@9999dmg said:

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

Nope not a PR rep, just a dude who works IT.

Still waiting for the letter for the whole verifying address thing, hope it comes this week because I think they are suppose to ship out the "early edition" Vitas next week!

That's awesome. I always love hearing about people that win cool shit in these kind of things. Mostly so I know that people really do win them, and were not all a bunch of suckers.

I think the last time I won something was a Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone DVD like 11 years ago. I feel like I'm due to win something cooler.

Oh no, I'm not falling for this again. Last time a stranger came in and showed me a toy and asked me to touch him it didn't go to well.

@sopranosfan said:

Oh no, I'm not falling for this again. Last time a stranger came in and showed me a toy and asked me to touch him it didn't go to well.

Come on, just get in the van... I got puppies and candy for you!

People actually win these things... huh

So, a bit of an 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!

This is so going to get you laid.

@BooDoug187: Yeah, I think this happened to you. Link

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!

Just read a Kotaku article about this. It doesn't sound good. Shenanigans are afoot.

Fuck the man, fight the good fight, get your free shit!

Touch yourself

@Shermanatorek said:

@BooDoug187: Yeah, I think this happened to you. Link

@yakov456 said:

Just read a Kotaku article about this. It doesn't sound good. Shenanigans are afoot.

Just read the article myself. It is kinda shitty that the company is saying "oh these people must have gamed the system!" yet there is no proof. Either their system fucked up and just let everyone win (I hope this isn't the case) or instead of just saying that they were lagging behind they are just fucking people over (again hope that isn't the case).

If I have to, I will give them copies of my recept, the cover of the box and anything else needed!

You had to eat Taco Bell, dude. You won nothing.

@Sayishere said:

Grats!

I wish they had Taco Bell in the UK :P

Trust me duder, you really don't.

So a update (also on my blog)

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!

Another update...

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!

That sucks. But if hey said you had won then should win it regardless of their system malfunction. Demand your prize!!

brb going to taco bell

*touch*

I saw the story on Kotaku a few ago and remembered your post. I was thinking, "Man, I hope the duder wins."

That sucks. Sorry to hear they're screwin' you. The thing that sucks is the prize isn't really worth any money at all. A lawyer is going to cost you way more than a Vita will and that's what TB is counting on.

@Zelyre said:

I saw the story on Kotaku a few ago and remembered your post. I was thinking, "Man, I hope the duder wins."

That sucks. Sorry to hear they're screwin' you. The thing that sucks is the prize isn't really worth any money at all. A lawyer is going to cost you way more than a Vita will and that's what TB is counting on.

Yeah I'm not sueing, but if this story got out more and seeing that this is hundreds of people, not just like 3 or 4 questionable people, then something should come out of this.

@Zero_ said:

People actually win these things... huh

Apparently not.

UPDATED BLOG BUT FIGURE I WILL COMMENT:

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!

@Double0hFor said:

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

I won that,too.

You can touch me if you want, but wait til everybody leaves.

Lame duder, this is kind of like the time I won a Giantbomb shirt from the site, but since I am Canadian, they were all like nope.

@Trav said:

I didn't think people ever won these contests!

I stand unconvinced, you're a reptilian.

So does not winning mean he's a human or what?

Hello anyone who wants to read this. I entered this contest on March 1st, 2012 and had entered my code online. FUnny thing is dont ever remember getting a "you won " screen. What happened with me was I got an email later in the day( I entered at 12:45am) around 7pm. It said I had an urgent message from TB. Well, I live in the Tampa Bay area so my first thought was it had something to do with some area bussiness or [pssibly the Tampa Rays. Boy was I suprised and glad I opened it. It was a messge from VVentura Associates on behalf of Taco Bell telling me that I had won. I was asked for my full name, mailing address where I wanted my prize shipped to, and to pick one game from a list of three to add to the copy of Little Deviants I would get with the system. I send the email and waited, and waited, and waited. Well today is the 28th of March, and Im happy to report I got my Vita tonight at around 7pm. It came UPS and I had no idea it was coming. After the dy I had today it was quite a nice supprise. I cant even tell you how happy I am. So, this was not a scam at all, if you played the game right and didnt try to get something for nothing (like alot of people tried to do) then I am proof that. In fact, I gotta go right now, Ive got a Vita to play with. Later ya'll