. This is calculated by the formula 3! / 12! – 9! where 3! = 3*2*1. And no, this isn’t rocket science. And no I don’t work for OBC. It’s actually a common question on the GMAT.
So it’s not a scam, but it does depend on the number of entries. If they get 10,000 entries, the odds of winning are 1/(10,000 x 220) or 1 in 2.2 million, which really aren’t too bad odds for winning a million dollars in a free contest. But I hope everybody thinks it’s a scam so nobody enters. Then my odds are 1 in 220.
What’s the point of running a competition people can’t win? All the value in a competition is from someone holding a big fat check (the paper kind, not the mid-european kind) saying “I did it, you can do it too”.
This could really backfire on them.
(and I admit, I’m a little jealous that the laws in the UK wouldn’t allow that to take place even if we wanted to!) :(
Guys, we (OBC) give away $6,000 every month, so we decided to make the stakes even higher and give people a chance to win 1 million dollars.
If you paid attention, (Ross and Taw) we’re also giving away $1,000 to 10 qualifiers and $10,000 to the member who refers the most females.
Have you ever looked into the odds of winning the lottery? This is wayyyyyy easier. We’ll keep you updated when we announce the winners :0)
Yup, am not good at paying attention :)
I like the idea though – would be good to see how it goes, like the thinking behind it and it’s refreshing to see new methods of marketing in the industry,
Ross
No worries Ross, we know you’re a good guy. Our team met you at idate in Miami.
As far as new methods of marketing, if it involves constantly risking absurdity*, then we’re all about it.
*Lawrence Ferlinghetti
This is a great marketing strategy.
Tony
This is a reprehensible scam.
come let get money