View Full Version : >>> Official 2006 MCDONALD'S BEST BUY MONOPOLY Thread <<<
This is the official thread for discussing the 2006 McDonald's Monopoly / Best Buy Bucks promotion. Please keep all related discussion in this thread.
Official Game Website (http://monopoly.promotions.com/monopoly06/rules.do?page=splashflash.html)
Official Rules (http://monopoly.promotions.com/monopoly06/rules.do?page=rules.html)
MarkRaby
8-1-2006, 12:03 PM
Yep; you were all wondering when I'd make the first thread about this year's Monopoly game. Well, now that there are some official details, it's time to start talking about it :D. Of course, the big thing is always the Best Buy Buck component. Check out this thread from last year's game to see what I mean:
http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=14311&highlight=mcdonald%27s+monopoly
I found this interview transcript from Chief Marketer (http://chiefmarketer.com/cm_plus/bigmac_million/), where the guy in charge of the promotional side of the game gave some info about this year's game. First off, it looks like Best Buy won't be in the spotlight as much this year. However, there will still be Best Buy Bucks. Here's the quote: "[T]hey are participating in the guaranteed win portion of the game and offering a $5 Best Buy Buck." Since it says "guaranteed win" I'm assuming that $1 BB Bucks will indeed make a return for this year. However, the $5 BB Bucks means that the 1 in 3 chance of a $3 buck from last year is gone. I wonder if they'll change it to a 1 in 5 chance of getting a $5 buck... that would be sweet.
Also, here's another interesting quote: "It's based on offering money and cash and wealth, versus prizes." This reminds me of the Monopoly game from several years ago, the "pick your prize" one. There were a lot of small cash prizes there, like $10 and $20. It would be awesome if they seeded in a bunch of small prizes like that, instead of a 1-in-a-million shot for a big-screen TV, to make it easier to win something.
Finally, the big news ....*drum roll*.... the game's official "launch date" will be October 3. Get ready to start counting down the days! And maybe you should get a head start on those self-addressed stamped envelopes for free game pieces!
fairydustcrissy
8-1-2006, 12:08 PM
I am actually taking a page from the Book of MarkRaby, lol. I trade coupons, and someimes I trade for stamps. I have decided to take all the stamps I recieve, and use them for the promotion :) Hehe, that way, I am not even spending money for the stamps! Granted, i wont have nearly as many, but still...
tyler99199
8-1-2006, 12:20 PM
Has anyone ever won anything from this game?
And did you get any good pieces by sending away for them?
MarkRaby
8-1-2006, 12:34 PM
Has anyone ever won anything from this game?
And did you get any good pieces by sending away for them?
Yes. Thanks to the Best Buy Bucks, which guarantee you at least a $1 Best Buy "gift card", last year, for about $520, I ended up with over $1,200 in Best Buy "money", which I used both in-store and online, taking my total to $2,400. I also won over a dozen iTunes downloads, a bunch of ringtones, etc. In 2004, I netted around $600 in Best Buy Bucks, plus hundreds of small "virtual" prizes (song downloads, etc). And in 2003, I got $174 Best Buy Bucks, a $50 Best Buy gift card, and a $50 cash prize. Also, of course, my breakfast, lunch, and dinner were always paid for, thanks to the hundreds upon hundreds of free food prizes I won.
Gurnee Al
8-1-2006, 12:44 PM
Thanks. This is always my favorite game. I never won anything other than free food. I love the BB bucks. They were all over eBay selling for about 80% to 90% of face value.
tyler99199
8-1-2006, 12:47 PM
So do you take all those best buy tags off of the fries into Best Buy and just hand them to the cashier when you are ready to check out?
I have never really played this game since there is no B.B. around here.
wow i thought you could only use 1 at a time meaing 1$ per trip to best buy...i threw mine all out! i know im about to get my head chewed off
RossMAN
8-1-2006, 12:51 PM
Has anyone ever won anything from this game?
Other than food prizes, no.
And did you get any good pieces by sending away for them?
Yes, read my post here (http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=22203).
Basically we spent $111 on postage and received $265 in Best Buy bucks, it was awesome!!!
RossMAN
8-1-2006, 12:52 PM
So do you take all those best buy tags off of the fries into Best Buy and just hand them to the cashier when you are ready to check out?
I have never really played this game since there is no B.B. around here.
Yes but you don't have to buy any McDonalds food. If you send a SASE you receive a free game piece in the mail.
tyler99199
8-1-2006, 1:06 PM
Guess I need to start stocking up on stamps. I will find a best buy to use them at. The one around here will not be built until 2007
Guess I need to start stocking up on stamps. I will find a best buy to use them at. The one around here will not be built until 2007
Where in PA are you?? There is a BB in Wilmington DE and I'm pretty sure theres one in Lancaster.
I will rejoice in my exepmtion from the SASE requirement!
Have they used the same address for the past 2-3 years (when sending in SASE)? Curious.
I'm going to start stocking up on stamps. :D
VonnegutFan
8-1-2006, 1:34 PM
I'm totally in this year... Looks like I missed some great opportunities the last few times around.
tyler99199
8-1-2006, 1:37 PM
Where in PA are you?? There is a BB in Wilmington DE and I'm pretty sure theres one in Lancaster.
Lancaster would be the closest for me or I think there is one in Harrisburg also. I was just checking them out. I usually always went to Circuit City. I am around the York area
Have they used the same address for the past 2-3 years (when sending in SASE)? Curious.
I'm going to start stocking up on stamps. :D
Good question, Mark Raby would know for sure.
If they have, we might get started writing envelopes now?
Good question, Mark Raby would know for sure.
If they have, we might get started writing envelopes now?
Why not just print them out on a printer? Most printers should be able to print on an envelope. I think that would take a lot less time.
The SASE's must be handwritten, per the rules. The envelope used to mail in your request can be computer-printed.
I wish we could print the envelopes or even stamp them but it says something like "no mechanical reproductions" :(
On the SASE, I believe that can be printed but the envelope going to them must be hand written. Just to be safe we hand write both with no return address on the SASE.
The SASE's must be handwritten, per the rules. The envelope used to mail in your request can be computer-printed.
Oh... weak
I'm sure I could find a font that looks like handwriting :)
/me Googles "chicken scratch font" brb
Wow, Google knows all
http://www.dafont.com/font.php?file=chicken_scratch
tootsieroll23
8-1-2006, 2:13 PM
Good thing the kids love McDonalds. Once this starts DH will have us eating supper there all the time for the Best Buy bucks.
Wow, Google knows all
http://www.dafont.com/font.php?file=chicken_scratch
Or any of these: http://www.free-fonts.com/handwriting_fonts.html
Or any of these: http://www.free-fonts.com/handwriting_fonts.html
This font (http://www.pca.ne.jp/fff/newfont/search.cgi?start=30&group=New-H) looks very real.
I have no doubt you could fool them with one envelope. But Mark and Ross and some others plan to send a ton - and who knows if they would notice how exactly alike the "writing" is.
And since that would be a convenient excuse for them to not send the game pieces, I wouldn't be surprised if they would be looking for it. It certainly serves their interest to disqualify any invalid requests.
For one or a few envelopes mailed on different days, it could sneak through. I wouldn't take the chance on spending $500 to send in a boatload of requests only to have them (justifiably) toss them all out for not handprinting the SASEs.
Marcster
8-1-2006, 2:48 PM
This font (http://www.pca.ne.jp/fff/newfont/search.cgi?start=30&group=New-H) looks very real.
"Server not found
Firefox can't find the server at www.pca.ne.jp."
This font (http://www.pca.ne.jp/fff/newfont/search.cgi?start=30&group=New-H) looks very real.
Yep, worth a shot, you should try sending a few of those in and if they come back then do some more. I doubt they have someone looking at them with a microscope examining if it's really handwritten.
I have no doubt you could fool them with one envelope. But Mark and Ross and some others plan to send a ton - and who knows if they would notice how exactly alike the "writing" is.
And since that would be a convenient excuse for them to not send the game pieces, I wouldn't be surprised if they would be looking for it. It certainly serves their interest to disqualify any invalid requests.
For one or a few envelopes mailed on different days, it could sneak through. I wouldn't take the chance on spending $500 to send in a boatload of requests only to have them (justifiably) toss them all out for not handprinting the SASEs.
Good point. Maybe a dozen mailed over the course of a week would slip through but if they received 100+ they would probably just toss them.
It isn't worth the risk so we'll be hand writing our envelopes :(
I'm hand writing all of the envelopes. I figure we have time, so why not?
Another q, do the SASE's have to be business size envies, or can they be the smaller size?
Marcster
8-1-2006, 3:15 PM
I'm hand writing all of the envelopes. I figure we have time, so why not?
Another q, do the SASE's have to be business size envies, or can they be the smaller size?
I don't know the answer, but #9 envelopes fit inside a #10 nicely. :yup:
Another q, do the SASE's have to be business size envies, or can they be the smaller size?
Based on our experience last year, yes the SASE can be the smaller of the two. This makes it 100x easier.
LOL by the time the promotion begins this thread will have over 100 posts :)
Based on our experience last year, yes the SASE can be the smaller of the two. This makes it 100x easier.
LOL by the time the promotion begins this thread will have over 100 posts :)
Did we get an official date yet?
EDIT: NM, read the OP
Marcster
8-1-2006, 3:24 PM
Based on our experience last year, yes the SASE can be the smaller of the two. This makes it 100x easier.
LOL by the beginning of next week this thread will have over 100 posts :)
http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Words/fixed.gif
I work for a place that does a small portion of McDonald's stuff. I wonder if this makes me ineligible for the game? I can't say what we do, had to sign a no disclosure form.
I guess I will do it again this year. Hand writing the SASEs was such a pain though. I forget my #s, but I think I spent $4XX and got back $7XX in BB bucks plus well over 100 food pieces.
nubeedeallover
8-1-2006, 4:28 PM
I work for a place that does a small portion of McDonald's stuff. I wonder if this makes me ineligible for the game? I can't say what we do, had to sign a no disclosure form.
Now I want to know what you do, LOL! Guard the secret recipes? ;)
I work for a place that does a small portion of McDonald's stuff. I wonder if this makes me ineligible for the game? I can't say what we do, had to sign a no disclosure form.
I'd ask your employer.
saraczek
8-1-2006, 5:13 PM
In years past have there been "rules" about how many you could send for?
jamesave
8-1-2006, 5:51 PM
In years past have there been "rules" about how many you could send for?
There is no limit rule.. but who knows? I also wonder if they could eliminate the SASE rule?
Gurnee Al
8-1-2006, 6:10 PM
Hey, for all those who are sending in 100's of game piece requests, were you able to keep count to know that all of your requests were responded to and resulted in game pieces? If I do this, maybe I can number each SASE on the back to track this easier.
All you need to do is keep track on how many you sent in. I didn't receive all of mine back, but I sent in 500.
All you need to do is keep track on how many you sent in. I didn't receive all of mine back, but I sent in 500.
About how many would you say you did NOT receive back? Just curious here.
I don't remember exactly, but it was less than 30 I think.
No monopoly game will get me to eat their food, yuck!
About how many would you say you did NOT receive back? Just curious here.
Out of 150 (300 total including SASE) maybe 5.
No monopoly game will get me to eat their food, yuck!
That is the beauty of the game, no purchase necessary. :)
No monopoly game will get me to eat their food, yuck!
think of all the homeless you could feed!
I REALLY DONT GET THE CRAZE... as i said before i tossed them out...i thought noone ever wins.. and the bb bucks ,dont you have to use one per purchase or something...
Lancaster would be the closest for me or I think there is one in Harrisburg also. I was just checking them out. I usually always went to Circuit City. I am around the York area
Ok then yes Lancaster one would be closest for you, I don't live far from you, about 20 minutes or so.
I REALLY DONT GET THE CRAZE... as i said before i tossed them out...i thought noone ever wins.. and the bb bucks ,dont you have to use one per purchase or something...
Last year the limit on BB bucks was $300 worth per day/per store.
mitchandalisha
8-1-2006, 10:21 PM
Last year the limit on BB bucks was $300 worth per day/per store.
That's great to know for this year! I threw away alot of BB bucks because I also thought it was a $3 limit per item/per day. So, I couldn't save up BB bucks and get a CD for free. Can you use several BB bucks and get a CD for free?
elena_398
8-1-2006, 10:47 PM
No prizes won, but always free food. I usually give away my BB bucks, but my son wants an I-pod so Im going to save them up this year
MrsHoneybee
8-1-2006, 11:01 PM
I'm hand writing all of the envelopes. I figure we have time, so why not?
Another q, do the SASE's have to be business size envies, or can they be the smaller size?
Last year hubby and I started folding the business size envelopes to put within the original request mail-in business size envelope...though after maybe 20 or so..we switched to the smaller size envelopes for the SASE, perfect fit and saves a LOT of folding. :)
tyler99199
8-2-2006, 7:36 AM
Ok then yes Lancaster one would be closest for you, I don't live far from you, about 20 minutes or so.
Yes about 20 min. Howdy neighbor :)
MarkRaby
8-3-2006, 1:25 PM
Hey again everyone. With my new apartment, I don't yet have Internet (getting it tomorrow) so I have to backtrack to my parents' house to use the computer, so that's why I haven't been here much.
Anyway, to answer some of the questions:
- The send-to address has been different for the past few years. In 2003, it was in Young America, MN. In 2004, same city but different address. In 2005, it moved to Strongsville, OH, which seems to be the new promotion HQ for McDonald's, but there'd be no way to know for sure the exact address.
- Best Buy Bucks are stackable. In 2003, there was no limit (you could bring in 10,000 Bucks and buy a plasma TV or something). In 2004, they restricted it to $300 per purchase, with a $3 limit on any one CD or DVD. Same restriction in 2005, and I'm imagining it will be the same this year.
- There's never been a limit on how many game pieces you could send away for, and there never will be, unless Congress does something. You see, the whole reason for the free game piece thing is because of the wording in some obscure law that was passed decades ago because of lottery fraud (I won't get into the details).
- And to repeat, you do not have to eat anything at McDonald's to get a lot from this game. Just send away for free game pieces!
Yes about 20 min. Howdy neighbor :)
Enjoying this heat were having? :yuck:
- There's never been a limit on how many game pieces you could send away for, and there never will be, unless Congress does something. You see, the whole reason for the free game piece thing is because of the wording in some obscure law that was passed decades ago because of lottery fraud (I won't get into the details).
Not because of lottery fraud, but you're close.
The reason game pieces must be provided free on request is that - in the eyes of the law - if you must buy something to enter a contest, that is technically a lottery, which is illegal. They can run contests that give you entries in return for purchases, and as long as there is a way to enter for free, that's OK.
think about this .. if you need to buy 2 stmaps (one for the sase and one for the one you send isnt it a better idea to pay a buck and get the food or even a soda? i know the soda it ones on cost more then 1$ but still..
Marcster
8-3-2006, 3:14 PM
think about this .. if you need to buy 2 stmaps (one for the sase and one for the one you send isnt it a better idea to pay a buck and get the food or even a soda? i know the soda it ones on cost more then 1$ but still..
Someone else will pipe in here, but I think gamepieces only comes on large sodas and large fries... (and Premium Chicken Sandwiches?)
biomajor
8-3-2006, 6:56 PM
Yes and big macs
MarkRaby
8-3-2006, 9:00 PM
Not because of lottery fraud, but you're close.
The reason game pieces must be provided free on request is that - in the eyes of the law - if you must buy something to enter a contest, that is technically a lottery, which is illegal. They can run contests that give you entries in return for purchases, and as long as there is a way to enter for free, that's OK.
Right-o. It's been a while so I forgot the specifics of the legal technicalities. Thanks for clearing that up.
MarkRaby
8-3-2006, 9:02 PM
Yeah, by the way, Best Buy Bucks are only included on large fries and some other expensive menu item (in 2004 it was chicken strips and last year it was chicken sandwiches), each of which easily costs near $2 or more. So buying food at McDonald's is a lot more expensive than buying stamps for free pieces.
Gurnee Al
8-3-2006, 9:50 PM
Debating between buying food and sending in a SASE?? How about both?? You can mail a stack in on the way to McDonald's for lunch! :tongue1:
happyrat
8-3-2006, 10:21 PM
I know this is in the rules somewhere, but do you have to stamp the envelope with 39 cents, or will 1 cent due. Just curious since its technically a sase with 1 cent postage right.
RossMAN
8-3-2006, 10:41 PM
I know this is in the rules somewhere, but do you have to stamp the envelope with 39 cents, or will 1 cent due. Just curious since its technically a sase with 1 cent postage right.
Yes you have to provide proper USPS first class postage which is $0.39 per envelope.
Firemansgal311
8-3-2006, 11:12 PM
Does anyone have a link to the rules?
Gator Pam
8-4-2006, 8:21 AM
Hey again everyone. With my new apartment, I don't yet have Internet (getting it tomorrow) so I have to backtrack to my parents' house to use the computer, so that's why I haven't been here much.
Anyway, to answer some of the questions:
- Best Buy Bucks are stackable. In 2003, there was no limit (you could bring in 10,000 Bucks and buy a plasma TV or something). In 2004, they restricted it to $300 per purchase, with a $3 limit on any one CD or DVD. Same restriction in 2005, and I'm imagining it will be the same this year.
I've never played this game, but it sounds like I'll give it a try this year.
So, other than CDs or DVDs, we can spend as many Best Buy Bucks as we want on a single item, up to $300 per purchase? For instance, if Best Buy has a fabulous laptop on BF, I can use $300 in Best Buy Bucks to help pay for it?
Can we mail the SASEs to arrive on 10/03 and have them be honored? Or does the postmarked date have to be 10/03? How many SASEs per day can you send in?
I've never played this game, but it sounds like I'll give it a try this year.
So, other than CDs or DVDs, we can spend as many Best Buy Bucks as we want on a single item, up to $300 per purchase? For instance, if Best Buy has a fabulous laptop on BF, I can use $300 in Best Buy Bucks to help pay for it?
Can we mail the SASEs to arrive on 10/03 and have them be honored? Or does the postmarked date have to be 10/03? How many SASEs per day can you send in?
Yep, I used my BB bucks last year on BF.
Rockfordmom
8-5-2006, 3:59 PM
WOW, and thanks! You guys keep coming up with new ideas to get a great deal and save $$$$...
KBsDarling
8-5-2006, 10:20 PM
i too am planning to try it this year...got a little confused though....Which of the 2 envelopes can be printed and still be "legal" or is it just better to hand cramp it the whole way?
and even if they were on dollar items wont the stamps only be 78cents? I know its only 22cents but between not wanting to be my very own SuperSize ME subject and over the course of 100's 22 cents does add up
i too am planning to try it this year...got a little confused though....Which of the 2 envelopes can be printed and still be "legal" or is it just better to hand cramp it the whole way?
and even if they were on dollar items wont the stamps only be 78cents? I know its only 22cents but between not wanting to be my very own SuperSize ME subject and over the course of 100's 22 cents does add up
That SASE, which is the self addressed stamped envelope has to be hand written. The envelope going to McD promotional HQ with the SASE inside it can be pre-printed, at least in the past.
Am I understanding this correctly? Aren't you guaranteed AT LEAST $1 BBB in return plus some sort of free item from McD's?
So if you sent in 500 requests ($390 in postage for sending it in plus SASE), you'd get AT LEAST $500 back, if not more of course.
Or are you not guaranteed at least $1 BBB?
Am I understanding this correctly? Aren't you guaranteed AT LEAST $1 BBB in return plus some sort of free item from McD's?
So if you sent in 500 requests ($390 in postage for sending it in plus SASE), you'd get AT LEAST $500 back, if not more of course.
Or are you not guaranteed at least $1 BBB?
Unless the rules change, this is how it would work.
MarkRaby
8-6-2006, 8:53 PM
Am I understanding this correctly? Aren't you guaranteed AT LEAST $1 BBB in return plus some sort of free item from McD's?
So if you sent in 500 requests ($390 in postage for sending it in plus SASE), you'd get AT LEAST $500 back, if not more of course.
Or are you not guaranteed at least $1 BBB?
The official rules for this year have not yet been released, so we don't know for sure. But it seems like that will be the case. Since Best Buy entered the game, in 2003, it's been this way - you've been guaranteed at least a $1 Buck. So yeah, for every dollar you spend on postage (omitting cost of envelopes for simplicity), you'll get at least $1.28 back. I've got no idea on the odds of winning higher value Bucks or other prizes, but I'd imagine that the expected value of return would be greater than that, by a worthwhile amount.
MarkRaby
8-6-2006, 8:55 PM
Can we mail the SASEs to arrive on 10/03 and have them be honored? Or does the postmarked date have to be 10/03? How many SASEs per day can you send in?
In past years, the rules have specified "must be postmarked between XX/XX/XX and XX/XX/XX", so it's alright to prepare the envelopes before October 3 (the start of the contest), but, unless the rules say otherwise, I'd hesitate from sending them out before then.
well here a mcdonalds does this sale i dont think its the corp.just the ones owned by the guy here...but a big mac and small fri is $1.50 wich is a GREAT deal ...(not that i like big macs) but worthwile if savign these things i guess
the sale is onlyu every first week of the month)
Wasn't there something during all those BF conversations last year about BestBuy not honoring the Bucks on BF? Does anybody remember that?
(yes I know I could look it up in the archives, but I'm in the middle of cooking supper and a long search would endanger the results. LOL)
mstacks - some people had problems, others did not. It depended on what sales person/cashier you got.
HooooBoyyyy. Even if I manage to get enough Bucks to make a dent in a price it looks like I may be out of luck on BF, then. The only BB close to me (central AR) has some of the most UNhelpfull people you've ever talked to. :-( Too bad the Bucks can't be used for Online orders. :-(
misshayley
8-8-2006, 9:03 AM
HooooBoyyyy. Even if I manage to get enough Bucks to make a dent in a price it looks like I may be out of luck on BF, then. The only BB close to me (central AR) has some of the most UNhelpfull people you've ever talked to. :-( Too bad the Bucks can't be used for Online orders. :-(
Last year DH and I used ours online. Has there been a change?
MarkRaby
8-8-2006, 4:09 PM
Too bad the Bucks can't be used for Online orders. :-(
Don't get discouraged too soon. The Best Buy Bucks have always had an online redemption ability. There are individual codes printed on each Buck and you can enter them when checking out online. These are stackable as well. In 2003, again there was no limit, but for the past two years you were limited to 40 codes (which means if you had 40 $5 Bucks, you could use $200 worth on one online purchase). Don't know what it will be this year, but I'm imagining it will be the same.
MarkRaby
8-8-2006, 4:15 PM
Wasn't there something during all those BF conversations last year about BestBuy not honoring the Bucks on BF? Does anybody remember that?
(yes I know I could look it up in the archives, but I'm in the middle of cooking supper and a long search would endanger the results. LOL)
It was not so much an issue of using them on Black Friday. It was an issue of individual Best Buy stores passing down bogus supplemental rules about them. In Ohio, I actually had no problem using hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth over the course of the promotion, including $300 on Black Friday.
IIRC, Indiana had the most problems, since there were big management decisions from their regional offices that changed the limits, meaning the individual store managers would actually get in trouble with their superiors if they let you use a ton of them, even though the rules said you could. A quick call to Best Buy's 1-888 number solved this, but it was still a pain.
And of course there were isolated incidents where the BB employees would essentially treat the customers as thieves and accuse them of being McD's employees and stealing the Bucks. But for every one of those there were probably 3 or 4 people who had no problem redeeming a large amount of them.
The addition in the last year of requiring you to provide a photo ID if you use more than $75 drastically cut down on the immediate accusations from BB, since they could just go in after the fact and check to see if you were ineligible in any way (e.g. an employee at McD's).
motoXmom
8-9-2006, 6:33 AM
Mark Tons of Great info! Thanks ;) I actually have started buying extra stamps and stashing them away just for this. lol But with my luck I'll forget where I put them.
happyrat
8-9-2006, 1:28 PM
Well Rossman I see a new gottapoints redemption option, a roll of stamps for a certain number of points. Hint hint.
chinacat
8-9-2006, 2:56 PM
This is great info....I never thought about doing anything like this. But thanks to all of you, especially Mark...I am going to give it a shot. Kids start back to school in 13 days, I will have plenty of time for writing envelopes then!!!
Thanks Again~You guys Rock!!!!
shopping mom
8-9-2006, 3:21 PM
I have never done the Best Buy Bucks before, I am this year though. I am going to buy envelopes the next time I go to Walmart and start the SASE soon. I do not know what I will redeem them for but I am sure I can find something!
darianwiccan
8-23-2006, 7:09 AM
I am DEFINITELY going to start addressing envelopes today! I think I'll go for 500 SASE's, since here in Dayton, OH we have 4 Best Buy's that are easily accessible. If only I had known before that these were stackable and usable on BF! Thanks everyone.
chinacat
8-23-2006, 10:27 AM
I bought my envelopes....now to start writing!!!! Kids are back in school, just seems like I am busier than I used to be!
elena_398
8-23-2006, 10:29 AM
A few questions. If they were answered earlier in the thread I missed it:
On what items are the BB bucks on?
Could I use the BB bucks on getting my son an I-Pod this year for christmas or is there certain items you can spend them on.
What is the highest amount of BB bucks could I use to buy one? (my husband said his shift buys McDonalds all the time and he could get all their bucks as they threw them out last year)
Thanks all
I found this info at another website - with an article which is an interview with Mcd's marketing people. Here is a direct quote from the article.
"CM PLUS: When will this year's Monopoly game start? Anything different planned for 2006?
HESS: It launches on October 3. McDonald's is taking the lead this year instead of sharing the spotlight with Best Buy. I can't share too much yet, but you'll see what we've done is very research driven. It's based on offering money and cash and wealth, versus prizes"
here is the link to the full article: http://chiefmarketer.com/cm_plus/bigmac_million/
So, hopefully that date stays the same. It will be interesting to see what they mean by offering wealth and such versus prizes. "
Also from the other website --
I have heard an interesting rumor...
Instead of best buy bucks will be mcdonalds bucks that you turn in online for all kinds of prizes. Included in online prizes will be best buy gift certificates, mcdonalds GC, and other GC's. Essentially this will take care of the double dip problem and create a buffer to when you recieve your prize.
Forgot to add -
I didn't participate in this last year, and looking at all the threads of what people were able to get, I wish I had. I talked to DH about this, and he scoffed at spending $$ for stamps. I'll have to figure out how I am going to stamps - otherwise, I found that the $3 coupons at Staples (for turning in used ink cartridges) worked well to buy boxes of envelopes ($2.99) as long as I found a really cheap filler. They have glue for $.09 (the cheapest thing I could find), so I think I am going to end up with a lot of Elmer's glue. lol!!!
I am hoping to get ~200-300 in the mail this year. Thanks to everyone who has given hints and suggestions for those of us who didn't get in on it before. I just hope it's just as fruitful this year as it was in the past.
stiltman
9-2-2006, 10:09 AM
what i need to do is find a friend in one of the states that omit the return postage ,and send all of them there and then have my new friend send them to me in one envelope with one stamp!!!
momof2many
9-2-2006, 10:51 AM
what i need to do is find a friend in one of the states that omit the return postage ,and send all of them there and then have my new friend send them to me in one envelope with one stamp!!!
What states are those??
Gurnee Al
9-2-2006, 11:11 AM
What states are those??
I think VT is one.
I think VT is one.
VT is. Yay Vermont!
Gurnee Al
9-2-2006, 11:25 AM
VT is. Yay Vermont!
Hmmmm. I think I now know how you can repay that favor you owe me. :g_think: :smirk:
phatferd
9-3-2006, 2:04 PM
I am very interested in doing this, however, I am not sure it will be of much use to me.
I really want an LCD TV in the $500-$800 range (26").
If I ship out 200 envelopes that's $156 in postage...Say I get $300 in BB Bucks (the limit I could use on one purchase). Say I buy a $700 TV, it will make it $400, so I basically pay $560. I save $140, but still that's a lot of work for it. I could probably just work (pick up an extra shift or two) instead of doing the mailing and filling out forms and make the same amount of money.
allen6192
9-3-2006, 5:30 PM
Maybe my students will need a lesson on addressing envelopes. LOL!
ginger19
9-3-2006, 8:44 PM
i'm lost???
happyrat
9-4-2006, 12:07 AM
LOL by the time the promotion begins this thread will have over 100 posts :)
Well it already has 100.
Karmarose
9-4-2006, 12:57 AM
I am very interested in doing this, however, I am not sure it will be of much use to me.
I really want an LCD TV in the $500-$800 range (26").
If I ship out 200 envelopes that's $156 in postage...Say I get $300 in BB Bucks (the limit I could use on one purchase). Say I buy a $700 TV, it will make it $400, so I basically pay $560. I save $140, but still that's a lot of work for it. I could probably just work (pick up an extra shift or two) instead of doing the mailing and filling out forms and make the same amount of money.
http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=45407
Free envelopes for this?
I've begun self addressing envelopes.... It's a way to pass time at the kid's soccer practice.
It was a great idea, but my local Best Buy really crippled the usage for the BB Bucks. :( They would only apply $25 worth, IIRC. I still have about 50 that are self addressed from last year, and they just need a stamp, so I may go ahead and do it anyway.
RossMAN
9-18-2006, 2:45 PM
I still have about 50 that are self addressed from last year, and they just need a stamp, so I may go ahead and do it anyway.
That's what I would do.
d56nut
9-19-2006, 12:57 AM
I have a question about the SASE. Can I use my address labels? I mean, just stick one of my address labels in the middle of the SASE instead of writing out my address?
Thanks!
Michelle
Marcster
9-19-2006, 6:22 AM
I have a question about the SASE. Can I use my address labels? I mean, just stick one of my address labels in the middle of the SASE instead of writing out my address?
Thanks!
Michelle
Michelle -- that would be contrary to the rules, as Kranky stated back on post #18 (http://forums.gottadeal.com/showpost.php?p=494938&postcount=18): "The SASE's must be handwritten, per the rules. The envelope used to mail in your request can be computer-printed."
dmintelsgt
9-19-2006, 8:23 AM
October 3rd.. On my way to Mickey D's! :cheesy:
Wow - I've sure learned a lot!!! Thanks!!! I didn't know the rules last year, but now I see why they didn't let me use all of mine on 2 dvd's - I think I had about $15? I really don't like McDonald's food, but would get drinks or fries while in the mall w/ the kids.
One other question - when you take them to the store to redeem, do you just have a stack of them or do you attach them to sheets of paper? The cashiers must really hate getting $300 worth at a time!
mstacks
9-19-2006, 10:38 AM
Quote from Krstee back on 8-24:
______________________________________
I found this info at another website - with an article which is an interview with Mcd's marketing people. Here is a direct quote from the article.
Quote:
"CM PLUS: When will this year's Monopoly game start? Anything different planned for 2006?
HESS: It launches on October 3. McDonald's is taking the lead this year instead of sharing the spotlight with Best Buy. I can't share too much yet, but you'll see what we've done is very research driven. It's based on offering money and cash and wealth, versus prizes"
here is the link to the full article: http://chiefmarketer.com/cm_plus/bigmac_million/
So, hopefully that date stays the same. It will be interesting to see what they mean by offering wealth and such versus prizes. "
Also from the other website --
Quote:
I have heard an interesting rumor...
Instead of best buy bucks will be mcdonalds bucks that you turn in online for all kinds of prizes. Included in online prizes will be best buy gift certificates, mcdonalds GC, and other GC's. Essentially this will take care of the double dip problem and create a buffer to when you recieve your prize.
____________________________
Considering the above, a couple questions please: Does anyone think there may not BE the BB Bucks this year or they could be very restricted? I'd love to get a couple hundred dollars worth and hit BB for a computer come BF. ;) But I'd hate to waste that much effort and find the mail-in/buck possiblilties severly limited!) It sounds to me like McDonalds and BB want to make sure people can NOT use any rewards to do Xmas shopping but instead have to be stuck with whatever junk McD's decides to offer as prizes and then wait forever to get them. :yuck: Am I reading this wrong (I hope!)?
And here's a really "brain dead morning" question: what kind of double dip were people doing/getting last year? :g_think:
Mary
Christy Garner
9-19-2006, 11:26 AM
I have never tried to do this and would like to start. Ross, do I send two envelopes. One that is addressed to Monopoly's Best Chance Game and then another envelope inside with my address so they can send me the game pieces. Is this the way to do it? I wanted to get started this week while we are out for fall break - Thanks
RossMAN
9-19-2006, 11:41 AM
I have never tried to do this and would like to start. Ross, do I send two envelopes. One that is addressed to Monopoly's Best Chance Game and then another envelope inside with my address so they can send me the game pieces. Is this the way to do it? I wanted to get started this week while we are out for fall break - Thanks
Correct and at least the outside envelope to McDonalds should be hand written, although just to be safe I would hand write both.
phatferd
9-19-2006, 1:45 PM
Oct 3, is like 2 weeks away, does anyone know the official rules yet? I'm a little worried based on the post at the top of this page stating they plan to make some changes for this year.
Found this...
http://monopoly.promotions.com/monopoly06/front.do
Different limits, different prizes...
Without Purchase. To request a Game Piece without making a purchase at McDonald's, persons in the United States, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa may mail a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE) with sufficient postage and their return address (name, street address, city, state, country, and zip code) legibly printed thereon to: MONOPOLY® 2006 Game at McDonald's, Game Piece Request, P.O. Box 49434, Strongsville, OH 44149. Vermont residents with a return address located in Vermont may omit return postage. DO NOT SEND POTENTIAL WINNING GAME STAMPS, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO THIS ADDRESS. Each request must be mailed in a separate outer envelope. Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes, that are photocopied, mechanically reproduced or not mailed in separate outer envelopes will NOT be honored. The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored. One (1) Game Piece and one (1) Chance Piece will be mailed in response to each request, while supplies last. Mail-in requests must be postmarked no later than October 30, 2006, and received no later than November 6, 2006. If the Game runs long in restaurants, these dates are subject to a corresponding extension.
http://monopoly.promotions.com/monopoly06/front.do
Info on BB Bucks
On the left top corner, click on the Best Buy Bucks..all info is there
http://mcdstaging.promotions.com/monopoly06/rules.do?page=rules.html <---- BB Bucks Terms and Conditions
http://monopoly.promotions.com/monopoly06/front.do
Info on BB Bucks
On the left top corner, click on the Best Buy Bucks..all info is there
http://mcdstaging.promotions.com/monopoly06/rules.do?page=rules.html <---- BB Bucks Terms and Conditions
Now the limit per day has changed from $300 per day to $200 per day. I bought a roll of stamps today to start preparing my envelopes.
In the rules it says that they have to be used during" normal business hours", did anyone have trouble using them in the wee hours of BF ?
bravesrule62382
9-19-2006, 4:22 PM
In the rules it says that they have to be used during" normal business hours", did anyone have trouble using them in the wee hours of BF ?
Nope :) bought a couple of DVDs at BF prices with Best Buy Bucks last year, picked them up later in the day on Black Friday.
Yay! new info! Time to get moving on those envelopes!
Marcster
9-19-2006, 4:54 PM
How many envelopes can you send in per day?
How many envelopes can you send in per day?
I didn't see a limit... or are you challenging us?:2stickpok
Marcster
9-19-2006, 4:59 PM
I didn't see a limit... or are you challenging us?:2stickpok
No challenge... I thought there was a limit last year of 100 per day per address or something. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Non-Smiling/thembarassed.gif
stiltman
9-19-2006, 7:22 PM
Man that bites only $200.00 per day. Plus the odds of a $5.00 bbb 1in12 well it beats $0.00. I'm still going for them. Did anyone eles catch the deal about transfering game pices. Hope that will put a stop on the ebay racket with the boardwalk pieces last year. i did my math and i came up with ....
send out 500...cost $390.00 plus envlopes. will get back $664.00 in best buy bucks plus free food from Mc Yuck. Profit of $274.00 plus food. And you never know i might just win something besides food!!!
Gurnee Al
9-19-2006, 8:21 PM
Man, I'm too lazy to hand write envelopes, but I'll send in a few. I'd rather eat my way to the game pieces. (Then after the holidays, I'll get my arteries cleared out...)
Conj lucks out on this one. Only 39 cents per request for her. :p
Man that bites only $200.00 per day. Plus the odds of a $5.00 bbb 1in12 well it beats $0.00. I'm still going for them. Did anyone eles catch the deal about transfering game pices. Hope that will put a stop on the ebay racket with the boardwalk pieces last year. i did my math and i came up with ....
send out 500...cost $390.00 plus envlopes. will get back $664.00 in best buy bucks plus free food from Mc Yuck. Profit of $274.00 plus food. And you never know i might just win something besides food!!!
Just maybe, you'll win one of the bigger prizes! :)
NeepNeep
9-19-2006, 11:27 PM
I didn't participate in the 'big mail off' last year, but I was comparing the 2005 rules to the 2006 rules. Did anyone notice the new addition to the rules?
"The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored."
Looks like they now require the outer envelope to have a return address, and that address must match the SASE. There goes one of my time saving steps... :shock:
I didn't participate in the 'big mail off' last year, but I was comparing the 2005 rules to the 2006 rules. Did anyone notice the new addition to the rules?
"The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored."
Looks like they now require the outer envelope to have a return address, and that address must match the SASE. There goes one of my time saving steps... :shock:
I took it to mean the SASE needed a return address..... Yay for free labels!
what are you floks going to get with your BBB? (does this deserve it's own thread?)
I am thinking external HD.
I'm going to send in the 50 envelopes that I have left from last year. I'll probably pick up a nice notebook backpack / case. They carry Wenger (Swiss Army) bags, now, so hopefully I'll be able to pick one up at no cost above the BB Bucks.
NeepNeep
9-20-2006, 12:18 PM
I took it to mean the SASE needed a return address..... Yay for free labels!
Another one of those rules open to interpretation, I suppose. Guess I'll do a return address on both the outer and SASE, just to be sure.
I saw a commerical last night and Im sure it was for this ... Never said Mcdonlds just shows the Monopoly board, then it shows Cell phones, laptops, and trips and cash and on certain places on the board and then it was over.
I picked up my stamps, and soon I will be ready to mail. I have a question or two..
When is the best time to mail them? Should I wait until the game officially starts to mail my requests or place them in the mail now?
Thank you in advance.
RossMAN
9-20-2006, 2:31 PM
I picked up my stamps, and soon I will be ready to mail. I have a question or two..
When is the best time to mail them? Should I wait until the game officially starts to mail my requests or place them in the mail now?
Thank you in advance.
Wait until the game officially begins.
Thank you RossMan I will wait to mail them.
This will be my first time mailing in for play without purchase, and I am excited to see what the game pieces have in store for me.
KBsDarling
9-20-2006, 6:33 PM
well i got 50 of my SASE done and was going to do more until i printed off the rules and saw they wont work for a digital camera :( Bummed but will still send in the 50 I have ready I am sure DH can force himself to buy something LOL
well i got 50 of my SASE done and was going to do more until i printed off the rules and saw they wont work for a digital camera :( Bummed but will still send in the 50 I have ready I am sure DH can force himself to buy something LOL
memory cards? Batteries? What about a digital camera that is not SLR?
I saw a commerical last night and Im sure it was for this ... Never said Mcdonlds just shows the Monopoly board, then it shows Cell phones, laptops, and trips and cash and on certain places on the board and then it was over.
I saw that commercial too. I think it was for an actual Monopoly game (Silver edition or something like that).
KBsDarling
9-20-2006, 6:51 PM
Oh I know that i can buy goodies and add ons to beat all but i was worried that by getting any digital camera I would be tempting fate to have them veto the use of the BB I am yellycashierphobic
stiltman
9-20-2006, 7:35 PM
I saw that commercial too. I think it was for an actual Monopoly game (Silver edition or something like that).
It's for the new monopoly game board with new updates ....like a cell phone ,laptop,McD large fry,some sport shoe, tokens they took away some of the other tokens to replace them. Plus new properties and 2,000,000.00 for passing go. unless they uped the prices on properties it will be a longer game!!! They call it "Here and Now" But it isn't about the McD's monopoly!
well i got 50 of my SASE done and was going to do more until i printed off the rules and saw they wont work for a digital camera :( Bummed but will still send in the 50 I have ready I am sure DH can force himself to buy something LOL
Yeah I need a camcorder and saw restrictions on that to :wife: . Well this might help with Hubbys video game fetish lol :chairshot I might have to try this
Mara
Geez, looks like we're lucky that McD's still puts this on! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonald's_Monopoly).
KBsDarling
9-22-2006, 8:34 AM
Ok i know people here racked up the bbb last year and i think several mentioned more mcdonalds food then is possible to eat but has anyone won any of the higher up prizes?
krstee
9-22-2006, 10:12 AM
Ok, it says no D-SLRs, but do you think they'd deny any digital camera? (not that you'd be able to get a D-SLR for $200 (or $300 for that matter) - as most run at least $500+).
I have my inner envelopes done. Now I have to get my outter envelopes, address them and stamp all of them. Not looking forward to the outlay of $$$ for postage. Darnit - I wish I lived in VT!!!!
RossMAN
9-22-2006, 10:14 AM
Ok i know people here racked up the bbb last year and i think several mentioned more mcdonalds food then is possible to eat but has anyone won any of the higher up prizes?
That is an excellent question. Last year, we only won McD's food and BBB, that's it.
vucikn00
9-22-2006, 11:11 AM
So if I send 100 envelopes (at a cost of $0.78 for postage for each envelope), I should expect to receive approximately 8 $5 Best Buy bucks and 92 $1 Best Buy bucks for a total of $132 in Best Buy bucks?
So my net gain (excl the cost of envelopes) would be $54?
AndreaInNC
9-22-2006, 1:54 PM
I am yellycashierphobic
I love that !!!
Eeeks, anyone see this? Forgive me if it's been posted.
http://chiefmarketer.com/cm_plus/bigmac_million/
CM PLUS: When will this year's Monopoly game start? Anything different planned for 2006?
HESS: It launches on October 3. McDonald's is taking the lead this year instead of sharing the spotlight with Best Buy. I can't share too much yet, but you'll see what we've done is very research driven. It's based on offering money and cash and wealth, versus prizes.
Okay, upon looking around further, I realized they posted the rules here (http://mcdstaging.promotions.com/monopoly06/rules.do?page=rules.html) which didn't work for me a couple of days ago. Looks good! :D
So are they not giving out as many BBB's this year or something??
Some of the contests McDonald's and the other fast food places have held in the past allowed people to go in and ask for a game piece without buying anything. Sometimes they would give me a handful instead of the required single game piece. I live in Baltimore and it seems like there is a McDonald's every 4 blocks. A slight exaggeration, but they do seem to be everywhere. I wouldn't mind making the rounds everyday to pick up a game piece. Does anyone know if we can do that or is the only way to get a game piece without a purchase is by requesting it through the mail?
Could someone please verify something for me?
Can any part of the SASE or the outter envelope be address labels? Or does it all have to be handwritten? I've looked through the thread, and saw people post both ways.
I started addressing the outter envelopes tonight and I have my return address handwritten on 50 so far, and the mail to address only on about 15 and my hand is cramping something awful. (years ago I worked in a steel factory and made wire freezer baskets and refrigerator shelves for Whirlpool, and since then I haven't been able to grip anything for very long, or hold a pen or pencil for very long without my hand cramping up).
My plan right now is to do 300 envelopes (150 each SASE and outter). But at this rate I'm going to have to have someone else address most of them for me if I can't use address labels.
Thanks in advance.
From the rules:
HOW TO OBTAIN A GAME BOARD AND GAME PIECE.
To request a Game Piece without making a purchase at McDonald's, persons in the United States, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa may mail a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE) with sufficient postage and their return address (name, street address, city, state, country, and zip code) legibly printed thereon to: MONOPOLY® 2006 Game at McDonald's, Game Piece Request, P.O. Box 49434, Strongsville, OH 44149. Vermont residents with a return address located in Vermont may omit return postage. DO NOT SEND POTENTIAL WINNING GAME STAMPS, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO THIS ADDRESS. Each request must be mailed in a separate outer envelope. Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes, that are photocopied, mechanically reproduced or not mailed in separate outer envelopes will NOT be honored. The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored. One (1) Game Piece and one (1) Chance Piece will be mailed in response to each request, while supplies last. Mail-in requests must be postmarked no later than October 30, 2006, and received no later than November 6, 2006. If the Game runs long in restaurants, these dates are subject to a corresponding extension.
I think I just found my own question.
H_Hancock
9-24-2006, 5:39 PM
Could someone please verify something for me?
Can any part of the SASE or the outter envelope be address labels? Or does it all have to be handwritten? I've looked through the thread, and saw people post both ways.
I started addressing the outter envelopes tonight and I have my return address handwritten on 50 so far, and the mail to address only on about 15 and my hand is cramping something awful. (years ago I worked in a steel factory and made wire freezer baskets and refrigerator shelves for Whirlpool, and since then I haven't been able to grip anything for very long, or hold a pen or pencil for very long without my hand cramping up).
My plan right now is to do 300 envelopes (150 each SASE and outter). But at this rate I'm going to have to have someone else address most of them for me if I can't use address labels.
Thanks in advance.
From the rules:
I think I just found my own question.
Actually, I think the outer envelope can be printed or have stickers......it's just the inner envelope, or the REQUEST, has to be hand-printed. If you read closely, the rules state first "Each request must be mailed in a separate outer envelope," and then specify further into the rules they state that "Requests that are.....photocopied, mechanically reproduced or not mailed in separate outer envelopes will NOT be honored."
Now, as I read the rules, only the request, or the inner SASE envelope, is the one that must be hand-written. The outer envelope is irrelevant.
labgeek
9-24-2006, 6:47 PM
Guess that depends on how you define "request"... If the request is simply the inner envelope that's one thing. But if the package (outer and inner envelopes) is the request, then that's another. Guess the question becomes do you want to take that chance. This same discussion went on last year as well.
I haven't read the whole thread yet but someone last year was going to scan a handwritten address then print it onto the envelopes. I never heard if they got away with it. But it would definitely be against the rules.
Edit - looking at the odds for the $5 BBB, I don't know if I'm going to do it this year. I did last year and got a $150 computer case, a PS2 (yes I know video game systems were against the rules but they couldn't fill my order and gave me a gift certificate to replace the bbb), and a Creative Zen that was on sale which I ebayed for a nice profit.
Dave_13
9-25-2006, 10:46 AM
I have a question- I was reading the official rules on the actual gameboard from Mcdonalds. It states that Best Buy bucks will be on premium chicken sandwiches and chicken selects. This puts a damper on things, as it has usually been on Lrg fries as well... Am I just reading this wrong? Also, with the SASE, will they still send a best buy buck?
cindyhartsell
9-25-2006, 1:33 PM
If you send off for one, it looks like they will send you one game piece and one chance piece. If you buy the food to get the pieces, it does look like you have to buy the chicken products to get a chance piece. I am not as experienced at this as others, but that is my interpretation.
I have a question- I was reading the official rules on the actual gameboard from Mcdonalds. It states that Best Buy bucks will be on premium chicken sandwiches and chicken selects. This puts a damper on things, as it has usually been on Lrg fries as well... Am I just reading this wrong? Also, with the SASE, will they still send a best buy buck?
From the official rules (off their website):
In Restaurant. Get a Game Piece (consisting of two MONOPOLY® Game Stamps [each a "Game Stamp"]) and/or a Chance Piece (consisting of two MONOPOLY® Game Stamps plus one Chance Piece) by visiting a participating McDonald's restaurant and purchasing one of the specially marked food items. One (1) Game Piece is attached to specially marked Large French Fry Cartons, Medium and Large Drink Cups, Hash Brown Bags and, in select markets, Southern Style Chicken Sandwich Boxes. One (1) Chance Piece is attached to specially marked Crispy Premium Chicken Sandwich Boxes, Grilled Premium Chicken Sandwich Boxes, 3-piece Chicken Selects® Boxes, and 5-piece Chicken Selects® Boxes at participating restaurants in the United States
It looks like you only get BB bucks if you buy chicken...
I am also wondering about the SASE game piece. It looks like you will only get the 2 monopoly game stamps - but I dunno...
NeepNeep
9-25-2006, 4:01 PM
It looks like you only get BB bucks if you buy chicken...
I am also wondering about the SASE game piece. It looks like you will only get the 2 monopoly game stamps - but I dunno...
b. Without Purchase ...One (1) Game Piece and one (1) Chance Piece will be mailed in response to each request, while supplies last.
jediliz
9-26-2006, 11:34 AM
I don't mind McDonalds once in awhile so I'll bribe my dad to take me there next week and I'll get chicken selects only. I can send away for more Best Buy bucks (I did last year and got a few). I used a few to get a few $ off of a DVD I was buying (I think it was a DVD).
I have to buy stamps soon anyway......but two stamps (one to mail, one for the SASE) yikes.........can't do too many.
MarkRaby
9-26-2006, 1:05 PM
I have a question- I was reading the official rules on the actual gameboard from Mcdonalds. It states that Best Buy bucks will be on premium chicken sandwiches and chicken selects. This puts a damper on things, as it has usually been on Lrg fries as well... Am I just reading this wrong? Also, with the SASE, will they still send a best buy buck?
Yeah; that's a bit disappointing. If I recall correctly, in 2003, the first year they had the Best Buy pieces, they were only on the large fries. Then in 2004, they were on large fries and chicken strips. In 2005, they were on large fries and premium chicken sandwiches. And this year, they got rid of the fries option and are just really trying to promote their chicken by offering the BB Bucks only on chicken sandwiches and chicken strips. This makes it impossible to get two BB Bucks with one value meal, as has been possible in the past two years.
I was in a boring class all day (and will be tomorrow, too) so I am handwriting on labels, that I can affix to envelopes when I get home... I'm on a roll... although my coworkers think I am crazy!
So, with no BB bucks available through mail requests, does it still make sense to send in for game pieces?
So, with no BB bucks available through mail requests, does it still make sense to send in for game pieces?
I think that you get a game piece and a chance piece with the SASE. The chance piece would be the BB Bucks. (If I read the official rules correctly.)
I could be wrong.
NeepNeep
9-27-2006, 1:05 AM
I think that you get a game piece and a chance piece with the SASE. The chance piece would be the BB Bucks. (If I read the official rules correctly.)
I could be wrong.
Yes, the chance piece contains the BB Bucks.
4. c. Guaranteed Win. Each Chance Piece offers participants the chance to collect Best Buy Bucks in $5 and predominantly $1 denominations, which can be used toward the purchase of Best Buy merchandise online at BestBuy.com® and at participating Best Buy retail locations. Best Buy Bucks are subject to verification and the participant's compliance with these Official Rules. Restrictions apply. See Rule 6(e) for Best Buy Bucks Terms and Conditions.
So, with no BB bucks available through mail requests, does it still make sense to send in for game pieces?
With each request, you will get one game piece and one chance piece. The game piece is 2 monopoly stickers, and the chance piece is 2 stickers and a bbb. So with each request, you get 4 Monopoly pieces and 1 BBB - just like last year.
Target has the number 6 3/4 envelopes (good for your inside envelope) $.94 for a box of 100. That is cheaper than the office depot or staples prices on the size 6 envelopes.
With each request, you will get one game piece and one chance piece. The game piece is 2 monopoly stickers, and the chance piece is 2 stickers and a bbb. So with each request, you get 4 Monopoly pieces and 4 BBB - just like last year.
Ok - so the game pieces are a property, and the chance is ... what 2 what kind of stickers, and a BBB
4 Monopoly pieces and 4 BBB per each request? WHAT? Sorry, that doesn't make sense to me at all. That's not what I remember hearing last year when GD people did this. I am confused..
4 Monopoly pieces and 4 BBB per each request? WHAT? Sorry, that doesn't make sense to me at all. That's not what I remember hearing last year when GD people did this. I am confused..
Sorry - mistyped - 4 monopoly pieces, and 1 bbb.
Ok - so the game pieces are a property, and the chance is ... what 2 what kind of stickers, and a BBB
The 2 game pieces are not necessarily a property - they are game pieces, so they can be a collect and win property, a food prize, or an instant win prize. They are the same kind of pieces on the chance piece and the game piece - the difference is that the chance piece also has a BBB attached.
Okay folks, here is the OP to a thread I started on a different board. I have updated it many times to answer the questions being asked on that board, so hopefully it will answer any questions you may have.
Link to the Game (http://monopoly.promotions.com/monopoly06/front.do)
Official Rules Link (http://mcdstaging.promotions.com/monopoly06/rules.do?page=rules.html)
For those of you who don't want to read all the rules, here is where you send your SASE:
MONOPOLY® 2006 Game at McDonald's,
Game Piece Request,
P.O. Box 49434,
Strongsville, OH 44149
From the rules:
Each request must be mailed in a separate outer envelope. Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes, that are photocopied, mechanically reproduced or not mailed in separate outer envelopes will NOT be honored. The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored. One (1) Game Piece and one (1) Chance Piece will be mailed in response to each request, while supplies last. Mail-in requests must be postmarked no later than October 30, 2006, and received no later than November 6, 2006. If the Game runs long in restaurants, these dates are subject to a corresponding extension.
How to mail your requests (I know this sounds rudimentary, but people keep asking):
-Outside envelope should have your return address in the upper left hand corner, and the McDonald's address (listed above) in the center. It should have postage in the amount of $.39 in the upper right hand corner.
-Inside envelope simply needs to have your name and address in the center, and postage in the amount of $.39 in the upper right hand corner (unless you are one of those lucky ducks from VT, in which case, you do not need postage on the inner envelope), and should remain unsealed. You do not need to include anything besides the envelope.
-A note on Envelope sizes: The easiest way to do this is to use number 10 envelopes for the outside, and either number 9 or number 6 envelopes on the inside (both of which will fit without having to be folded). You can usually get size 10 envelopes for about $5 per box of 500 (since they are the most common size, they are the cheapest). The number 9 or number 6 are usually about $10 to $15 for 500, but you may find them on sale for about the same as the size 10's. Edit: I found the number 6's at Target $.96 for a box of 100 - making them even cheaper than the size 10s at OD and Staples.
What you get back from McDonalds
-Your SASE will come back to you with one game piece, and one chance piece. The game piece has 2 monopoly pieces only. Those pieces can be either an instant win of food or other prizes, or a monoply game board piece to collect and win. There are also codes on these pieces which can be used in the online game. The chance piece is the one we all want - it has a BBB (in either a $1 or $5 denomination) and two of the above mentioned monopoly pieces. So, in each envelope, you will receive a total of 4 game pieces, and 1 BBB which can be either $1 or $5.
-Make sure you play the online game. If you play enough, you will at least win the small prizes like free ringtones and free pictures from snapfish.
The Math or What you get out of doing this.
-Costs: 2 x $.39 stamps= $.78 + about $.03 for inner and outer envelope = $.81 per entry
-Return: If all goes well, you should get back about an average of $1.32 in BBB per entry. You will also get lots of free food winnings, and a chance at winning a prize.
Differences from last year:
1. Last year, most people didn't put their return address on the outer envelope to save writing time. This year, the rules specifically state that the return address on the outer envelope must match the address on the SASE. So, I guess that means you have to have a return address on the outer envelope.
2. Instead of having 1 out of 3 be a $3 BBB (Best Buy Buck), 1 out of 12 will be a $5 BBB, and the rest will be $1. That means that the profits are a bit reduced this year. With no double dipping, the estimates on the board are that you will have around 42% profit. And this year, the rules very specifically state no double dipping.
3. You can only redeem $200 BBB per purchase, as opposed to last year's $300.
4. Ipods are not on the BBB excluded list like last year, so that is one thing that you might be able to get and sell on ebay to cover your postage costs, as they tend to get close to the retail price.
5. There are about half as many BBB pieces available this year. The BBB will not be on the fries like last year, so that may cut down on how fast they go, but the general consensus is get your entries in early.
BBB Restrictions:
If you are doing this to get a specific item, make sure you check this list to see that your item is not one of the items that they won't take BBB on. Also, keep in mind the restriction of only $3 per movie or cd. From the Official Rules:
Cannot be used toward purchase of certain products and services, including but not limited to, Best Buy Gift Cards, video game hardware, Bose® audio products, DIRECTV service, satellite radio service, Cinema Systems, pay-as-you-go phone cards, Digital SLR cameras, High Definition camcorders, HP ink and paper, taxes, state fees, installation fees, delivery fees, third-party purchases, special order items, Performance Service Plans, Product Replacement Plans, and Magnolia Home Theater products, Bose®, SpeakerCraft, Sonos, Tivoli Audio, MartinLogan and Vienna Acoustics. Quantity limits may apply.
KBsDarling
9-28-2006, 8:35 AM
ok now i am the clueless one again...
Double Dipping?
ok now i am the clueless one again...
Double Dipping?
Sorry - that's the term on the other board given to the practice last year of using the BBB online, and then again in the store. You were able to do this because there was a unique code on each BBB that could be used online, but the barcode on the coupon that they scanned in the stores were not unique. So, since you didn't have to turn in your BBB online, you could use the code once online, then once in the store when you turned it in. There was debate last year as to whether this was prohibited or not. The rules specifically state this year that you can only use the BBB once online OR in store. So, we don't know if the process will be the same this year - they may have put something in place to prevent the practice. We won't know until we see the BBB. However, since you are supposed to present ID and they will write down your name and address when using the BBB in store, there is a chance that they will be tracking it. They could conceivably run the numbers on the BBB that are used in store against a list of the numbers used online. I don't recommend it - it is against the rules of the offer, and there is speculation that they may crack down on it this year.
misshayley
9-28-2006, 11:51 AM
So is there any place on the envelopes that doesn't have to be hand written? If not I'll hand write everything. Thanks
janeey
9-28-2006, 12:25 PM
So is there any place on the envelopes that doesn't have to be hand written? If not I'll hand write everything. Thanks
On the other board, a lot of people say that it is okay to print the outers and just handwrite the inners. However, I'm a bit leary of that. To be safe, I am handwriting both. The only exception is that I think you should be fine with using a label for your return address on the outer envelope. At the very least, you can omit your name and just write your address in the upper left of the outer envelope. Hope this helps!
loved1
9-28-2006, 12:47 PM
I REALLY DONT GET THE CRAZE... as i said before i tossed them out...i thought noone ever wins.. and the bb bucks ,dont you have to use one per purchase or something...
You can use up to $200 BB Bucks per day. You can get phenomenal deals w/ sale items & on Black Friday.
I'd like a digital camcorder, which is not necessarily a high definition camcorder. Hopefully, they will work for one.
RESTRICTIONS
Cannot be used toward purchase of certain products and services, including but not limited to, Best Buy Gift Cards, video game hardware, Bose® audio products, DIRECTV service, satellite radio service, Cinema Systems, pay-as-you-go phone cards, Digital SLR cameras, High Definition camcorders, HP ink and paper, taxes, state fees, installation fees, delivery fees, third-party purchases, special order items, Performance Service Plans, Product Replacement Plans, and Magnolia Home Theater products, Bose®, SpeakerCraft, Sonos, Tivoli Audio, MartinLogan and Vienna Acoustics.
FOOD PRIZES
# Food Prizes: Medium French Fries ($1.11), any Large Beef Sandwich ($2.05), any Breakfast Medium Extra Value Meal® ($3.51), Small McFlurry® ($2.10), Small Soft Drink or Small Coffee ($1.00), and any Breakfast Sandwich ($2.02). Retail values of McDonald's Food Prizes (each, a "Food Prize") are based upon national average price points as of April 27, 2006. The odds of winning a McDonald's Food Prize over the course of the Game are approximately 1 in 7.2. Odds may be higher or lower for specific Food Prizes and change as the Game progresses and prizes are awarded.
Frieked
9-28-2006, 1:06 PM
You can use up to $200 BB Bucks per day. You can get phenomenal deals w/ sale items & on Black Friday.
Oh I would love to be the guy behind you in line on black friday as the cashier has to sit there and count out $200 worth of best buy bux.
:eyepoppin
Oh I would love to be the guy behind you in line on black friday as the cashier has to sit there and count out $200 worth of best buy bux.
:eyepoppin
I did that last year when the limit was $300! The folks directly behind me thought it was funny - they asked if I ate that much McDonalds! Then I told them about how I got them, and they were very interested. However, the folks behind them.... well, let's just say they were not so amused. :razz:
BTW - a warning about using them on BF - it is YMMV. I have done it with no problems at all, but some people have reported that the manager at their store told them that BF deals were considered another "offer" and would not let them use them. It just depends on your local BB. If they don't usually give you any hassle with coupons, you'll probably be okay. But if you have one of the ones where you have to argue to use every coupon, or get any offers, you probably won't be able to use it.
BTW - a warning about using them on BF - it is YMMV. I have done it with no problems at all, but some people have reported that the manager at their store told them that BF deals were considered another "offer" and would not let them use them. It just depends on your local BB. If they don't usually give you any hassle with coupons, you'll probably be okay. But if you have one of the ones where you have to argue to use every coupon, or get any offers, you probably won't be able to use it.
Thanks Janeey: It may be worth clarifying this issue w/ BB corp. headquarters now. I would HATE to spend the time getting out of bed before the break of dawn, waiting in line, pushing & shoving through crowds to have the cashier tell me the store does not accept them on BF. BB is not a franchise so they should have a uniform policy. It doesn't make sense for the manager not to take them on BF because the rules don't restrict their use to regular priced items, so presumably they can be used on sale items, of which, BF is just a big sale.
As a sidenote, my local grocery store had a promotion where you could mail in 5 envelopes a day for free food coupons. I had a ton of them. Many times the store would not have the item & I'd have to substitute or the register would not scan the UPC. I was having a terrible time w/ cashiers. 1 was particularly rude cashier told me I had to find a store w/ the exact item & would not permit a substitution. I called customer service at corp. headquarters & they called the store mgr. to inform him of the policy. After that, I let every mgr. & cashier that gave me a hard time know that I had spoken directly w/ this person at corp. & that I knew the policy & I was entitled to a substitution.
That was a long winded way of saying that hopefully Best Buy is as responsive to their customers & that corp. will make sure that the mgrs. & customers know the policy whatever it is. Some people, (like myself) wait all year for Black Friday.
I think that is a good idea loved1, but I would wait until the promotion actually starts - the corporate office may not be fully briefed yet on this year's promotion. I will try calling then to clarify. BTW this is and excerpt from 6.e.iii of the official rules regarding BBB:
Cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Not valid on prior purchases or as payment on your Best Buy credit card. Not good in combination with any other coupons or offers. Valid on in-stock items only. No rainchecks. No dealers. No resale or auction of Best Buy Bucks permitted. No copies accepted.
I think that should mean that it only applies to coupons, but a manager might disagree. Someone on another board explained that BB managers get bonuses based upon the amount over cost that they sell items. They don't like for coupons (and BBB act like coupons) to eat into that amount, so, they try to find excuses to turn them down. I don't know if that is true - and like I said, I've never had a problem with my local BB, but I have heard/read plenty of complaints from others.
stationchief
9-28-2006, 5:05 PM
So, let's just clarify this. The outer envelope can be a hand-written or printed/labeled delivery address to McD's with your return address, and the inner envelope must be hand-written and have your address which must be the same address as the previous return address.
Correct?
So, let's just clarify this. The outer envelope can be a hand-written or printed/labeled delivery address to McD's with your return address, and the inner envelope must be hand-written and have your address which must be the same address as the previous return address.
Correct?
I can't say for sure. It seems to me that the whole thing (with the possible exception of the return address on the outside envelope) should be handwritten. However, many many people on the other board that I frequent say that they have printed all their outer envelopes in the past and always gotten them back. I have not done that - I've always handwritten all of mine - so I cannot recommend it. However, if you do decide to print the outers, I would at the very least take the precaution of using a font that looks like handwriting, or else scanning in a copy of a handwritten entry and then printing that. However, I do not want to be responsible for anyone's rejected entries, so again I will say, you are 100% safe if you handwrite everything. You just have to decide how much risk you are willing to take on the printing. If you want to read the opinions on the other board, pm me and I will give you a link so you can see what they say over there (there are already over 680 posts over there to read through).
stationchief
9-28-2006, 5:40 PM
I went thru the specific way the rules mentioned what can be printed and what needs to be written. That seems to be a legitimate way to go about it according to the rules. Has anyone tried it in that way in the past and got rejected?
On another subject, the cost of postage seems to be the most expensive factor here. Has anyone looked into other means to save money on this other than just goin' to your local post office to buy 39-cent stamps full price? Maybe some other places, like packing and shipping stores, offer bulk discounts.
Has anyone tried something like this: Stamps.Com (http://stamps.com/)? Apparantly it allows 'ya to print stamps from your computer, however I went through the description and I can't figure out specifically what they offer. Can you print all your 39-cent stanps using this? And they have a free 1-month trial long as you cancel before the time's up.
stationchief
9-28-2006, 6:53 PM
Just so everyone knows, eBay seems to be a good place to buy postage stamps a lil' cheaper than full price. Also, in my search, I found a few other interesting McD's monopoly game-related eBay things that've already showed up. A few people are offering their services to do the mass-mailing for tickets for you for a price (or a bid). There was someone else that is even tryin' to sell his winning ticket stratedgy (you pay him and he'll email his 'guaranteed' stratedgy to you). I can understand offering the service for mailing for tickets, but the other one? Oh, brother! :rolleyes:
Just so everyone knows, eBay seems to be a good place to buy postage stamps a lil' cheaper than full price. Also, in my search, I found a few other interesting McD's monopoly game-related eBay things that've already showed up. A few people are offering their services to do the mass-mailing for tickets for you for a price (or a bid). There was someone else that is even tryin' to sell his winning ticket stratedgy (you pay him and he'll email his 'guaranteed' stratedgy to you). I can understand offering the service for mailing for tickets, but the other one? Oh, brother! :rolleyes:
LOL! Here's the stategy - mail in 10 million requests - it will make your odds much better! :yup:
Has anyone tried something like this: Stamps.Com (http://stamps.com/)? Apparantly it allows 'ya to print stamps from your computer, however I went through the description and I can't figure out specifically what they offer. Can you print all your 39-cent stanps using this? And they have a free 1-month trial long as you cancel before the time's up.
Some folks on the other board have done this and been successful. Just make sure you remember to cancel before your trial is up or they will charge your card for the monthly fee the next month. Also, I think someone mentioned that you get $5.00 free postage with your trial? You might want to check that out.
I bought my postage on ebay for about a 10% discount.
You can do some of the discount postage places - but you don't know what kind of stamps you will get - you will get old stamps, so you may have to stick 2 or 3 stamps on each envelope - such as a $.29 stamp and 2 $.05 stamps, and most of them will be the licking kind. That would be really time consuming. I think ebay is the best value.
KBsDarling
9-28-2006, 7:49 PM
ok next set of questions....
If you use stamps.com and print the postage...Isnt that mechanically done? Will it void the entry?
And someone explain postage stamps on ebay PLEASE. Ok I understand people buying them for under retail BUT how the heck do people sell them below retail make $$?
NeepNeep
9-28-2006, 8:42 PM
From section 3b of the 2006 rules:
"The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored"
I went to buy stamps earlier today and was speaking to the Postmaster. He was curious as to why I was getting so many stamps (this is a rural PO with no commercial business other than eBay sellers), and I explained the BBB promotion. In conversation I mentioned the above new rule, and asked what would be the purpose of have a return address on a SASE that was the same as the SASE address. His opinion as to why this rule was added:
There are some states where it is against state law to require the sender to afix postage on a self addressed envelope. Using Vermont, as an example, in promotions where you are required to send a SASE, seems 'non-residents' of Vermont were getting around the 'return postage for Vermont residents not needed' rule by addressing the self addressed envelope (SAE) to a non-deliverable Vermont address, and then putting their 'real' address as the return address. Companies sponsoring the promotion would meter postage on the envelope, and when the envelopes couldn't be delivered as addressed, the PO stamped them 'address unknown, return to sender', thus returning them to the return address on the envelope with no additional postage due. Pretty slick. I'd have never thought of it.
I'm not going to risk rejection by not having a return address, so I'm playing it safe and putting my return address on both the outer envelope and the SASE. I'm hand printing both my envelopes, as well.
ok next set of questions....
If you use stamps.com and print the postage...Isnt that mechanically done? Will it void the entry?
And someone explain postage stamps on ebay PLEASE. Ok I understand people buying them for under retail BUT how the heck do people sell them below retail make $$?
You can buy small denomination stamps pretty cheap in bulk - might cost $7 for every $10 worth of stamps. But the reason they are cheap is no one wants a boatload of stamps in denominations from 3c to 20c.
Starting to get excited! Bought my stamps today!!! 50 Envelopes ready to mail (each having a SASE inside)! Might do more over the weekend. This will be my first year participating in the McDonald's game. As much as I'm looking forward to the best buy bucks I'm also looking forward to the free food and the game pieces! I don't eat a lot of McD's (doesn't go well with Atkins Diet) but my hubby and my parents and my parents friends do!!! They'll be thrilled to have the instant food prizes! Hubby can pick up sandwiches on his way to work.
Oh, a question....
Is it a limit of 1 instant food prize per order? I mean, if you have a piece for a free sandwich and another one for free fries...can you use them both at once? I know when I've had regular coupons in the past they've made me do separate orders for each item. Anyone have any experience with the Monopoly Instant Win Food Prizes?
Thanks!
Michelle
motoXmom
9-29-2006, 4:45 AM
Michelle I think they would have you do two separate orders. But it may be YMMV kind of thing. Sorry, I know that's not a definitive answer.
I've decided to not participate in this years McD M game, just not enough time with school, work, and side projects. GL to those that will do it. Make sure to stick it to BB on BF. :D
Is it a limit of 1 instant food prize per order? I mean, if you have a piece for a free sandwich and another one for free fries...can you use them both at once? I know when I've had regular coupons in the past they've made me do separate orders for each item. Anyone have any experience with the Monopoly Instant Win Food Prizes?
You are only allowed to use one per order. I had lots and lots of them last year, and no matter where I went, they only let me use one per order. It made it hard to use them all - I ended up giving a whole lot of them away, and many went unused...
rogue1230
9-29-2006, 7:32 AM
Yes. Thanks to the Best Buy Bucks, which guarantee you at least a $1 Best Buy "gift card", last year, for about $520, I ended up with over $1,200 in Best Buy "money", which I used both in-store and online, taking my total to $2,400. I also won over a dozen iTunes downloads, a bunch of ringtones, etc. In 2004, I netted around $600 in Best Buy Bucks, plus hundreds of small "virtual" prizes (song downloads, etc). And in 2003, I got $174 Best Buy Bucks, a $50 Best Buy gift card, and a $50 cash prize. Also, of course, my breakfast, lunch, and dinner were always paid for, thanks to the hundreds upon hundreds of free food prizes I won.
SHUT UP?!?!?!?:shock: how much food did you eat, or did you send away for the game peices???? In true gomer pyle fashion I gatta say "GAALLLLLY!"
KBsDarling
9-29-2006, 8:26 AM
where does one buy stamps in bulk in old denominations?
Sorry i keep asking about this I just had no clue this was even in exsistence LOL
where does one buy stamps in bulk in old denominations?
Sorry i keep asking about this I just had no clue this was even in exsistence LOL
http://www.hgitner.com/postage.html
But just to let you know - someone on the other board bought from this site, and she said that she has to stick between 2 and 4 stamps on each envelope to get to 39 cents, and they are all the lick and stick kind! She says it's neat having all the old stamps, and she would like using it for her personal correspondence since it looks cool on the envelope, but it is really tedious for this promotion. I would recommend bidding for 39 cent stamps on ebay - you can get the self adhesive kind for about an 8-10% discount.
KBsDarling
9-29-2006, 9:02 AM
i guess i was a ninny and just bought from the post office LOL
Still amazed that they have this...Always figured old stamps got destroyed like old money
hpowers
9-29-2006, 9:08 AM
Starting to get excited! Bought my stamps today!!! 50 Envelopes ready to mail (each having a SASE inside)! Might do more over the weekend. This will be my first year participating in the McDonald's game. As much as I'm looking forward to the best buy bucks I'm also looking forward to the free food and the game pieces! I don't eat a lot of McD's (doesn't go well with Atkins Diet) but my hubby and my parents and my parents friends do!!! They'll be thrilled to have the instant food prizes! Hubby can pick up sandwiches on his way to work.
Oh, a question....
Is it a limit of 1 instant food prize per order? I mean, if you have a piece for a free sandwich and another one for free fries...can you use them both at once? I know when I've had regular coupons in the past they've made me do separate orders for each item. Anyone have any experience with the Monopoly Instant Win Food Prizes?
Thanks!
Michelle
I only seemed to win ones for small fries and small drinks.
Costco sells stamps at a slight discount as well. Not worth the trip, but if you are there anyways...
janeey
9-29-2006, 10:43 AM
i guess i was a ninny and just bought from the post office LOL
Still amazed that they have this...Always figured old stamps got destroyed like old money
If they destroyed stamps, the Post Office would have to take back the old ones and exchange them in equal value for new ones. The Post Office doesn't take stamps back (which is part of why you see so many of them being sold on ebay). Also, stamps are a one time use item, unlike money. And since they are so low in value, it doesn't make economic sense to go to the expense of buying them back and destroying them.
Basically, these old stamps mostly come from old collections. When a stamp dealer buys an entire collection of stamps (like at a garage or estate sale), there will be a lot of stamps that are pretty much worthless as collectibles. So, they take out that stuff and sell it in wholesale lots to dealers like the website above, who then turn around and sell it as postage, since postage doesn't expire. If you really wanted to save, you could cut out the middle man and find a local stamp dealer who will sell you old postage directly. But again, that seems like a whole lot of work to save a very little bit of money. (Unless of course, you just really like the taste of the glue on the back of 20 year old stamps.)
stationchief
9-29-2006, 1:10 PM
Starting to get excited! Bought my stamps today!!! 50 Envelopes ready to mail (each having a SASE inside)! Might do more over the weekend. This will be my first year participating in the McDonald's game. As much as I'm looking forward to the best buy bucks I'm also looking forward to the free food and the game pieces! I don't eat a lot of McD's (doesn't go well with Atkins Diet) but my hubby and my parents and my parents friends do!!! They'll be thrilled to have the instant food prizes! Hubby can pick up sandwiches on his way to work.
This'll be my first time takin' part in this as well. Gonna be a big BF day for the wife and I this year! :D Far as all the free food that's expected, my poor tummy can't handle McGreasy anymore, and the wife is sick of havin' it every other day at work by now. Most likely gonna be used as presents for friends and such.
Is it a limit of 1 instant food prize per order? I mean, if you have a piece for a free sandwich and another one for free fries...can you use them both at once? I know when I've had regular coupons in the past they've made me do separate orders for each item. Anyone have any experience with the Monopoly Instant Win Food Prizes?
Guess it all depends on the management. Sometimes they may let'cha get away wit it, but they may stick 'ya to the 'one-coupon-per-visit' rule. If they didn't, conceivably 'ya could cash in all the free food tickets at once and get away with enough food to feed a good-sized army. :eek: But don't worry, there's also those free value meal tickets 'ya can win for complete meals.
KBsDarling
9-29-2006, 1:18 PM
Dh goes to Mcd on the way to work to get a sandwich and pop and then stops on the way home for a shake/icecream/etc depending on his mood. I am starting to think that bestbuybuck or not this little venture should save me about 10-15$ a week if i get enough food stamps LMAO
Dh goes to Mcd on the way to work to get a sandwich and pop and then stops on the way home for a shake/icecream/etc depending on his mood. I am starting to think that bestbuybuck or not this little venture should save me about 10-15$ a week if i get enough food stamps LMAO
Absolutely! Heck - if you have something else to offer in trade - I bet many GD'ers would send you more!
stationchief
9-29-2006, 2:19 PM
Just wonderin' if people think we're gonna start seein' these free food/meal tickets sold on eBay soon after the game starts. :shock:
Frieked
9-29-2006, 2:39 PM
Just wonderin' if people think we're gonna start seein' these free food/meal tickets sold on eBay soon after the game starts. :shock:
What isn't on ebay these days?
bauerdude2001
9-29-2006, 3:01 PM
I know Ebay was strict about what pieces you put on. It says in the rules this year that you cannot auction off any pieces. SO I wonder if Ebay is going to be really strict this year or not.
misshayley
9-29-2006, 3:12 PM
When is everyone mailing their envelopes? I live in Ohio and I'm thinking I will mail them on Tuesday. (At the risk of sounding stupid, this is the first time I've done this and I don't want to have any problems, all I have to do is mail the SASE to them, that's all that I have to have in the envelope correct?)
When is everyone mailing their envelopes? I live in Ohio and I'm thinking I will mail them on Tuesday. (At the risk of sounding stupid, this is the first time I've done this and I don't want to have any problems, all I have to do is mail the SASE to them, that's all that I have to have in the envelope correct?)
Yes, an SASE is all you need. And I think the safest thing to do is to wait until the 3rd to mail them.
I know Ebay was strict about what pieces you put on. It says in the rules this year that you cannot auction off any pieces. SO I wonder if Ebay is going to be really strict this year or not.
The best way to get around that is one day auctions - they have less time to find them and take them down.
When is everyone mailing their envelopes? I live in Ohio and I'm thinking I will mail them on Tuesday. (At the risk of sounding stupid, this is the first time I've done this and I don't want to have any problems, all I have to do is mail the SASE to them, that's all that I have to have in the envelope correct?)
On most every page of this thread is details on what exactly needs to be done. Just a self addressed stamped envelope inside of another envelope. That outside envelope is of course addressed to them. So it'll take two stamps per request of course.
I am not going to begin mailing mine until the 3rd as well. :)
bauerdude2001
9-29-2006, 4:11 PM
Hey just a quick question.
Do you have to hand write the Inner Envelope or can you print them off or use lables.
Thanx
stationchief
9-29-2006, 4:45 PM
Hey just a quick question.
Do you have to hand write the Inner Envelope or can you print them off or use lables.
Thanx
According to the specific way the rules worded the answer to that question:
Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes, that are photocopied, mechanically reproduced or not mailed in separate outer envelopes will NOT be honored.
In other words, using a printer to print on the inner 'request' envelopes or using printed labels on then could constitute them being mechanically reproduced. They're bein' real sticky about these things this year. To be on the safe side, I'd write the inner envelopes at least.
stationchief
9-29-2006, 4:57 PM
Well, I went to my local Phoenix, AZ McD's today expecting to pick up a game board (and also a vanilla shake). To my surprise, there was nothing about the monopoly game coming up next week. Not even a poster warning people about it coming soon. :eek:
The new monopoly game isn't specific to certain states in the US or void in others, is it? Or am I just being paranoid and should just wait 'till the 3rd?
Well, I went to my local Phoenix, AZ McD's today expecting to pick up a game board (and also a vanilla shake). To my surprise, there was nothing about the monopoly game coming up next week. Not even a poster warning people about it coming soon. :eek:
The new monopoly game isn't specific to certain states in the US or void in others, is it? Or am I just being paranoid and should just wait 'till the 3rd?
Don't worry - it will be everywhere. You just won't see it until Tuesday.
bauerdude2001
9-29-2006, 5:12 PM
How strict do you think they will be on this. I use a label for the outter envelop for my return address.....I did it last yer just wondering if I should do it again or just hand write my return address on the outter envelope.
How strict do you think they will be on this. I use a label for the outter envelop for my return address.....I did it last yer just wondering if I should do it again or just hand write my return address on the outter envelope.
I think you are fine using a label for the return address on the OUTER envelope only. I'm handwriting everything else.
Buckarooblues
9-30-2006, 3:20 PM
Without Purchase. To request a Game Piece without making a purchase at McDonald's, persons in the United States, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa may mail a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE) with sufficient postage and their return address (name, street address, city, state, country, and zip code) legibly printed thereon to: MONOPOLY® 2006 Game at McDonald's, Game Piece Request, P.O. Box 49434, Strongsville, OH 44149. Vermont residents with a return address located in Vermont may omit return postage. DO NOT SEND POTENTIAL WINNING GAME STAMPS, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO THIS ADDRESS. Each request must be mailed in a separate outer envelope. Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes, that are photocopied, mechanically reproduced or not mailed in separate outer envelopes will NOT be honored. The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored. One (1) Game Piece and one (1) Chance Piece will be mailed in response to each request, while supplies last. Mail-in requests must be postmarked no later than October 30, 2006, and received no later than November 6, 2006. If the Game runs long in restaurants, these dates are subject to a corresponding extension.
Well, I went to my local Phoenix, AZ McD's today expecting to pick up a game board (and also a vanilla shake). To my surprise, there was nothing about the monopoly game coming up next week. Not even a poster warning people about it coming soon. :eek:
The new monopoly game isn't specific to certain states in the US or void in others, is it? Or am I just being paranoid and should just wait 'till the 3rd?
I went to a McDonalds in my area, Southwest Florida, on Wed night and they were passing out the game board.
stationchief
9-30-2006, 4:16 PM
Without Purchase. To request a Game Piece without making a purchase at McDonald's, persons in the United States, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa may mail a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE) with sufficient postage and their return address (name, street address, city, state, country, and zip code) legibly printed thereon to: MONOPOLY® 2006 Game at McDonald's, Game Piece Request, P.O. Box 49434, Strongsville, OH 44149. Vermont residents with a return address located in Vermont may omit return postage. DO NOT SEND POTENTIAL WINNING GAME STAMPS, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO THIS ADDRESS. Each request must be mailed in a separate outer envelope. Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes, that are photocopied, mechanically reproduced or not mailed in separate outer envelopes will NOT be honored. The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored. One (1) Game Piece and one (1) Chance Piece will be mailed in response to each request, while supplies last. Mail-in requests must be postmarked no later than October 30, 2006, and received no later than November 6, 2006. If the Game runs long in restaurants, these dates are subject to a corresponding extension.
Already got that section of the rules saved on my 'puter and memorized, but thnx anyway. :D
stationchief
9-30-2006, 4:33 PM
Oooooooo-keydokey!
Got my first 100 set of envelopes ready to go. Size 10 for the outer, printed thru my printer using best quality and a good handwriting font downloaded off the net, and size 6 3/4 for the inner, printed best quality but different handwriting font as outer. Both stamped, outer envelope sealed, and ready to roll. :D I also noticed in the rules that my address needed to have the country, so to be on the safe side I included that as well.
I'm gonna wait 'till monday nite (9/2/06), drop 'em off at the local shipping company for the USPS mail the next morning (can't wait to explain this one :confused: ), and we'll see what happens. If the first hundred work, and I get my SASE envelopes with game pieces back in the next few weeks, I'm gonna send about 500 more the same way. If it does, I'll have to hope they don't run outta game pieces. As was mentioned earlier there'll be less BBB given out in-store (won't be on the fries this time), but it looks like alot more folks are goin' the mail-in route this year.
Everyone reveal how you're goin' about this. Maybe we can compare techniques. And hopefully we'll figure out what worked and what didn't.
mstacks
9-30-2006, 5:43 PM
Without Purchase. To request a Game Piece without making a purchase at McDonald's, persons in the United States, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa may mail a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE) with sufficient postage and their return address (name, street address, city, state, country, and zip code) legibly printed thereon to: MONOPOLY® 2006 Game at McDonald's, Game Piece Request, P.O. Box 49434, Strongsville, OH 44149. Vermont residents with a return address located in Vermont may omit return postage. DO NOT SEND POTENTIAL WINNING GAME STAMPS, COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS TO THIS ADDRESS. Each request must be mailed in a separate outer envelope. Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes, that are photocopied, mechanically reproduced or not mailed in separate outer envelopes will NOT be honored. The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored. One (1) Game Piece and one (1) Chance Piece will be mailed in response to each request, while supplies last. Mail-in requests must be postmarked no later than October 30, 2006, and received no later than November 6, 2006. If the Game runs long in restaurants, these dates are subject to a corresponding extension.
I just had a nasty thought when I re-read this. We live in the country and we don't get mail delivery here at the house. Our mailing address IS A POST OFFICE BOX. Yet the above rules says "street address". If I enter the street address it's very doubtful I'll get the mail!
Has anyone that's sent in on these had a PO BOX as their mailing address? And if so, did McD honor the request and send the game piece(s)?
confused mary :confused:
Okay, dumb question time, too: It also says ""Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes... will NOT be honored". I thought a plain 'ol #10 envelope WAS a "business reply envelope". What envelope are they talking about???
stationchief
9-30-2006, 6:06 PM
I just had a nasty thought when I re-read this. We live in the country and we don't get mail delivery here at the house. Our mailing address IS A POST OFFICE BOX. Yet the above rules says "street address". If I enter the street address it's very doubtful I'll get the mail!
Has anyone that's sent in on these had a PO BOX as their mailing address? And if so, did McD honor the request and send the game piece(s)?
confused mary :confused:
Good querry, there. Neither rules this year nor last year mentioned P.O. boxes in 'em, so I would think if they don't say specifically that it's void it should be ok. As long as it's alright with whomever is in charge where your box is at. Maybe someone who tried this last year can chime in.
Okay, dumb question time, too: It also says ""Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes... will NOT be honored". I thought a plain 'ol #10 envelope WAS a "business reply envelope". What envelope are they talking about???
'Business Reply Envelopes' are those envelopes business send 'ya to pay your bills with. Those have windows in 'em and are pre-stamped 'postage paid if mailed in the US'. A plain 'ol #10 envelope, or any other plain white envelope, is just fine.
stationchief
9-30-2006, 6:22 PM
Was doin' some thinkin' about all this, and ended up havin' a few unanswered questions myself:
Anyone know exactly how McD Corp is plannin' on handling all the mail-in requests? Like, are they hiring an outside agency to handle/open their mail and insert the game pieces? Reason why I ask is I'm wonderin' just how they're gonna be able to catch people printing envelopes and not hand-writing them and such. Seems to me that minimum-wage mail openers aren't gonna be that picky and most not following the rules so precisely should slip thru the cracks.
Second question is: What are your experiences from last year you'd like to share or warn us about this year? For example, what did some of 'ya do wrong that got your requests sent back? Or, if 'ya broke/bent one of the rules and your requests still got filled? Anyone try the mass mailing last year and completely failed, like all 100s-1000s of your requests got sent back?
bauerdude2001
9-30-2006, 7:43 PM
Was doin' some thinkin' about all this, and ended up havin' a few unanswered questions myself:
Anyone know exactly how McD Corp is plannin' on handling all the mail-in requests? Like, are they hiring an outside agency to handle/open their mail and insert the game pieces? Reason why I ask is I'm wonderin' just how they're gonna be able to catch people printing envelopes and not hand-writing them and such. Seems to me that minimum-wage mail openers aren't gonna be that picky and most not following the rules so precisely should slip thru the cracks.
Second question is: What are your experiences from last year you'd like to share or warn us about this year? For example, what did some of 'ya do wrong that got your requests sent back? Or, if 'ya broke/bent one of the rules and your requests still got filled? Anyone try the mass mailing last year and completely failed, like all 100s-1000s of your requests got sent back?
Well My friend called McDOnald's HQ last night and they said this year they are going to be really strict on the rules. The person mentioned it is not McDonalds doing all the work but another outside group will be doing it. So I guess the only way the rules will be inforced is if the Manger or Boss is going to be stric about the rules.
Lat year I sent over 500 out. They were all hand written and I got them all back. I even sent some on the last day they needed to be postmarked by and I recived all of them back.
Jrbabb10
9-30-2006, 9:51 PM
anyone know a cheap place for envelopes?
misshayley
9-30-2006, 10:10 PM
anyone know a cheap place for envelopes?
Dollar General or Family Dollar is where I got mine for $1 a box.
kboyts
9-30-2006, 10:39 PM
What I did was hand write one envelope, then scan it in high res, then use that image to print onto the envelopes so that they appear to be hand written. Anyone else try it this way before? any input on this approach?
kmbrly
9-30-2006, 11:41 PM
anyone know a cheap place for envelopes?
Walgreens has Mead envelopes #10 (4"x9.5") 99 cents for 50
and #6 3/4 (3 5/8"x6 1/2") 99 cents for 100
YMMV of course
alimfp
9-30-2006, 11:45 PM
What I did was hand write one envelope, then scan it in high res, then use that image to print onto the envelopes so that they appear to be hand written. Anyone else try it this way before? any input on this approach?
Personally, I wouldn't take the chance. That is mechanically reproduced, so they'd probably throw a majority of them out.
I ended up with over $1,200 in Best Buy "money", which I used both in-store and online, taking my total to $2,400..
Uhmm, wait... So you can double your bucks by using them online, and THEN taking them to the store??
Yes Mark, please elaborate on the online/in-store usage. ;) I remember you doing that last year.
8 envies down, 42 to go.. at least. I should recruit DH for envie addressing, since he'll be all over the BBB's when they begin arriving! ;)
Yes Mark, please elaborate on the online/in-store usage. ;) I remember you doing that last year.
8 envies down, 42 to go.. at least. I should recruit DH for envie addressing, since he'll be all over the BBB's when they begin arriving! ;)
I have 50 outter ones done. Working on 100 inner ones right now. Also have a box of 50 outter ones to do.
Still planning on at least 100 each to do after this round. :D (for starters)
I only have about 40 envies right now. I need to hit the dollar store tomorrow or Monday morning for 2-3 boxes more at least!
My mini goal is to send out 50, though I'd like to send out 100 or 150 during this month. I'm going to hit eBay and see if I can find postage for cheaper.. eeks!
stationchief
10-1-2006, 4:41 AM
Personally, I wouldn't take the chance. That is mechanically reproduced, so they'd probably throw a majority of them out.
The real question is: how will they be able to tell? Ink from a printer cartridge is about the same as ink fro a ballpoint pen. If he scans his own handwriting and prints it out in best quality, you probably can't tell the difference. Perhaps the only way would be gettin' a few side by side and copmparing them, noticing there's no difference between them. But if you're gettin' millions of requests in a months time, even that's gonna be tough.
P.S.: On a side note, one way to get around them being able to notice your requests are identical would be to scan several versions of your handwriting, like 10 or so, and mix-match it up a bit.
I believe a few people on another deal board tried something similar last year. Not a font, but their own handwriting copied over and over. At least two of them, if not more, rec'd less than half of what they sent away for, from what I recall.
I am just saying I wouldn't take the chance. And I have a problem with writing for awhile (hand cramps up). But I will still write out 25 envies a day to get to my goal. :)
motoXmom
10-1-2006, 6:47 AM
I believe a few people on another deal board tried something similar last year. Not a font, but their own handwriting copied over and over. At least two of them, if not more, rec'd less than half of what they sent away for, from what I recall.
I am just saying I wouldn't take the chance. And I have a problem with writing for awhile (hand cramps up). But I will still write out 25 envies a day to get to my goal. :)
I think I may join in this year but like you my hands can only handle so much. I've had surgery on both and now have a good amount of nerve damage in both hands. I can probably get through a couple at a time. Hmm looks like I'm getting DH in on this! lol
Thanks to ALL for the info. It helps alot :yup:
My dumb question is Can someone break down what you can actually use the BB for? I keep reading you can't use them for this and that or you can only use one for other things. It's so darn confusing! Any help? Thanks :o
Dont know if anyone posted this yet but here is the Mcdonalds online Monopoly game preview.
http://monopoly.promotions.com/monopoly06/rules.do?page=earlyflash.html
I've got 82 envelopes stuffed, sealed and ready to go...
janeey
10-1-2006, 10:06 AM
I think I may join in this year but like you my hands can only handle so much. I've had surgery on both and now have a good amount of nerve damage in both hands. I can probably get through a couple at a time. Hmm looks like I'm getting DH in on this! lol
Thanks to ALL for the info. It helps alot :yup:
My dumb question is Can someone break down what you can actually use the BB for? I keep reading you can't use them for this and that or you can only use one for other things. It's so darn confusing! Any help? Thanks :o
First, there is a $200 limit per purchase. That is, except for DVD's and CD's - the limit on that is $3 per purchase. So, you will not be able to get a bunch of free DVD's and CD's - only $3 off of them. Now, last year, some people got a hassle at the stores when they tried to buy some software games - the managers would tell them that it was considered a CD. However, this year, the rules specifically say "Limit of $3 in Best Buy Bucks may be used toward the purchase of any single CD or DVD or box set (limit does not apply to video games or computer software)." So if your manager gave you a hard time on video games or software last year, you may want to print the rules and take them with you.
As for the things that you cannot use BBB on at all, here is the list from the official rules:
Cannot be used toward purchase of certain products and services, including but not limited to, Best Buy Gift Cards, video game hardware, Bose® audio products, DIRECTV service, satellite radio service, Cinema Systems, pay-as-you-go phone cards, Digital SLR cameras, High Definition camcorders, HP ink and paper, taxes, state fees, installation fees, delivery fees, third-party purchases, special order items, Performance Service Plans, Product Replacement Plans, and Magnolia Home Theater products, Bose®, SpeakerCraft, Sonos, Tivoli Audio, MartinLogan and Vienna Acoustics. Quantity limits may apply.
stationchief
10-1-2006, 12:14 PM
Well, here's the word from BestBuy.com. Basically just a repeat of all the official rules already posted, but nice to see 'em acknowledge the game:
McDonalds Monopoly (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat72600050000&type=category)
duls89
10-2-2006, 12:04 AM
For those who did it last year, if you send your requests the first day, how soon will you get them back?
motoXmom
10-2-2006, 5:36 AM
Janeey Thank You for posting! I hate wording like "Cannot be used toward purchase of certain products and services, including but not limited to...". It leaves it too open ended. Maybe that's where the problems occur with the store managers. It makes me feel like unless they print rules like You may use your BBBs' on -then list what they Can be used on, instead of the "including but not limited to" stuff, I have to go to the store and ask about each item I pick up. Oh boy maybe I need more coffee! lol ;) Thanks again for the reply!
Janeey Thank You for posting! I hate wording like "Cannot be used toward purchase of certain products and services, including but not limited to...". It leaves it too open ended. Maybe that's where the problems occur with the store managers. It makes me feel like unless they print rules like You may use your BBBs' on -then list what they Can be used on, instead of the "including but not limited to" stuff, I have to go to the store and ask about each item I pick up. Oh boy maybe I need more coffee! lol ;) Thanks again for the reply!
You're right - it does leave them a nice loophole. However, people last year had success calling BB customer service right there in front of the manager. However, I know a lot of people (including me) wouldn't want to get into that kind of a confrontation. But remember, you can also use them online - then you bypass the issue of whether your local manager is nice or not. Look for deals with free shipping, or use in-store pick-up. Also, last year, people were able to use more than the $3 limit on some of the DVD's online (they were very strict in store). No idea if that will be fixed this year - but you can always experiment.
carheel
10-2-2006, 9:54 AM
has anyone sent there request off yet, i went to the post office this morning and dropped off 10 so far then i was thikning i should have waited till tommorow.
I've got my 50 ready to mail. I'll send them out tomorrow morning, and that will probably be all that I do. :)
Last year I sent out an additional 50 near the end of the game and got 35 of them returned to me because they ran out of game pieces. Then, a few days later, I started getting some, so it seems that they will not hold onto request if they know more pieces are coming in.
allystl
10-2-2006, 10:28 AM
I'm about 1/2 way through my 500 enelopes. My hand hurts and I hate my long address! I'm still trying to find all the stamps at discount prices. I'm hoping to send 100 first thing tomorrow though. Can't wait for BF!
stationchief
10-2-2006, 1:34 PM
Sent in my first 100 this mornin'. I'm gonna wait 'till I start to get these back, then if it works, send in about 400 more. :cheesy:
So, how long did you guys have to wait 'till you got yours last year? :confused:
I'm sending them all in tommorow (well, I might get a few more out later this week...) to allow for their fulfillment and return in time for me to possible cash in on the free food, and the online game entries.. not just the BBB.
I sent in 13 this morning and have 98 ready to go in tomorow. Get paid on thursday hopefully I can afford one more roll of stamps to send out another batch of 50 ASAP.
jarerice
10-2-2006, 2:13 PM
http://monopoly.promotions.com/monopoly06/front.do
For those of you who don't want to read all the rules, here is where you send your SASE:
MONOPOLY® 2006 Game at McDonald's,
Game Piece Request,
P.O. Box 49434,
Strongsville, OH 44149
From the rules:
Each request must be mailed in a separate outer envelope. Requests that are sent in business reply envelopes, that are photocopied, mechanically reproduced or not mailed in separate outer envelopes will NOT be honored. The return address and SASE mailing address must be the same address or the request will NOT be honored. One (1) Game Piece and one (1) Chance Piece will be mailed in response to each request, while supplies last. Mail-in requests must be postmarked no later than October 30, 2006, and received no later than November 6, 2006. If the Game runs long in restaurants, these dates are subject to a corresponding extension.
How to mail your requests (I know this sounds rudimentary, but people keep asking):
-Outside envelope should have your return address in the upper left hand corner, and the McDonald's address (listed above) in the center. It should have postage in the amount of $.39 in the upper right hand corner.
-Inside envelope simply needs to have your name and address in the center, and postage in the amount of $.39 in the upper right hand corner (unless you are one of those lucky ducks from VT, in which case, you do not need postage on the inner envelope), and should remain unsealed. You do not need to include anything besides the envelope.
-A note on Envelope sizes: The easiest way to do this is to use number 10 envelopes for the outside, and either number 9 or number 6 envelopes on the inside (both of which will fit without having to be folded). You can usually get size 10 envelopes for about $5 per box of 500 (since they are the most common size, they are the cheapest). The number 9 or number 6 are usually about $10 to $15 for 500, but you may find them on sale for about the same as the size 10's. Edit: I found the number 6's at Target $.96 for a box of 100 - making them even cheaper than the size 10s at OD and Staples.
A note on handwriting vs. printing your entries: The safest thing to do is to handwrite all your envelopes - then you know that you are within the rules. However, many people feel that it is okay to print the envelopes (esp. the outers), and many people did this last year and got their entries back. It is up to you to decide what level of risk you are willing to take. If you do decide to print, at the very least you should try to use a "handwriting" font. For more information, read the thread - this has been discussed at length. If you have a specific question, great - ask away! But if you are the 100th person to ask, "Can I print my envelopes?" the regulars may get a bit cranky.
What you get back from McDonalds
-Your SASE will come back to you with one game piece, and one chance piece. The game piece has 2 monopoly pieces only. Those pieces can be either an instant win of food or other prizes, or a monoply game board piece to collect and win. There are also codes on these pieces which can be used in the online game. The chance piece is the one we all want - it has a BBB (in either a $1 or $5 denomination) and two of the above mentioned monopoly pieces. So, in each envelope, you will receive a total of 4 game pieces, and 1 BBB which can be either $1 or $5.
-Make sure you play the online game. If you play enough, you will at least win the small prizes like free ringtones and free pictures from snapfish.
The Math or What you get out of doing this.
-Costs: 2 x $.39 stamps= $.78 + about $.03 for inner and outer envelope = $.81 per entry
-Return: If all goes well, you should get back about $1.32 in BBB. You can check Slick77's math here. You will also get lots of free food winnings, and a chance at winning a prize.
Differences from last year:
1. Last year, most people didn't put their return address on the outer envelope to save writing time. This year, the rules specifically state that the return address on the outer envelope must match the address on the SASE. So, I guess that means you have to have a return address on the outer envelope.
2. Instead of having 1 out of 3 be a $3 BBB (Best Buy Buck), 1 out of 12 will be a $5 BBB, and the rest will be $1. That means that the profits are a bit reduced this year. With no double dipping, the estimates on the board are that you will have around 42% profit. And this year, the rules very specifically state no double dipping.
3. You can only redeem $200 BBB per purchase, as opposed to last year's $300.
4. Ipods are not on the BBB excluded list like last year, so that is one thing that you might be able to get and sell on ebay to cover your postage costs, as they tend to get close to the retail price.
5. There are about half as many BBB pieces available this year. The BBB will not be on the fries like last year, so that may cut down on how fast they go, but the general consensus is get your entries in early.
BBB Restrictions:
If you are doing this to get a specific item, make sure you check this list to see that your item is not one of the items that they won't take BBB on. Also, keep in mind the restriction of only $3 per movie or cd. From the Official Rules:
Cannot be used toward purchase of certain products and services, including but not limited to, Best Buy Gift Cards, video game hardware, Bose® audio products, DIRECTV service, satellite radio service, Cinema Systems, pay-as-you-go phone cards, Digital SLR cameras, High Definition camcorders, HP ink and paper, taxes, state fees, installation fees, delivery fees, third-party purchases, special order items, Performance Service Plans, Product Replacement Plans, and Magnolia Home Theater products, Bose®, SpeakerCraft, Sonos, Tivoli Audio, MartinLogan and Vienna Acoustics. Quantity limits may apply.
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