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 Medium of Death wrote:
The height of the space marine made me rage a little.

Is everybody in GW HQ a dwarf?

No, They're the last secret holdout of the squats

Surely an average space marine is 8 feet?

Every now and then I stumble across another GW farce, another reminder why I left their shambles of a property behind!

 Dentry wrote:

 TheKbob wrote:
Oh, and don't forget, winning something like this means you have to pay tax on the winnings in the US.

Actually, you have to pay taxes just for winning the them (if they are a considered a prize). Even Nobel Prizes are taxed.

The only way to avoid this would be if the models were given as a gift as gifts of this nature are not taxed, I believe.

Of course, this only applies if the IRS become aware of the winnings.

IRS rules apply even if you Barter something. So if I go to a festival and I barter with you and I give you some nifty item I've made and we agree it's worth this thing you've made, and it's a fair deal, the IRS demands we pay tax on it. The US government wants it's piece of the pie in everything.

And some states want you to pay sales taxes on stuff you buy on the internet as well. (Although as the years have gone by, bigger vendors have gotten better about just charging your the proper sales tax up front). Not that most people actually sit down and attempt to track every thing they buy on the internet.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 OrlandotheTechnicoloured wrote:
You'd always be crazy to pay to enter a competition run by a big company... too many customers, the odds of winning will be terrible,

but on the other hand if your going to spend anyway entering is always worthwhile, you never know if your luck might be in

Considering several years ago, I actually got 3rd place in the christmas steam wishlist giveaway sales and won free copies of all the valve games.. There's always a chance.

Sadly, I already owned most of the valve games, so I basically got copies of the half life series to give to a friend, which sat around for several years until i found somebody to give them to who, didn't already have them.
Basically I got a free copy of one of the counter strike games at the time, and I was disappointed that the left4dead series wasn't included as extra copies.

 Delephont wrote:
Every now and then I stumble across another GW farce, another reminder why I left their shambles of a property behind!

And this is why we can't have nice things.

I wonder whether it is at all likely that somebody will report the whole 'must pay to win' competition to whatever the appropriate authorities are?

But then again, what can you expect from a legal code intended to keep folks from stealing pigs? (That preamble is one of the trippiest financial documents that I have ever seen... financial reporting as narrated by Hunter Thompson....)

The Auld Grump

It's just a competition guys... Jesus. And needing to buy something to enter a competition isn't exactly unique to GW. Ain't none'a y'all ever seen the phrase:

"Purchase any specially marked cans of [whatever] to enter..."

And it's not their fault that IRS charges tax on people for winning things. And it's not their fault that they don't want to go through the rigmarole of getting separate TPL's for every state and territory in Oz.

^ This, Its not a super big deal.

Buy stuff and have a small chance at winning a ton more stuff. If you don't want to buy stuff from them don't.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
It's just a competition guys... Jesus. And needing to buy something to enter a competition isn't exactly unique to GW.

Ain't none'a y'all ever seen the phrase:

"Purchase any specially marked can of [whatever] to enter..."

And it's not their fault that IRS charges tax on people for winning things. And it's not their fault that they don't want to go through the rigmarole of getting separate TPL's for every state and territory in Oz.

So, because they don't want to bother, then it is okay if they break the law?

As for those 'specially marked cans' - look at the fine print on those specially marked cans, which include an address to send off to for a free entry, since requiring you to make a purchase is against the law.... *EDIT* Even McDonald's has that in the fine print.

Does GW have an addie to send off to if you don't want to make a GW purchase? If not, then they are breaking the law.

The alternative is voiding the contest in all states and territories that do not allow paid entry promotional contests, including those in the US.

GW does not have a Get Out Of Jail Free card. They still have to obey the law.

The Auld Grump

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
It
. And it's not their fault that they don't want to go through the rigmarole of getting separate TPL's for every state and territory in Oz.

Which is technically what they have to do in the US; this sort of this sort of thing is only legal in a handful of states in the US to begin which is why American retailers all have "no purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law" at the start of all of their fine print. Let's use McDonalds as an example; every year they trot out Monopoly and you get free pieces when you buy stuff BUT if you read the contest rules, there's also an ability to enter by mail for free (postage cost is not charged by the retailer and the law doesn't require the retailer to shoulder the expense of your entry, just make the avenue available).


Edit: As GW is well aware through the Chapterhouse debacle, just because you write something down (UK law applies to this contest or whatever) doesn't make it so; they are a registered company in the US, performing commerce in the US and beholden to US laws.

 TheAuldGrump wrote:
As for those 'specially marked cans' - look at the fine print on those specially marked cans, which include an address to send off to for a free entry, since requiring you to make a purchase is against the law.... *EDIT* Even McDonald's has that in the fine print.

I don't usually do this but...

*ahem*

[Citation Needed]


I want to see this fine print (or an example of it from a similar competition) where purchasing a speciall marked [whatever] is somehow not mandatory?

 agnosto wrote:
Which is technically what they have to do in the US; this sort of this sort of thing is only legal in a handful of states in the US to begin which is why American retailers all have "no purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law" at the start of all of their fine print. Let's use McDonalds as an example; every year they trot out Monopoly and you get free pieces when you buy stuff BUT if you read the contest rules, there's also an ability to enter by mail for free (postage cost is not charged by the retailer and the law doesn't require the retailer to shoulder the expense of your entry, just make the avenue available).

How do you play the Monopoly game without the pieces?

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 TheAuldGrump wrote:
As for those 'specially marked cans' - look at the fine print on those specially marked cans, which include an address to send off to for a free entry, since requiring you to make a purchase is against the law.... *EDIT* Even McDonald's has that in the fine print.

I don't usually do this but...

*ahem*

[Citation Needed]


I want to see this fine print (or an example of it from a similar competition) where purchasing a speciall marked [whatever] is somehow not mandatory?

 agnosto wrote:
Which is technically what they have to do in the US; this sort of this sort of thing is only legal in a handful of states in the US to begin which is why American retailers all have "no purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law" at the start of all of their fine print. Let's use McDonalds as an example; every year they trot out Monopoly and you get free pieces when you buy stuff BUT if you read the contest rules, there's also an ability to enter by mail for free (postage cost is not charged by the retailer and the law doesn't require the retailer to shoulder the expense of your entry, just make the avenue available).

How do you play the Monopoly game without the pieces?

Linkage: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=t67OVMC4HLeSsQSl3IDgAQ&url=http://news.mcdonalds.com/getattachment/75e01167-bc36-46e9-9ce0-29b5a249659f&ved=0CB8QFjAA&usg=AFQjCNFNTaAkBsKWchJgvgVtHpjYHnxbJg&sig2=Lpir22HdNjUkHwweAw5U6A

You send them a self addressed, stamped envelope and they send you a free piece.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Apparently illegal in Canada too:http://business.financialpost.com/2013/11/20/no-purchase-necessary-and-other-contest-rules-your-franchise-needs-to-know/

Another example; Starbucks: http://www.starbucks.com/win

Still not enough? Here's a couple of lawyers writing about it:
http://adage.com/article/guest-columnists/online-sweepstakes-legal/149206/


Here's a Harvard Law graduate, practicing internet law since 1998 talking about it:http://www.quora.com/What-legal-issues-come-up-when-running-a-contest-or-giveaway

 Delephont wrote:
Every now and then I stumble across another GW farce, another reminder why I left their shambles of a property behind!

Same here but this is not one, its just a competition, they can do no right in certain peoples eyes.

 Rayvon wrote:

 Delephont wrote:
Every now and then I stumble across another GW farce, another reminder why I left their shambles of a property behind!

Same here but this is not one, its just a competition, they can do no right in certain peoples eyes.

Its because pretty much all of GWs "contests" and events have been marred by lazy rigging and favoritism for years, its hard not to be skeptical that they'll do it again.

Its never won by a guy who says "I could do with 7 feet worth of the most expensive kit with the smallest box" But then again few lotteries are won by intelligent people.

 Alpharius wrote:
I'm insisting on an Armored Space Marine Height's worth - ADB Night Lords version too, so 3 meters my friend, 3 meters!!!

You can insist until you're (Alpha Legion) blue in the face. They're (on average) 7 feet tall. The guy who designed them said so, he photographed himself in front of a picture of one that was 7 feet tall, and has stated that "true scale Marines" already exist - the standard GW kits - and that it's the regular humans that are too big.

So 7 feet it is. This competition only strengthens that claim.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:
I'm insisting on an Armored Space Marine Height's worth - ADB Night Lords version too, so 3 meters my friend, 3 meters!!!

You can insist until you're (Alpha Legion) blue in the face. They're (on average) 7 feet tall. The guy who designed them said so, he photographed himself in front of a picture of one that was 7 feet tall, and has stated that "true scale Marines" already exist - the standard GW kits - and that it's the regular humans that are too big.

So 7 feet it is. This competition only strengthens that claim.

Of course if the Marine in the picture would stand up straight ratber than going for a dramatic 'legs apart', you could get an extra box or two in.

Anyone know how tall the GW HQ statue is?

Need to order a few bits anyway so why not?
Slim chance but always worth a go.

 agnosto wrote:

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 TheAuldGrump wrote:
As for those 'specially marked cans' - look at the fine print on those specially marked cans, which include an address to send off to for a free entry, since requiring you to make a purchase is against the law.... *EDIT* Even McDonald's has that in the fine print.

I don't usually do this but...

*ahem*

[Citation Needed]

I want to see this fine print (or an example of it from a similar competition) where purchasing a speciall marked [whatever] is somehow not mandatory?

 agnosto wrote:
Which is technically what they have to do in the US; this sort of this sort of thing is only legal in a handful of states in the US to begin which is why American retailers all have "no purchase necessary, void where prohibited by law" at the start of all of their fine print. Let's use McDonalds as an example; every year they trot out Monopoly and you get free pieces when you buy stuff BUT if you read the contest rules, there's also an ability to enter by mail for free (postage cost is not charged by the retailer and the law doesn't require the retailer to shoulder the expense of your entry, just make the avenue available).

How do you play the Monopoly game without the pieces?

Linkage: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=t67OVMC4HLeSsQSl3IDgAQ&url=http://news.mcdonalds.com/getattachment/75e01167-bc36-46e9-9ce0-29b5a249659f&ved=0CB8QFjAA&usg=AFQjCNFNTaAkBsKWchJgvgVtHpjYHnxbJg&sig2=Lpir22HdNjUkHwweAw5U6A

You send them a self addressed, stamped envelope and they send you a free piece.

Automatically Appended Next Post:
Apparently illegal in Canada too:http://business.financialpost.com/2013/11/20/no-purchase-necessary-and-other-contest-rules-your-franchise-needs-to-know/

Another example; Starbucks: http://www.starbucks.com/win

Still not enough? Here's a couple of lawyers writing about it:
http://adage.com/article/guest-columnists/online-sweepstakes-legal/149206/

Here's a Harvard Law graduate, practicing internet law since 1998 talking about it:

http://www.quora.com/What-legal-issues-come-up-when-running-a-contest-or-giveaway

Yep, like I said - this is likely to be considered a lottery because the only way to enter is with a purchase. The fine print on the GW website seems to indicate that they sent it past their crack [pot] legal team - likely the disqualifier for Australia and New Zealand. Out of curiosity, I took a look at other countries (most familiar with the US - years ago, one of my businesses did semi-regular give aways too). Almost all of them...this is illegal, even in the UK:

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/19/contents

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/prize%20competitions%20and%20free%20draws%20-%20the%20requirements%20of%20the%20gambling%20act%202005%20-%20december%202009.pdf

Based off from what I have deciphered, they need to have an opt out in order to qualify for the "free draw" purchase to enter clause... The rules seem to indicate that all you have to do is purchase the qualifying amount, with no mention of opting out and no mention of a free to enter...which moves them back into the illegal lottery category over there too.

GW...you should really take the time to find a sober, competent and useful legal team. Seems they must be drunk, incompetent and just plain useless more often than not.

I think there was an opt-out as the "golden ticket" was seemingly a nonexistent item added to your order--which you can remove.

It's not that big of deal, it's just a potentially illegal competition that is about buying overpriced plastic men from them as they try to drum up sales on their ailing products.

Or, you know, you could fix the ailing products, stop suing everything that looks like a duck, and start engaging with us (because that's the reason 40k forums are always so dour!).

But nah, we're all just cranky pants. I just got back from picking up my $120 worth of addition to my Legion and Cryx armies, did I miss anything else?

 TheKbob wrote:
... stop suing everything that looks like a duck...

Why? GW invented the duck. It's part of their IP, along with skulls, arrows, Roman numerals and grenade launchers.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 Alpharius wrote:
I'm insisting on an Armored Space Marine Height's worth - ADB Night Lords version too, so 3 meters my friend, 3 meters!!!

You can insist until you're (Alpha Legion) blue in the face. They're (on average) 7 feet tall. The guy who designed them said so, he photographed himself in front of a picture of one that was 7 feet tall, and has stated that "true scale Marines" already exist - the standard GW kits - and that it's the regular humans that are too big.

So 7 feet it is. This competition only strengthens that claim.

Aw, the thread got Goodwin'd.

Jes Goodwin missed the whole memo 'Marines are superhumanly large'.

<Insert Lynata quote about no 40k canon here> (:

I've always thought something like 7'-8'. Otherwise they would be so big as to not be useful.

 TheAuldGrump wrote:
I wonder whether it is at all likely that somebody will report the whole 'must pay to win' competition to whatever the appropriate authorities are?

But then again, what can you expect from a legal code intended to keep folks from stealing pigs? (That preamble is one of the trippiest financial documents that I have ever seen... financial reporting as narrated by Hunter Thompson....)

The Auld Grump

I did. I reported it to the FTC and the Louisiana State Attorney General this morning. It takes about 5 min.

 Ashiraya wrote:
<Insert Lynata quote about no 40k canon here> (:

*instantly dismisses anything Lynata has to say about canon*

When you're going against the guy who designed them, odds are you're on the wrong side.

 H.B.M.C. wrote:

 Ashiraya wrote:
<Insert Lynata quote about no 40k canon here> (:

*instantly dismisses anything Lynata has to say about canon*

When you're going against the guy who designed them, odds are you're on the wrong side.

I haven't seen Bob Naismith comment on their height...

Jes Goodwin is not exactly the sole authority.

While this funny no-canon status exists, Goodwin's Marine poster is as canon as the Mach 180 Marines.

 Azreal13 wrote:
They're giving 210cm worth away.

I'm 197cm, so I'm now fairly certain I could have been an impressive Space Marine!

Finally something official to put a nail in the coffin of the 8'+ giant marine fallacy that's been going around all these years!

Sheesh!

5 pages on a prize give away that encompasses legal technicalities and the true height of a Space Marine......and allot of comments from the usual people that will "OMG haven't bought GW for XX years before it was cool".

You fellers make my head hurt.

Shouldn't this whole thread be transplanted to the First World Problems thread in OTT?

 notprop wrote:
Sheesh!

5 pages on a prize give away that encompasses legal technicalities and the true height of a Space Marine......and allot of comments from the usual people that will "OMG haven't bought GW for XX years before it was cool".

You fellers make my head hurt.

Shouldn't this whole thread be transplanted to the First World Problems thread in OTT?

Exalted for hitting the nail...