WE WON THE CYBIKO!!!

[MaggieOK]

DealHunting was in the top two referrers. We only had to be in the top 51. According to their rules, everyone who signed up under the dealhunting referrer id will get a free Cybiko handheld computer worth $99!

"For April 12th thru April 30th 2001, all valid Registrants of the grand (2) and first place (50) Cybiko Rep winners will win Cybiko handheld computers."

[Justin42]

Thanks again, Maggie!!!

[rev_buddy_love]

any word about if they are planning to honor all of the
registrants, regardless of age or school? I got an email
from Cybiko saying that only kids would get the prize and
they had to be from your school.
-Rev
:umm:

[pd123]

Thanks Maggie!
Has anyone got any confirmations?

[MaggieOK]

Originally posted by rev_buddy_love
any word about if they are planning to honor all of the
registrants, regardless of age or school? I got an email
from Cybiko saying that only kids would get the prize and
they had to be from your school.
-Rev
:umm:

Rev,

Are you referring to the email that was sent last week or is this a new one? They had tried to change the rules midcontest and then changed their mind and wen't back to the original rules and said they'd honor all previous registrants.

I think that email you're referring to was the one we got that afternoon when they were trying to change the rules. The fact that you got it implies that you were registered prior to their change attempt.

Maggie
http://www.dealhunting.com

[Jenny]

I don't know if I ever actually got any email from them. I signed up under you, but...

[TheLoneGunman]

Funtasia was the other big winner and a bunch of freebie sites were also in the top 51.

You can see them all at:

http://www.cybiko.com/repcontest/index.asp

[ski]

I'm getting a bad vibe.

I've been mostly optimistic about CYBIKO pulling through, but after reading that Results page, it sounds like we're not going to all get them free. Drat :o\

[gear02]

what kind of bad vibe? they didn't rescind their offer and stuff. I just hope they don't start considering everyone's entry to be invalid because of a minor detail. That's what's worrying me considering I did submit a vaild entry.

[xDFuNK]

i didnt get in on this, but i was reading thru the posts about it and i believe someone said that u had to be under the age of 18 or somethin to tht effect when u registered....

if this is true then they can hold that against you guys and not honor the prize....

if that wasnt part of the rules then i just didnt pay attention and u can disregard this, just post a reply to lemme kno

[K2]

...doh!! i think i missed something...

[cruelpupet]

ok to clear a few things up....


The only email I recieved about age said that....

for the last few days of the contest, that anyone who registered had to be 14-18 to be valid...

This did not affect people who had registered before that date.

And I think they will honor it, its a publicity scam.

figure that all the above 500 winners have about 3000 people, thats 12,000 and the rest of the signups couldnt be more than 2000. So 14,000 cybikos to send out, even at MSRp (which is only $100) would cost them only 140k. Thats not that expensive for marketing, especially since every kid that has one is a free advertisement to their friends. Figure in that it does not cost $100 to make and ship a cybiko, and you can cut 25-50% off that price.


So if its 25% off thats only 105k, thats starting to look like a good deal for Cybiko

[Edited by cruelpupet on 05-03-2001 at 11:23 PM]

[TheLoneGunman]

Another thing to consider is add-ons.

Since stuff like the MP3 player is no longer free, I would probably be willing to fork over like $20-25 for it since I am getting the main unit free. Also, just like Dreamcast or Nintendo, they can probably get me to spend for other stuff (although their big draw is free software -- new titles everyday)

[WhiskeyPapa]

Originally posted by cruelpupet
So if its 25% off thats only 105k, thats starting to look like a good deal for Cybiko

Sounds like they'll only have to fire one upper-management or two mid-level employees over this fiasco to cut their losses... :)

[welfareloser]

Originally posted by cruelpupet
ok to clear a few things up....


So 14,000 cybikos to send out, even at MSRp (which is only $100) would cost them only 140k.



hmmm.... hmmmmm.... :umm:

hmmmm!

move that decimal place one more time, math-whiz...

just kidding. i agree with you. after they give you the barebones unit, they'll try to sell you memory upgrades and subscriptions and stuff. and they'll sell your email address and phone number (since they shamed you into giving them a real one...)
so it's an expensive marketing push, but not impossibly expensive... we'll see.

[ski]

That bad vibe is gone now :D (Read above about 7-8 posts)
Thanks, cruelpupet, for reasoning about how much it would cost CYBIKO to pass out free units, that helps

[MaggieOK]

Well, I just got email confirmation of grand prize winner. AND, they tried to sell me more cybikos and memory and cases, etc. I can tell you that they have an incredible markup on these puppies because they're offering them at half price to winners.

<b>UPDATE:</b> I just spoke with someone at Cybiko, Inc. and they verified that all of my registrants would be getting a free Cybiko. Everyone should be receiving and email today with their status that they have to print, sign, and return to get the unit. He said that they'll start fulfillment as soon as they get the affidavits back and that with so many entries, it could take up to 3-4 weeks from receipt of the affidavit. That was his guestimation when put on the spot, he actually indicated as soon as possible.

Good news everyone!

Maggie
http://www.dealhunting.com

[M_A_C]

Cool. I wonder if thing thing is worth keeping or if I should just E-bay it.

[any1care]

just got an email, but what's this buisness about having to give my social security number? Do you guys think it's safe to send it?

[BruinChiq]

I got my e-mail...yay! Guess I get to have a free random handheld computer now :) Maybe my Handspring will become a coaster

:) Kim

[^Ces]

I saw the little "order extra parts" sort of thing and was just wondering if the shipping & handling is only if you order more stuff? If I'm not getting anything extra I should just write zeroes in there? Thanks.

=^Ces

[Y2J]

These things are so stupid though. I remember seeing one at E3 last year, and wondering how these could be successful selling for $100. I guess if you target young teens, anything will be purchased. Ha, and now I have one myself.

[DoPeY5007]

I just got the e-mail as well...

Congratulations! You are a Cybiko Rep contest winner. You will receive a Cybiko computer.



hehehehe


cool they came through.....



I think they ask for you social because you have to pay incom tax's on winnings......

[WhiskeyPapa]

Originally posted by dopey5007
I think they ask for you social because you have to pay incom tax's on winnings......

The IRS requires the SSN for that reason (they consider a prize to be "income".) However, there is a threshold amount that a prize has to be above before you have to pay tax on it (like $400 or something.)

[J-Dogg]

I got the e-mail too, but I'm not so happy about sending out my social security # to Cybiko, of all people. Is anyone else hesitant about this? Would they accept the form without it?

[JIWC]

i'm a bit hesitant about sending my SSn also....do we have to? other contests I've been in never required me to give it away.

[J-Dogg]

Their e-mail says that if ANY information is not provided, your form will be rejected and you will not receive your prize. I still don't know if it's worth it, though.

Cybiko, Sponsors or any entity connected with the Contest shall have, without further obligation to me, the right to use my name, voice, email address, likeness, and/or photograph, biographical and prize registration information for advertising, promotional and marketing purposes in conjunction with this and similar promotions without notice to me and without further compensation.



[Edited by J-Dogg on 05-04-2001 at 12:14 PM]

[FFTF153]

What's the deal with it saying that we get $500 + a cybiko thingie. http://www.cybiko.com/repcontest/index.asp


Thanks Maggie. Cool freebie.

[DoPeY5007]

Originally posted by FFTF153
What's the deal with it saying that we get $500 + a cybiko thingie. http://www.cybiko.com/repcontest/index.asp


Thanks Maggie. Cool freebie.



the $500 is only for the person who refered every one, not every1 that signed up...


$500 wouls be really cool....

but it was a good promo...

[Mike7]

^Ces asked:

<begin quote>

I saw the little "order extra parts" sort of thing and was just wondering if the shipping & handling is only if you order more stuff? If I'm not getting anything extra I should just write zeroes in there? Thanks.

<end quote>

It clearly stated, "Shipping and Handling for additional items ordered: $7.95"

So, if you're not ordering additional items, you needn't pay the $7.95. Feel free to put an X through that part of the form, and a $0 for the total.

As for the Social Security number thing, I'd suggest two possible reasons:

First, in theory prizes are taxable income, although on something as inexpensive as a Cybiko you needn't lose any sleep worrying over this point. (If you win a pair of $20,000 cars on "The Price is Right," then you should worry about the tax hit.)

Second, the request for Social Security number will probably rub some people the wrong way, to the extent that they will either refuse to provide this information, or will simply refuse to return the form at all. In either case, Cibiko need no longer send out a prize to such a person, thus saving Cibiko some money (in a contest that may have cost it a little more than was originally budgeted).

Frankly, this is likely part of the reason why there's all that legal boilerplate in the email. An attempt to intimidate some people into saying, "This sounds more involved than I like. I think I'll just forget about the whole thing." This is especially true in the case of, say, some 12 year old, who runs over to mom or dad to get a signature, and mom or dad sees a page or two of legal stuff, and tells Junior not to expect a signature and it's probably a scam anyway and proceeds to throw away the form.

Really, many contests have pretty much these same provisions. You won't sue Cibiko if the thing blows up and kills you and all your children. Cibiko can plaster your name on a billboard and advertise that you were a winner. Etc. It's just that all this stuff is typically in tiny print on some "Rules and Limitations" page. Seeing it in normal size print, on a form you have to sign and return, just seems a little more serious. More intimidating. But don't sweat it -- it's just the standard stuff.

[markf57]

I don't remember seeing anything in the rules of the contest that stated that a release would be required to claim the prize. I do remember the rules stating that the prizes would start to be mailed out the Week of May 7. How is it possible for the return of the release to be so fast that the prizes would start to be mailed out next week. I firmly believe that this release was added as an obsticle to getting the prize.

I also beleive that the Cybiko people intentionally made the form so that you address did not save. That way if you won, they could state that they wanted to mail you the prize, but there is no address in your profile. I hope everyone checked their profile and resaved their address.

[twiggyop]

What is this stuff about the address not saving. You lost me.

[DoPeY5007]

Originally posted by twiggyop
What is this stuff about the address not saving. You lost me.

when you first registered, if you went and edited your profile you would have noticed that the address didn't keep untill you edited it...


Just log in and check your address in your profile....

[markf57]

When you register, the form asks for your address. But when you save the form, you address is not saved in your profile. You need to log back on to the Cybiko web site, then select change your personal information. Add your address and save the form.

Notice in the release it states that they will send the prize to the address in your profile. No address=no prize!

[twiggyop]

That makes sense. I don't see where it says it will use your profile address though. There is a blank on the paper form for putting down your residence(I assume address). Also, I logged into my account, and the address info is still there, I've never edited it. I dont know.

[roboo7]

hummm...ok i have a question. im thinkin of getting a memery card along w/ the cybiko. if they reject my application for the cybiko...will they still take my money for the memery card and send the memery to me?...cause it'd suck if i pay for a mem card w/o being able to use it.

[Jeffbx]

I assume they're asking for the SSN to validate the entries - not that they can match a person up to their SSN, but that will eliminate the idiots who signed up 12 times who can't come up with 12 valid SSNs.

[thienn]

I was told that all prizes that someone wins gets taxed. Like when you win the Lotto or a new car, there is a tax that you have to pay. I'm wondering if we have to pay tax on the Cybiko since it is a prize. Does anybody know?

[cruelpupet]

only prizes of over 500 have to be claimed

[twiggyop]

I thought the number was $600, but yeah - it still excludes you from worrying about paying taxes. They can probably claim it as a business deduction however.

[cruelpupet]

yeah i wasnt sure if it was 500 or 600... so i went for the 50/50 chance

[Captain Clueless]

Actually, according to the IRS, almost _all_ income is taxable. (Let's not get into municipal bond interest, okay?)

That means that when you sell something on eBay, you have to report the proceeds as income, although you can deduct whatever you paid for it.

That means that when you win $2 on a state lottery scratch ticket, you have to report that as income, although you can deduct gambling losses up to the amount of your winnings.

That means that when you win any amount in any contest, you have to report that as income.

The dollar thresholds relate to whether the entity awarding the prize _has_ to report your winnings, with SSN, to the IRS. If an entity doesn't have to, it probably won't; why would it do paperwork that isn't necessary?

In practice, most folks don't bother to report small amounts. But if you somehow arouse the interest of the IRS, and if they can find evidence of unreported income (odd bank deposits, eBay history), then you might be looking at paying taxes + penalty on your winnings.

Cybiko might just be collecting SSNs to verify one computer per human. Or they might plan to report it to the IRS. Maybe someone could ask'em? :)

[mvh]

I asked about the SS# by email. Waiting for a response from them. I was concerned about giving them the combination of SS and the broad release to do whatever they wanted with information in the profile and on the award certificate. Just think of what you can do with an address, phone number, SS#. IF they are not ethical, we could all be collecting (Virtual) Unemployment in California in two weeks.

I will let you know what they respond.

[twiggyop]

I asked them roughly the same thing a few days ago. Still no response.

[TheLoneGunman]

Originally posted by mvh
IF they are not ethical, we could all be collecting (Virtual) Unemployment in California in two weeks.


As a present collector of California Unemployment, I can assure you this is impossible. Before they issue the first check, they will verify your status with you last (current) employer. Also, they store your address.

This company (Cybiko) was more honest than almost ANY vendor on the net and is GIVING you a FREE $100 computer for which they are essentially getting NOTHING in return (you likely won't be a repeat customer, promote them to others [in fact you are potentially giving them a bad name], and use of your name won't do anything for them).

They need your SS# to be able to specifically identify you as a unique, human, receipient. The IRS would not believe them if they just said they sent out 50,000 $100 units to a bunch of random addresses. It also helps them if you enter another contest with them in the future (because then the combined total will be over $600). If they don't collect it now, they will never be able to in the future.

As far as the release, it is so they can prove to other people (like you and some of the others in the thread) that indeed there were 50,000 unique winners. It is also to cover the rare situation that perhaps a local reporter will want to talk to some local winners and most people would agree that you shouldn't have to be paid for the interview since they are already giving you the unit for free.

This is one of the most straight-up companies I have dealt with. Please don't defame them.

[daye]

1) They do not need an SSN# and a birthday accurate to Month and the day to uniquely identify a person. Although they could not do much with your SSN#, they could with your SSN# and your birthdate and your home address and your telephone number. That's all that documented by credit agency. In other words, the credit agent won't be able to tell it's not YOU even something goes wrong. Credit agency doesn't have your monther's maiden name, therefore, anyone with information collected can claim to be you and do funny things under your name.

2) According to federal law, Cybico doesn't have the authority to check your credit report, only your employer and financial institution have. So there is no way they can match your name with your address/birth date/telephone, etc. Certainly IRS won't do that for them too.

3) Off track, but only for the sake of argument since some guy mentioned everything 'income' is taxable. I listened to a radio show right before the April 15th. Two guys talked about refusing to pay income tax because that's 'income' the word is not in IRS's taxable list. I didn't remember the detail but they claimed they had two federal cases back their idea. One guy stopped paying income tax since '95 and the other '96. They said they had been in trouble with IRS, however, IRS has yet find enough strengh to bother them in any way. I won't suggest anyone to try but found it an intersting point.

[TheLoneGunman]

Now that this topic has gone down a rat hole...

The IRS says taxes are the law:

http://www.treas.gov/irs/ci/factsheets/pub2105.pdf

They have a CONVICTION rate of over 80% when they catch you:

http://www.treas.gov/irs/ci/tax_fraud/docnonfilers.htm

The IRS just arrested the guy who hasn't filed since '94:

http://www.latimes.com/business/20010504/t000037548.html

If you don't want to give them your SS#, you get no Cybiko.
It is the same deal in Vegas. I can just see you winning a big jackpot and then when they ask for your specifics you start raising a ruckus. Before you can turn around they will just take your winnings back and walk away (It has happened before).

[daye]

So here is the deal: what if we mis-typed the birthday. Just wonder giving out the full set of correct information is scary. Or rephrase the problem: between SSN, birthday, technically which one is to be mis-typed? In other words, what kind of legal consequence we are facing for mis-typing SSN or for mis-typing the birthday?

[KikiRio]

my e-mail told me my Cybiko was not free. RATHER, i was sent a cetififcate allowing to BUY the Cybiko for $49.95. what is the deal with this???

[J-Dogg]

Come on people, read the e-mail. It says "As a Cybiko Rep contest winner you have a limited opportunity to obtain additional products from Cybiko at a SPECIAL price. This is only if you want more than one.

[KikiRio]

YEAH, come on people. Anyway, does anyone have their e-mail still, mine was erased and i still need to print one out and mail it in.

thanks

[WhiskeyPapa]

Mine says that if I forward my email to 10 people, Ronald McDonald will run across my screen.

[Burzhui]

Well i sent mine out today, we'll see what happens, what can you actually do with one of these suckers, i wonder how usefull they are, but then again, you can't go wrong with free

[twiggyop]

You can send and recieve email wirelessly. That is, if you have your computer in the next room or closer running some software that lets it communicate with the cybiko at a slow clip which takes longer than walking into the other room and checking your email regularly, but still - its free, right?

[TheLoneGunman]

The wireless is also unit-to-unit in a mesh.
So, if you are in Geek High or shop at the Geek Mall, you can zap each other messages as you pass each other on the stairs.

Of course, if you soup up the transmitter (in violation of FCC regulations) you can get a lot more mileage

[mvh]

The request for the social security number on the winner's form may be used
to determine the real identity of the winner if there is a dispute. The
information is not used for any other purpose. You may decline to fill in
that part of the form and you will not be denied your award.

Thanks for contacting Cybiko. If you have further questions, please contact
me at the above email address.

Marian McGuin
Legal & Human Resources Administrator
CYBIKO, INC

[phredd]

Darn! I just mailed mine in this morning w/ a SSN. :(


Originally posted by mvh
The request for the social security number on the winner's form may be used
to determine the real identity of the winner if there is a dispute. The
information is not used for any other purpose. You may decline to fill in
that part of the form and you will not be denied your award.

Thanks for contacting Cybiko. If you have further questions, please contact
me at the above email address.

Marian McGuin
Legal & Human Resources Administrator
CYBIKO, INC

[J-Dogg]

Ahhh Yeah!!! Great work mvh! You saved us a lot of speculation over this problem. I'm glad I waited.

[MaggieOK]

For the official word, I have spoken with Cybiko, Inc., and they will not require a SSN for the winners who just get a Cybiko.

Fear not!

Maggie
http://www.dealhunting.com

[rum]

Damn I already mailed mine in, and included the SSN. I gotta wake up earlier to check these posts. Oh well, free Cybiko at least. :)

[wga22]

Has anyone gotten theirs yet? I assume not yet, but please post IMMEDIATLY when you do.

[pd123]

I got the emai from Cybiko..."we had to wait for checks to clear prior to shipping. You should receive it this week."
I should see it any minute now. I checked my bank and my check did clear about two days ago. I purchased the extra unit for $49 and memory for $14, I figured since are in the family, we can sher the memory. One for my daughter and one for me. Looking forward to it. My daughter who is 8 can't wait for the fun readers.

[AmRivlin]

I knew I should have signed up... :(

[the_dude8]

maggie, what about mis-type birthdate??what if the birthdate i register with them is differ from the one i write on their application?thanks

[MaggieOK]

Originally posted by the_dude8
maggie, what about mis-type birthdate??what if the birthdate i register with them is differ from the one i write on their application?thanks

I have no idea. Someone has reported on my forums that they got their Cybiko today so I'm anticipating a flood of them into the homes of my registrants over the next week or so.

Maggie
http://www.dealhunting.com

[Burzhui]

I want my cybiko :)
Can't waitt o get that sucker... i wonder if you can make your own chat rooms on there, it would be cool to sick in class and chat with some gotapexers

[twiggyop]

Except, of course, those gotapexers woudl have to also be in your class.

[ChrisMG187]

i just got the email today, hopefully the mail in will be processed quickly.

[Burzhui]

GOT MY CYBIKO
GOd i love the ups man

[WhiskeyPapa]

After 5 minutes of playing with it, all I can say is:

This thing is awesome!

I'm glad I ordered a second one, because everyone in my house is going to want to play with this! It'll be great for long trips - just download a few new games before you leave and you're set.

[Burzhui]

i don't get this thing yet, i have no one to chat with on it :(

[Sandman]

Originally posted by the_dude8
maggie, what about mis-type birthdate??what if the birthdate i register with them is differ from the one i write on their application?thanks

You can edit your profile to correct your information.
So both will be the same...

[brettman]

Had I not just received my Cybiko yesterday I never would have believed this was actually going to be sent. I even used a fake name and no SS# on the form I sent in.

[NullUnit2000]

I GOT MINE! NO SSN GIVEN!

HOORAY FOR ILL CONCIEVED CONTESTS! :thumbup: