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alliedcomputing · Jul 24, 2003, 10:33 PM

Here is your chance to get a brand new PowerBook G4 17" for only $10.00 and help out a family in need.

We're holding a raffle so we can make a donation to a local family that recently faced a tragedy.

Check out all the information about the raffle at http://www.alliedcomputing.com/raffle/

Questions or comments should be addressed to: marketing@alliedcomputing.com

alliedcomputing · Jul 29, 2003, 04:16 PM

We just sold the 100th ticket for the raffle. We are 20% of the way to selling all 500 tickets.

Thanks to everyone who has purchased a ticket so far, and if you haven't purchased a ticket yet, why not?

Draco · Jul 29, 2003, 04:46 PM

I bought one! seem like pretty good odds.

hopefully it's not a scam!

romeosc · Jul 29, 2003, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by Draco:
I bought one! seem like pretty good odds.

hopefully it's not a scam!

The site has no mention of donation to "needy family" or how much! Sounds like a great marketing tool..... sell 500 tickets @ $10 =$5000 less cost of powerbook = $2000 to needy company!

PARDON MY SKEPTICISM!

Draco · 11:16 AM

Uh... scratch that just got my raffle number. Everyone get one so they can have a sucessful raffle!

Sorry for my skepticism

alliedcomputing · Jul 29, 2003, 11:24 PM

This is true, the site has no mention of the needy family, as we didn't want to come off as a charity asking for donations. All proffit from the raffle will be given to the family. We will provide proof of payment to the family for anyone who asks.

If you haven't received your ticket number, please send an email to marketing@alliedcomputing.com and let us know your email address and if possible your PayPal confirmation number. We will sort out the problem and let you know what is going on.

Also remember that if you pay via e-check, it takes a few days for the payment to clear PayPal's system and the ticket won't be issued until the payment clears.

Thanks

Draco · Jul 30, 2003, 11:16 AM

Just got my number, good luck to anyone else!

murbot · Jul 30, 2003, 11:23 AM

Aren't raffles illegal? Thought they were in the US. MacRaffle.com, anyone?

I think you should post information on this "needy family" in this thread if you want anyone to buy a ticket.

ybalx · Jul 30, 2003, 12:42 PM

I'm falling on the skeptical side of the fence.

I too was enticed, but after getting to the paypal screen and seeing that this verified store only has 9 verified transactions I became concerned. The paypal fine print indicated that sales under 30 days are not reported may prove that this site is valid... dunno

Could someone who lives in the area drop by this business address (using phone number for location) and provide a verification? Photo?

vmarks · Jul 30, 2003, 04:54 PM

First off, this isn't a powerbook thread, it's a Marketplace thread.

Second, different states have different policies towards raffles and the legality of them. Countries differ as well- for example, Canada requires a skill test to win.

alliedcomputing · Jul 30, 2003, 04:58 PM

We know about the fate of MacRaffle.com. We did some checking and here is what we discovered BEFORE we started our raffle.

First of all, you can't run a raffle business. That is your primary business function can't be running a raffle, you have to have a regular business and the raffle just be an "extra". Also be sure to check your State, County, and city laws. In Montana, where we are, you have to have a permit from the County Commissioner for every raffle you conduct and you have to give an accounting after the raffle is done. Also, make sure that you check the IRS publications on raffles, along with the US Postal laws. You can't send raffle tickets, or receive payments for the tickets via the US Mail. Also, you have to own the item BEFORE you raffle it, you can't use the funds from the raffle to purchase the items. Some states consider raffles to be a form of gambling, so you may need a Gaming License from your state, also some states allow "Gaming" to take place but not over the internet. Really the ONLY way to make sure is to consult the specific laws for your state and county.

So we did our checking and talked to our attorney. As far as we can tell we have followed all the rules, so we should be ok.

brainchild2b · Aug 3, 2003, 07:28 AM

I did a little checking around, and also verified when their domain name was purchased. The date of the domain registration can tell quite a bit about a company.

For everything I gathered, including making a few phone calls they appear to be a legitimate business.

If you want your raffle to work successfully I suggest you post a picture of your storefront if you have one. Or if your business is strickly from home I recommend that you post a picture of you holding the powerbook in question.

I realize that it wouldn't be polite to the family your helping to post about them on forums and on your site.

MattiMattMatt · Aug 4, 2003, 09:30 PM

AlliedComputing:

Have you also been licensed to solicit charitable contributions?

-MattiMattMatt

alliedcomputing · Aug 5, 2003, 08:59 PM

We've sold 33% of the tickets.

Thanks to everyone who has purchased a ticket so far.

alliedcomputing · Aug 5, 2003, 09:00 PM

Last time I checked you didn't need a licence to lend a helping hand to people in need, but be sure to update us if this has recently changed.

Scotttheking · Aug 5, 2003, 10:01 PM

Ummm.
Not sure how this thread slipped by for so long, but,

1) There is no info as to what this is regarding, which makes it smell like a scam

2) You are a business, and this forum is for individuals.

Until you prove to me that this is actually going to this family, and with proof, this thread is closed.
Email me.

--Scott

Scotttheking · Aug 10, 2003, 09:20 PM

I'm reopening this thread.

FYI, here's some info that I feel was lacking that I was told.
"As far as the funds from the raffle go. We will be giving all the profit
from the raffle to the family."

--Scott

macboi · Aug 11, 2003, 01:33 PM

As a legal professional, though there seems to be some legit claims in this thread, I would be wary about contributing. First of all, there has been NO direct claim other than in this thread about a charity. Second, if you read the fine print, you are surrendering pretty much all of your legal rights and entitlements to your cash when you process this payment through PayPal. You have very little means of recovery in the event that this is not what it seems to be. I am sure there are worthy people out there that they might be helping but from a legal standpoint, I would say beware. Go out to your local department store and buy a couple bags of dog food and take it to your animal rescue or find a Boys and Girls Club and cut them a check for 10 bucks.

Andrew

videian28 · Aug 11, 2003, 03:05 PM

I have a number

hell why not?

alliedcomputing · Aug 11, 2003, 06:12 PM

We've had lots of requests for pictures of our office / the PowerBook. Here they are:

MikeyMoves · Aug 11, 2003, 06:47 PM

Why not? Life is one big gamble anyway! 1 out of 500 isn't a bad percentage either.

IgoByte · Aug 12, 2003, 05:20 AM

I too purchased a ticket...

alliedcomputing · Aug 14, 2003, 09:11 AM

Just a quick note to update everyone on the status of the raffle.

We've sold 50% of the tickets.

There are only two weeks left before the drawing.

Thanks to everyone who has purchased a ticket.

MikeyMoves · Aug 14, 2003, 01:19 PM

Are you going to hold the auction regardless of how many tickets are sold?

thanks,

mike

alliedcomputing · Aug 14, 2003, 02:40 PM

Yes, The raffle will be held even if we don't sell all the tickets.

alliedcomputing · Aug 20, 2003, 09:04 AM

We've sold about 60% of the tickets.

The drawing will be held on the 29th as planned.

Hi I'm Ben · Aug 20, 2003, 02:15 PM

Ok just make sure i win and stuff. I could use that pb.

Originally posted by alliedcomputing:
We've sold about 60% of the tickets.

The drawing will be held on the 29th as planned.

alliedcomputing · Aug 25, 2003, 10:56 AM

Only 5 days to go until the drawing. Get your tickets now before they're all gone.

ashVID · Aug 29, 2003, 03:40 PM

So who won???

ash =o)

alliedcomputing · Aug 29, 2003, 08:09 PM

Ok Everyone. the raffle is over. Thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket. Due to your efforts, $3860.80 was collected. (This is after paying the fees to PayPal) 406 tickets were sold.

Now for the important part:

The winning number is 437102.

Once we have verified the entry, we will post the winners name and hometown. If the winner allows us, we will also post their email address.

Liquidity X · Aug 30, 2003, 08:31 AM

any plans on redoing this? I know I would deff. be interested in a g5 raffle, or 23 inc display raffle. If i didn't already have a PB I owuld have entered this one.

romeosc · Aug 31, 2003, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by alliedcomputing:
Ok Everyone. the raffle is over. Thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket. Due to your efforts, $3860.80 was collected. (This is after paying the fees to PayPal) 406 tickets were sold.

Now for the important part:

The winning number is 437102.

Once we have verified the entry, we will post the winners name and hometown. If the winner allows us, we will also post their email address.

Please give us a full accounting, now that it is over.

Sales expenses, administrative expenses, final $300 payout to needy family! Local press coverage.....

I still think this is a scam, if you charged off any undo expenses!

I see another Jessie Jackson living off the public dole!

alliedcomputing · Sep 1, 2003, 06:10 PM

406 tickets sold = 4060 income
PayPal Fees $199.20 = aprox $0.49 per ticket

Total Earned = $3860.80

Deduction for Sales expenses, Administrative fees, etc = $0.00

Payout to family = $3860.80

Press coverage = questionable. We didn't do this to beat our own chests so to speak. We did it to help the family, if we don't get any press for it, who cares, the family still received a portion of the help they need.

Any questions?

Feel free to ask.

romeosc · Sep 1, 2003, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by alliedcomputing:
406 tickets sold = 4060 income
PayPal Fees $199.20 = aprox $0.49 per ticket

Total Earned = $3860.80

Deduction for Sales expenses, Administrative fees, etc = $0.00

Payout to family = $3860.80

Press coverage = questionable. We didn't do this to beat our own chests so to speak. We did it to help the family, if we don't get any press for it, who cares, the family still received a portion of the help they need.

Any questions?

Feel free to ask.

What about cost of PB?

You donated it?

I hope this is true!

I'd like to believe some good still exists,.......

alliedcomputing · Sep 1, 2003, 08:32 PM

We did not deduct the cost of the PowerBook from the profit. As per Montana State law section 23-5-413.2 "Except for a religious corporation sole or a nonprofit organization, a person or organization conducting a raffle shall own all prizes to be awarded as part of the raffle before the sale of any tickets." So basically you can't use the profit from the raffle to pay for the items, it's against the law (At least in Montana where we are)

So yes, ALL the profit from the raffle is being donated.

Zimmerman · Sep 1, 2003, 10:35 PM

Yay for Montana (thats where I'm from). Ever eat at the Echo Lake Cafe on HWY 83 (Swan HWY) about 4 miles from Streeter's Corner?

GeoMac · Sep 2, 2003, 08:56 AM

do did anyone from here win or what?

CheesePuff · Sep 2, 2003, 02:15 PM

Yeah, why don't you tell us who won... I as well still think this is a scam.

alliedcomputing · Sep 2, 2003, 11:10 PM

We have received the necessary information to certify the winner.

The winner is: Anar Frudan
Hometown: Missoula, Montana

He has asked that we please not release his e-mail adddress. If there is a need to communicate with him, you can send a message to pbwinner@alliedcomputing.com and it will be automatically forwarded to him.

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

mrchin · Sep 3, 2003, 02:25 AM

And the winner just happened to be from Montana, as is the company that started the raffle? hmm

Liquidity X · Sep 3, 2003, 09:30 AM

I don't know why every one is giving them such a hard time about being lagit. This is a respectable Apple reseller, I bought my 20th anniversary mac formthese guys like 5 years ago. They are good peps.

Eriamjh · Sep 3, 2003, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by mrchin:
And the winner just happened to be from Montana, as is the company that started the raffle? hmm

Most of the tickets were probably sold locally, so the likelyhood of someone in Montana winning was high.

But were they located near Missoula?

alliedcomputing · Sep 3, 2003, 07:30 PM

In regard to the winners...

1. We are located in Kalispell, The winner is in Missoula. Missoula is 120 miles away from here.

2. A large majority of the tickets were sold locally, I would have been more surprised if someone from out of the area won.

3. Does it really matter who won? No! The whole point of the raffle was to raise money for the cause. Next time we won't give a prize, we'll just call you during dinner at home and beg for money until you either give in or start swearing and hang up.

When did it become so difficult to do something nice for someone else without everyone yelling about it being a fraud or scam.

Scotttheking · Sep 3, 2003, 07:44 PM

Originally posted by alliedcomputing:
406 tickets sold = 4060 income
PayPal Fees $199.20 = aprox $0.49 per ticket

Total Earned = $3860.80

Deduction for Sales expenses, Administrative fees, etc = $0.00

Payout to family = $3860.80

Press coverage = questionable. We didn't do this to beat our own chests so to speak. We did it to help the family, if we don't get any press for it, who cares, the family still received a portion of the help they need.

Any questions?

Feel free to ask.

Too bad that wasn't made explicitly clear. I would have bought a ticket if you had stated that all proceeds go to the family, instead of all profit.

The flaming stops, now.

For future reference, if anyone wants to do a charitable auction, contact myself or another moderator first.

Hi I'm Ben · Sep 4, 2003, 09:19 AM

Because people are weiners.

Originally posted by Liquidity X:
I don't know why every one is giving them such a hard time about being lagit. This is a respectable Apple reseller, I bought my 20th anniversary mac formthese guys like 5 years ago. They are good peps.