Vodacom ShakeOff isn't a competition

[Foxhound5366]

What is it called when you ask customers to exchange points (which they've earned through spending money) in return for a draw that generates puzzle pieces for puzzles with prizes attached to completion ... and then you you rig it so that only the limited people you select can win?

Vodacom ShakeOff

Like most people I ignore this, but seeing the "shake for puzzle pieces" competition I was intrigued and blew 280 points (56 shakes). For my rewards, I ended with this:


Tantalizingly close, right? Unfortunately once I got close enough that I had more shakes left than pieces remaining, the system just handed me puzzle pieces which it claimed were all duplicates (funny that didn't happen once for the first 35 or so shakes):


Big deal, right? Companies rigging competitions is nothing new.

The unique aspect here is that this isn't just pitched as a regular "lucky draw". It's about handing out puzzle pieces in return for points (which actually have some limited value to the clients because they can buy things in the store), and then just giving them only those puzzle pieces that encourage them to keep going ... until everything gets maxed out and you just say "whoops - you already have that piece".

For shame, Vodacom. That isn't a competition. There is no "luck" if your software is rigging it so completely.

 

[Rickster]

They called Vodacon for a reason.

If something is too good to be true, it probably is...

 

[d0b33]

I found it very suspicious too (not surprised though) I came close to finishing the Smeg puzzle, then no further progress even after adding more airtime.

 

[mercurial]

The house always wins.

 

[Smokey mcpot]

Hahaha that pic looks like someone logged into my app and to a screenshot of my progress with the puzzles.

have only completed one mystery gift puzzle and got 100mb as a prize. The rest was duplicates like crazy.
On the bright side, I’ve saved R400 on one day only with the R100 vouchers, have been getting free smoothies like crazy (17 of them). Still some coffees and a few R50 nandos vouchers to use as well.

 

[John_Phoenix]

They got you to shake your phone vigorously for a few minutes at a time.

Some dev must be rolling on the floor laughing.

Vodacon showing it's customers what they think of them...

Stay strong, keep shakin.

 

[twr]

Hahaha that pic looks like someone logged into my app and to a screenshot of my progress with the puzzles.

have only completed one mystery gift puzzle and got 100mb as a prize. The rest was duplicates like crazy.
On the bright side, I’ve saved R400 on one day only with the R100 vouchers, have been getting free smoothies like crazy (17 of them). Still some coffees and a few R50 nandos vouchers to use as well.

How do you get the smoothies? I shake daily never get them, if you don't use them I'll gladly take them

 

[Geoff.D]

The coupon collectors problem.
The biggest scam ever.

Read all about all over the Internet. It must be the second most analysed scam bar lotteries.

One of the most interesting observations of the coupon collector problem is that a collection becomes more difficult to complete as one approaches a full collection. The final item in a collection typically requires the most effort to obtain.

And then to rub salt into the wounds, VC publishes a winners list. Now IF you check the winner's list you will note that the pics used look just like a bunch of stock pics some news sources use.

The maths is not all that difficult to work through before you fall for their BS.

They are also very good at finding what "small" victories will keep you coming back for more.

Like the Coffee coupons or the PnP vouchers for a free 440 ml coke, or that one that catches me and the wife all the time, the R 25,00 off if you spend more than R 250 at Dischem.

All you have to do to get one of these every month is make sure you have location activated when you visit Dischem, with your mobile device, and two of them if you go there with two devices!

The idiots think we are all blind stupid fools.

 

[LazyLion]

Another scam by the criminal organisation...

 

[Geoff.D]

They should call it "The shakedown2020"

 

[ld13]

All you have to do to get one of these every month is make sure you have location activated when you visit Dischem, with your mobile device, and two of them if you go there with two devices!

Having location on, does not automagically hand that info to Vodacom?

 

[Smokey mcpot]

How do you get the smoothies? I shake daily never get them, if you don't use them I'll gladly take them

I got them with the mega shakes. I’ve been using them daily. 3 everyday for my wife, daughter and myself.

despite not getting the puzzle pieces I’ve realized that I’ve scored quite a bit as they’re all 350ml smoothies. I’ve had quite a few nandos R50 vouchers as well.

I do think these only come with mega shakes though.

 

[Geoff.D]

Of course what really adds insult to the injury is that some of the big prizes have a final twist. IF you get through the hurdle of getting all the pieces you find that all you have won is an "entry" into a draw for the big prize.
And then the SA only special twist.
The PDA angle.
As if the demographics don't already stack the odds sufficiently against minorities.

 

[marbro]

wait, so if i get the 50k pieces, i go into a draw?

 

[Nemus]

Agree completely. I got within 1 puzzle of 7 puzzles so far, with 15 MegaShakes to go. Guess what.. duplicates all the way, even though it was Double Puzzle pieces on most of the shakes!
Hey, at least I got many drinks at Kauai at some discount at PnP...

But yeah, not a competition.

 

[Geoff.D]

wait, so if i get the 50k pieces, i go into a draw?

I have not checked lately which ones are tied to a draw so cant be specific.

 

[twr]

I got them with the mega shakes. I’ve been using them daily. 3 everyday for my wife, daughter and myself.

despite not getting the puzzle pieces I’ve realized that I’ve scored quite a bit as they’re all 350ml smoothies. I’ve had quite a few nandos R50 vouchers as well.

I do think these only come with mega shakes though.

I used to get them with the normal free daily shakes many months ago, but havent got any in months , I don't have much points for the mega shakes and when I do I get 2 puzzles which I know I'll never win. I'm.more interested in the free drinks lol

 

[Chaoticelf]

I blew 200 points on this con and decided to save the rest rather

 

[twr]

I blew 200 points on this con and decided to save the rest rather

Besides puzzles did u get anything worthwhile?

 

[Chaoticelf]

Besides puzzles did u get anything worthwhile?

Got a lot of Kauai drink vouchers and those mystery 2 piece puzzle crap and random data amounts that is valid for only the day you won it which made me lose interest