So I work Sundays, and while working I get an email from the Playstation blog site talking about a Taco Bell contest where you can win a 3G/Wi-Fi Vita with a 4 gig memory card, Little Deviants, and a choice between LittleBigPlanet™, ModNation™ Racers: Roadtrip, or MLB 12 The Show™. So on my lunch break I go to the near by Taco Bell and pick up a box, pop in the code on the box and... lost. I shrug, I already had a wi-fi version reseved and payed off so really didn't care too much.

So today (Monday for those playing at home or reading this eight years from now) I go out to lunch and decide "fuck it, I'm going to taco bell again." So I go in and tried to make up my mind between another "game" box or something else, I shrug and get the other game box. I head back to the office and eat my meal, I then decide "what the hell, plug in the code!" So I plug it in and his submit...

And this comes up...

I sit there stunned! It ask me for some info (address, email). I sit at my desk waiting for an email saying confirmed or something but after some time nothing shows up. I click on the rules link and see that to confirm me as a winner, they will be sending me a first class letter within a day or so with more instructions!

So when I get that, I shall update this blog and see what happens!

[UPDATE]

Since it has been about 10 days since I won the contest and still haven't gotten any email or real letter from taco bell or the people who are running the thing; Ventura Associates. Looking around on google showed several post on different game sites of others who won and haven't gotten any word. A person on one site produced an email address to contact the company. He got an email back from them saying they are running behind on the letters and to give it couple more days. I figure since I won my 11 days ago I think I should send them an email. So I just sent one out now and am waiting for a response. Hopefully I get some kind of answer soon!

[UPDATE 2]

After thinking about it, I decided to go onto Taco Bell's twitter page. Taking a page out of Ryan's twitter NARC story (also Jeff's cd story) I thought about maybe just posting something on Taco Bell's twitter...

And when I got there I was beaten to the punch by many people. Taco Bell's answer to the people who twited about no letter or email was "Call out 800 number" So I did, after chatting with a support person for 10 min (who i surprised by not only keeping the reciept but also the winning box and telling her I printed out the winning screen any everything) she said a manager will be calling me in 2 to 3 days and she was really sorry about me not getting a letter because it looked like I had all the proof I needed. I guess there were people calling in trying to scam their way to a prize or something!

[UPDATE 3]

So yesterday (Sunday) at work I called the number that was on the kotaku story and left my info, also sent the email again with more info, thinking hey, might as well try. Today (Monday) at work I get a call on my cell phone from a private number. When I answer it, it was a person working on the contest. She asked for my name, email, and code on the box. I had to run outside to get the number since the box was in the truck. After she read the number back to me she said someone will call back within 24 hours. So fingers crossed!

[UPDATE 4]

Got an email from Taco Bell... saddly I didn't win. I guess I will still hold out, maybe they were answering the email I sent out Friday where I didn't have any info on it and maybe they will call with a different answer. But I know one thing, after reading all the different sites where people are pissed that whoever runs this contest system fucked up and gave out a shit load of winning prizes, I would not be surprised that some kind of class action lawsuit comes from this!

[UPDATE 5]

On Friday (Feb 17 for those playing at home) I got another email from Taco Bell asking me to email them my name, email, method of entry, and box code. At first I was going to just ingnore the email, I mean they said I didn't win so why brother but my girlfriend told me I should at least try, maybe there was a mistake or something might happen. I said fine and emailed the info. Today (Feb 22) I get an email from Taco Bell saying the following:

Thank you again for contacting Taco Bell regarding your entry in the Unlock the Box Promotion and voicing your concern. A thorough investigation was initiated since our last contact with you.

We learned that during a period of time on January 30, 2012 some people entering the promotion erroneously viewed a message suggesting they had won a PlayStation Vita, pending verification.

After a thorough investigation, and an additional review by the independent company administering the promotion, it was confirmed that these entrants viewed these messages or accessed them directly as a result of technical issues created by outside attempts by others to gain illegal entry and defraud the system. Unfortunately, these entrants were not valid winners.

Taco Bell designed this sweepstakes to be fun for consumers and knows you are a disappointed fan. We are therefore giving you and other consumers who may have viewed these erroneous messages on January 30 an additional chance to win. You will be automatically entered into a separate drawing to win a PlayStation Vita. The drawing will take place on March 21, 2012. All winners will be notified directly by the week of March 27, 2012

Thank you for your understanding and participation. The issue that occurred on January 30 has been resolved and the Unlock the Box promotion will continue to run through March 11, 2012.

Sincerely,

Ventura Associates

So it looks like there was some kind of glitch (either their system or some asshat who was trying to cheat) and a good number of people who "won" in fact didn't and we will be entered into a different drawing on March 21st. I guess it's nice that something might come from this... then again I'm picking up the Vita from gamestop I already had paid off after work today so if I do win... maybe I'll give the extra one to my girlfriend or something!

*Touch*

Mission accomplished.

I didn't think people ever won these contests!

I stand unconvinced, you're a reptilian.

that's pretty awesome

Whats Taco Bell?

Congratulations, I've always wanted to win one of those kind of things.

I won a contest a few years ago when the game "Sniper Elite" was coming out. They had a email sent out with a question "What was the name of the group that was the forerunner of the CIA?" Well since I was a huge Medal of Honor fan from the PS1 days I answered OSS. The next day I get the email saying I won, and asked me what system I wanted it for and I got a t-shirt.

So yeah, Sometimes these things can be won!

I said WHO WANTS TO TOUCH ME!?

oOoooh... *touch*

Congrats! I never knew people actually won these things. You'll have to be a good 'Murcan and pay your taxes on it. So, don't forget to do that and post pics of your Vita when it arrives!

That's... Pretty friggin' sweet! *high-five*

*touches inappropriately*

Congrats! :P

Lucckky....Lukcy!

I got one of those today after work. I did not win however. Congrats dude. That's pretty cool. This won't get me like those fucking Star Wars cups did though.

*touch*

*squeeze squeeze*

*wink*

I don't know what all this Taco Bell Vita nonsense is about, I was promised I'd be able to touch somebody.

That's sweet, man. A friend of mine recently won an Xbox 360 + Kinect from a Pepsi code.

GIVE MEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Thats pretty damn awesome.

Nice one, duder. Winners pay and players win. Did they say when it'll ship?

My one friend once won an Xbox from a Mountain Dew contest, he wouldn't let me touch him though...

Touching is Good...wait, wrong handheld...

Anyway, that is pretty cool; well done :D

As someone who just preordered a First Edition bundle (the one you won), 2 games, and a 32gb memory card for 530 bucks, I am fucking jealous.

Seriously though, congrats.. CONGRATS

Dude congrats.

@BooDoug187: Btw don't get Modnation if you care about online multiplayer because it doesn't have it. LittleBigPlanet and MLB look sick though.

@TheHBK said:

You didn't bust out your cock while posting this did you?

Maybe I did, maybe I didn't, touch me and find out :-D

@AutomaticOwl said:

Nice one, duder. Winners pay and players win. Did they say when it'll ship?

Not yet, the playstaion blog says it is the package that Gamestops are giving out a week before the official release date, and like I said in the blog post, I'm waiting for them to send me a letter to verify my address and what not.

Grats!

I wish they had Taco Bell in the UK :P

Right on- I'm still going to hold off buying one (at least until Persona 4 comes out), but I'd love to have one put in my hand for (mostly) free.

dude, awesome luck. Gratz!

Congrats man!! This is the stuff of legends :D

Congrats. I bought a taco bell box last night, but it had no code on it. I was kinda bummed until I realized I probably wouldn't have won anyway. Besides, none of the games look all that great to me.

Grrrr lucky bastard

WHAT! I was just at the Bell, bought a box meal, and tossed it thinking it was impossible. I'm going to go dig through my garbage.

...That shit is legit? Holy SHIT! All of these banner ad; I could have 50 ipods by now? AdBlock's coming off!

I would play, but that would require me to go to a Taco Bell. And I just couldn't live with that on my conscience.

Looks like there are 5,000 of these available through the Taco Bell contest. Those are pretty decent odds for a prize of this value.

In the future all restaurants are Taco Bell. Now we know why. Sweet give-aways. Congratulations, so what happens to the Vita you had reserved and paid off?

@PrivateIronTFU said:

I would play, but that would require me to go to a Taco Bell. And I just couldn't live with that on my conscience.

You could always try a free entry, most times though you have to mail in some letter before a cut off date.

@PenguinDust said:

In the future all restaurants are Taco Bell. Now we know why. Sweet give-aways. Congratulations, so what happens to the Vita you had reserved and paid off?

Well, the one I have paid off is at gamestop. Im not going to get rid of it until I know for sure (just in case some bullshit pops up where they say "Oh, you didn't win even though we said you did" happens) But when I get the confirm letter I will just cancel my preorder and use the money to buy the 32 gig memory card and get Uncharted: Golden Abyss and maybe something else, like preordering Yakuza of the End!

Do you prefer front touch or rear touch?

Nice, the least they could do for what damage is being done to your lower intestine.

Dang ! ME WANT !

I HATE YOU

@gueeds said:

Do you prefer front touch or rear touch?

Hehe. This one is a winner.

Congrats duder! I once won a Wii from a contest and sold it off to my local GameStop the same day.

Wow, congrats. It's good to know these things aren't total BS. Though, you may just be a Taco Bell PR rep.

I said WHO WANTS TO TOUCH ME!?

oOoooh... *touch*

Awesome! Grats! I've always wondered if anyone ever actually wins these contests. I guess so...

Damn, that sounds pretty amazing, congrats!

Oh man, you actually had to eat at Taco Bell? I feel sorry for you...

Hope it was worth the poop!

@BooDoug187: Grats, man. That's pretty awesome!