Win a $25 Gift Voucher at VGD. Daily Drawing

[defender]

I am finally prepared to launch my new lottery drawing at VGD for a daily prize of a $25 Gift Voucher good toward a purchase at VGD.

CheapyD has OKed this topic.

Details:

1. You must have an account at VideoGameDeals.com
2. You must buy a ticket in the forums.
3. Ticket costs 10 points.
4. The drawing is daily sometime in the middle of the night.
5. The winner will be email a $25 Gift Voucher.
6. One winner per day.
7. The drawing will be every day for the next 2 weeks.
8. One entry per person per day. Anyone found tampering with this will be disqualified. I wont even tell the cheater...they just wont win. I have IPs logged for accounts.
9. It will only allow you to buy one ticket per day.
19. To enter every day you must buy a new ticket.

To get points to buy a ticket you only need 10 points. You get 1 point for a post and 2 points for starting a topic. Please try to make posts relevant and dont spam. The tickets are pretty cheap. Also you can gain points with the Lucky Dice game at the site.

Any Questions?

Also note I am trying to get CheapyD to install the same points system but he is reluctant. It would be nice to hear opinions about it..it might help sway CheapyDs mind. Keep in mind that a points system in the forums would allow for many extra features. Such as giveaways, drawings, and even RPG forum games based on the points. What are your thoughts?

[O-Dog]

Forgive me for asking, but if I am interpreting correctly, are you giving away $25/day?

If so, you must be getting some sweet margins at VGD.

[defender]

I am not getting sweet margins at VGD. Just take advantage of my stupidity.

And yes ..$25 a day. Advertising costs a LOT of money...this actually is a cheaper means of promotion that just paying for clicks at Google.

[wubb]

I imagine he has determined it is worth doing this to generate more interest in his site and more traffic on his message boards. That's simply a form of advertising.

[jkam]

I haven't yet ordered anything from VGD. Can I sign up for an account now and still be eligible to win?

[swetooth9]

is it starting today?

[defender]

The lottery is LIVE the first drawing will be tonight.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY...unless you win of course. :-)

Actually I have determined that the google food created from the extra posts is worth it. Traffic is important and creating traffic is what this is about. The more traffic you have the better your search engine rankings are as well. Why pay Google for an ad when I can get similar results giving you guys money. I prefer to give you guys the money in exchange for some traffic and google food.

You can be kind and start cool topics that relate to gaming.

[magilacudy]

How do you know how many points you have?

[O-Dog]

I am not getting sweet margins at VGD. Just take advantage of my stupidity.

And yes ..$25 a day. Advertising costs a LOT of money...this actually is a cheaper means of promotion that just paying for clicks at Google.

Stupidity? Hardly. Your traffic will increase exponentially. I would imagine that this has been anticipated, and thus server load increases accomodated.

[scuba]

How do you know how many points you have?

yea I am pretty confused about how you get points and how you know how many you have.


I have an order at videogamedeals but I need some cash in my paypal account first :( that would be sweet if I could win this.

[defender]

Yeah your points are displayed near your name in a post. I have to work on points display because it doesnt display in profile unless you view your profile from the button in a topic.

I hope I am explaining this well.

Anyways...just after you make a post you can view a post you made and see your points under your name.

[WildWop]

Dude, I'm getting an error when I try to go to the forums on your site.


phpBB : Critical Error

Error creating new session

DEBUG MODE

SQL Error : 1062 Duplicate entry '4951344caec402a1afd1c0166e51e93b' for key 1

INSERT INTO phpbb_sessions (session_id, session_user_id, session_start, session_time, session_ip, session_page, session_logged_in) VALUES ('4951344caec402a1afd1c0166e51e93b', 3763, 1080316831, 1080316831, 'a2423205', 0, 1)

Line : 80
File : /usr/local/psa/home/vhosts/videogamedeals.com/httpdocs/includes/modules/phpbb2/includes/sessions.php

[defender]

hmm..occassionally I get the same error. Try to close the browser or just logout of the site

I guess this will also serve to test the forums out better too... you are my little mice.

[Sporadic]

Signed up.

[r1s3n]

I'm all for this but damn thats to damn expensive. Going to lose tons of merchindise over this I'm sure. You should do it weekly. Prob going to get flamed but I imagine its already hard enough competing with all the mega corps and online stores.

r1s3n

[GameDude]

lucky dice is soooo addicting. :shock: Can I only buy one ticket per day?

[defender]

One ticket per day. For next 2 weeks this will be $25 a day.

I will be promoting this all over the place not just at CAG. After 2 weeks it will change to either a $10 a day or maybe $50 a week. Not really sure.

[O-Dog]

I'm all for this but damn thats to damn expensive. Going to lose tons of merchindise over this I'm sure. You should do it weekly. Prob going to get flamed but I imagine its already hard enough competing with all the mega corps and online stores.

r1s3n

Can't help but wonder, not that it would play out exactly like this, but:

$25*365 = $9,125

Now if we divide the $9,125 in potentially lost revenue by the $46.99 going VGD rate for new, regularly-priced games, we get 194.19. So basically, if the lottery system spurs users to purchase 195 games (at that price), defender comes out ahead in the end. Of course this is all subject to the days the lottery runs/price at which people buy/how many new lottery participants actually buy but you get the idea. And if users use the CAG free shipping code, that'll probably push the number of games needed to be sold over 200...but not by much, of course.

In the end, it's genius. Tack on savings from less reliance on google clicks points and boom...your market share increases and operating costs decrease. It's a good model.

[O-Dog]

One ticket per day. For next 2 weeks this will be $25 a day.

I will be promoting this all over the place not just at CAG. After 2 weeks it will change to either a $10 a day or maybe $50 a week. Not really sure.

2 weeks...that's $350. If defender sells just 8 games at 46.99 as a result of this, he makes out in the end. Granted margins are slim as that girl in defender's avatar, sales are sales, gross is gross, and carving out market share away from megastores is always a very positive step in the right direction.

Hell, I'm on the verge of buying 3 games at 46.99 right now.

[eskimo]

Do you have to buy a ticket daily to be in the daily drawing? For example, I bought a ticket today, but if I don't win today does my ticket disappear so that I *must* buy one to be entered in tomorrow's drawing?

[doraemonkerpal]

One ticket per day. For next 2 weeks this will be $25 a day.

I will be promoting this all over the place not just at CAG. After 2 weeks it will change to either a $10 a day or maybe $50 a week. Not really sure.

2 weeks...that's $350. If defender sells just 8 games at 46.99 as a result of this, he makes out in the end. Granted margins are slim as that girl in defender's avatar, sales are sales, gross is gross, and carving out market share away from megastores is always a very positive step in the right direction.

Hell, I'm on the verge of buying 3 games at 46.99 right now.

yea, but that's not counting the cost of the games... so if a game costs him 44 bucks to buy and he sells them for 47... you do the math.

[ZForce915]

Love the idea. But I can't find this damn dice game!

*edit* I found it.

[scuba]

ok I got it, was a little confusing but got the hang of it. Its a sweet idea. I have some suggestions for you if you want to hear them.

[Sporadic]

lucky dice is soooo addicting. :shock: Can I only buy one ticket per day?

That is what I am wondering.

[O-Dog]

Are VGD staff eligible to win the lottery?

[O-Dog]

One ticket per day. For next 2 weeks this will be $25 a day.

I will be promoting this all over the place not just at CAG. After 2 weeks it will change to either a $10 a day or maybe $50 a week. Not really sure.

2 weeks...that's $350. If defender sells just 8 games at 46.99 as a result of this, he makes out in the end. Granted margins are slim as that girl in defender's avatar, sales are sales, gross is gross, and carving out market share away from megastores is always a very positive step in the right direction.

Hell, I'm on the verge of buying 3 games at 46.99 right now.

yea, but that's not counting the cost of the games... so if a game costs him 44 bucks to buy and he sells them for 47... you do the math.

There's a huge difference between profits and revenue. In most companies, cash flow is a huge indicator of many things (perhaps even more important than profits, at times...look at M$FT). Your aggregate cash flows give you the net present value of your institution...which can be more interesting than profits, depending on your scope.

[defender]

ONE TICKET PER DAY

but once the lottery is drawn you will have to buy another ticket

And VGD staff are eligible as they are not paid staff so I thought it fair that they can enter

As for the profitibility of this giveaway...there is none on the short term. Its all about promotion and getting more users to sign up and increasing traffic and getting more google food. The profitability of VGD is NONE...but I think that will change in 6-8 months...next xmas most likely. At this point I lose a lot of money from giveaways, promotions, advertising ,shipping, and specials. I dont sell very many games outside of the great bargains. Even though my games are generally cheaper than other major retailers.

[defender]

Nice comment O-Dog. Do you work in financing?

Cash flow has its advantages too. :-)

[MightySlacker]

Forums are kind of buggy for me. Times are changing, the dice disappeared for a few, and I don't think the points are crediting properly. But I see how people get hooked on the dice thing - that's a great idea. It's fun.

[defender]

If you see bugs please LMK what they are...I am working on a couple fixes.

I am not sure why the dice would disappear. I havent had any dice problems. As for points crediting properly. Please LMK.

I think I know why thats happening and can fix it now.

[nogard]

Wow, free stuff? Count me in.

[doraemonkerpal]

One ticket per day. For next 2 weeks this will be $25 a day.

I will be promoting this all over the place not just at CAG. After 2 weeks it will change to either a $10 a day or maybe $50 a week. Not really sure.

2 weeks...that's $350. If defender sells just 8 games at 46.99 as a result of this, he makes out in the end. Granted margins are slim as that girl in defender's avatar, sales are sales, gross is gross, and carving out market share away from megastores is always a very positive step in the right direction.

Hell, I'm on the verge of buying 3 games at 46.99 right now.

yea, but that's not counting the cost of the games... so if a game costs him 44 bucks to buy and he sells them for 47... you do the math.

There's a huge difference between profits and revenue. In most companies, cash flow is a huge indicator of many things (perhaps even more important than profits, at times...look at M$FT). Your aggregate cash flows give you the net present value of your institution...which can be more interesting than profits, depending on your scope.

aight, one sec... let me break out my econ books... LOL, j/k.

okok, i only said what i said b/c your original post was too simplified. it made it sound like, "defender only has to sell 8 games and he'll recoup every 25 dollar gift certificate PERIOD."

[sm04as]

How do you change your username?

[doraemonkerpal]

If you see bugs please LMK what they are...I am working on a couple fixes.

I am not sure why the dice would disappear. I havent had any dice problems. As for points crediting properly. Please LMK.

I think I know why thats happening and can fix it now.

i had a problem with the dice game. i did it and a pair came up on the left side, the screen blinked and all of a sudden, all the numbers were different so i lossed :(

[sm04as]

Ok, never mind, I got it.

I thought it was odd that there wasn't a place where you could directly specify a username when the account was made.

[nogard]

Problem with the dice game, when I click on it, it ask me to log in. After I log in, I'm at the start page. When I click on the "Forum" and click dice game again, the same process repeates.

[defender]

hmm....I just tried to make a change to see if it helps. The problems are with the sessions since there are forums sessions and also VGD SSL sessions...they seem to conflict somewhat.

What browser are you on? Also I was just working on it so maybe it works for you now.

[sm04as]

The sign in process seems a little screwy. I can't post anymore. When I try to reply to a post, I have to sign in, but it takes me nowhere.

[Wshakspear]

Im having similar problems. Im using IE 6.0. I go to vgd, it says hi with my name on the page, i click on forums and so far everything ok. i try to post, i need to sign in. I try to play the dice game, it asks for login/PW, i enter it and it takes me back to the front page...Wash rinse repeat

[defender]

Ok...I didnt FIX anything..I made it worse...but I think I have it now. :-)

LMK

If you have a problem at the moment just try to LOGOFF the site with this link..

https://www.videogamedeals.com/logoff.php

[Wshakspear]

its fixed for me now. thank you

[sm04as]

Oh, yeah...where have all the points gone? :cry:

[defender]

They are there...I have also given a couple users some points.


If you feel you posted in the last couple hours just PM me either here or at VGD and I will add points to your account for you.

[magilacudy]

defender, the dates and times are wrong on some of the posts. Most of the threads have post dates of March 27th and are at least 6-7 hours ahead. I posted about this on the VGD forums as well. Just wanted to let you know.

[O-Dog]

defender, the dates and times are wrong on some of the posts. Most of the threads have post dates of March 27th and are at least 6-7 hours ahead. I posted about this on the VGD forums as well. Just wanted to let you know.

You might have to adjust the timezone in your profile...if it's exactly a number of hours off, this is likely the case.

[nogard]

It's working now. Thanks

[lurknomore]

Hmm, would I rather post here or at Defender's site? I hope that this does not adversely affect posting here at CAG.

[peteyrose]

Hmm, would I rather post here or at Defender's site? I hope that this does not adversely affect posting here at CAG.

CAG gets enough posts as is, go over there!

I love the site. Props, defender. Your contest ad worked for at least one person. :)

[magilacudy]

defender, the dates and times are wrong on some of the posts. Most of the threads have post dates of March 27th and are at least 6-7 hours ahead. I posted about this on the VGD forums as well. Just wanted to let you know.

You might have to adjust the timezone in your profile...if it's exactly a number of hours off, this is likely the case.

Gotcha... its fixed. Thanks.

[D4rkewolfe]

I like the concept very much, seeing as how it will definitely keep people active in the forums, hopefully generating more useful posts than useless.

Will there be some type of expiration on said voucher? As always defender, good job, and good luck to all.

[defender]

the vouchers dont expire

I will have to look at the forums time.

[russtophiles]

Sounds like a good idea. But I have to say that starting up a points system for posting topics and posts has proven to have somewhat disasterous consequences on boards of increasing popularity such as Cheap Ass Gamer's. What you'll end up seeing eventually is mass amounts of people forcing out as many posts and topics as they can, relevant they may be, and the already present topics get washed away very quickly and make the board a frustrating place to take part in when your topic gets pushed off the first page in a matter of minutes. It's good to have active boards, but not TOO active. That's my 2 cents.

[defender]

This can be true with or without a points system installed.

[peteyrose]

Will people be allowed to win only once?

[defender]

People can win again and again and again.

Also I am looking into adding more fun stuff for the points system in the next day or two. It should be some fun stuff.

[defender]

8 HOURS left

[sexdrugsandrocknroll]

I was just wondering, can our points be used for things other than the lottery? Any future plans?

[defender]

Yes...today actually I am gonna try to get something else going.

It has the potential to be very cool.

Also less than 1 hour until the first drawing.

[THPS]

I can't wait to see what the "something else" is.

[ZForce915]

I've already got my sights on my prize...oh please let me win! Squaresoft 3 pack (and Perfect Dark for $3) here I come!

[scuba]

yea that perfect dark price is really good! You should give points for referrals, and like product reviews ;)

[THPS]

I keep on losing all my points on the Lucky Dice game.....or the "Unlucky" Dice game as I call it.

I found a small grammar error in the Lucky Dice game:
"You've got 1 pair, you didn't won, nor lose !!"

The "won" should be "win" to agree with the rest of the sentence. I know....I am a pain sometimes.

[peteyrose]

Who won?

[scuba]

I think it said THPS won! :) congrats

[peteyrose]

I still think people should be allowed to win only once.

[GSJaia]

Defender, I must again commend you on a job well done. Next time I an in the city I need to swing by your store ;)

[THPS]

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VGD IS THE BEST SITE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Defender, would I be able to use the gift voucher at your B&M store?

Thanks,
THPS

[defender]

You can place an order at the site and choose store pickup.

Also if I keep giving away prizes every day for the next 4 years...its not fair a person can only win once. Also after a person wins what incentive do they have to play again.

Personally I dont think someone is gonna win more than once too often especially if the lottery becomes really popular.

I will fix that Typo later on.

At the moment I am working on another points add on game.

[scuba]

Well I like how you can only buy one ticket because some users have A LOT of points and allowing only one ticket to be bought gives everyone a chance :)

[Valkryst]

Defender, are there limitations like one entry per household?

My little brother wanted to get in on this but I wasn't sure if it was allowed.

[defender]

You can be the judge of the little brother thing...if I find abuse I will disqualify you.


Also there is less than 2 hours till the next drawing. Still plenty of time to get in.

[Valkryst]

awesome stuff!

and a word to the wise:
The Lucky Dice game is EVIL :cry:

[lurknomore]

Lucky Dice is way fun....that should be a console game!

[defender]

lol glad you all like the Dice Game...if you go into th CAG news and feedback you can vote in a poll on whether CAG should add points as well...

As for the $25 Lottery...

3 Hours until another drawing....at this time only about 30 people and that means your chances are about 30-1 that you will win. The last 2 drawings so far have had less than 40 entries each. At this rate just about everyone will win after a couple weeks.

[defender]

Damnit...
sexdrugsandrocknroll actually won twice. Since at the moment only about 30-40 tickets per day are being sold its not impossible to win twice.

Anyways...we are less than 3 hours from the next drawing.

[Theenternal]

Not sure if you know this Defender, but your forums are acting all crazy right now.

phpBB : Critical Error

Error creating new session

I won't be able to enter today :(

[Sporadic]

Ok this is bullshit Quinlan just won for the second time in three days. You have to put a limit on wins Defender.

[longislandlady]

How are the winners determined? It's a bit odd that two people won twice already. Maybe the method of determining a winner needs to be changed if the same people will keep winning?

[Valkryst]

Gotta keep trying till I win!!!

btw I prefer to have the chance to win more then once..

I'm going to keep playing this for awhile :D

[defender]

well if 2 people can win twice in a week that would just show me it aint that hard to win...

I am sure if any of you won twice you wouldnt complain.

I may cap it at 3 wins though if by some strange chance a person wins a 3rd time...

personally I dont think there are enough entries...its not like 500 people have entered...there have been about 30-40 tickets sold a day.

As for the forums error...I was working on something. I just added a really cool Stock Market Exchange to work with the points system and I have added the game industry stocks to play with.

Have fun!

[peteyrose]

I'd agree with a cap of 3. That's reasonable.

[Sporadic]

well if 2 people can win twice in a week that would just show me it aint that hard to win...

I am sure if any of you won twice you wouldnt complain.

I already said at your forum that if I win once I will be out. I will not enter again. I am a cheapass not a greedyass.

[Theenternal]

I was wondering how the radomization process is done to do the lottery. If you have it on a time schedule, and a simple radomizer script is being run based on time, then it may not be that effective.

[Valkryst]

Oh man there's alot of people in the drawing now...

my chances of winning are going down!

but its nice to see a healthy forum population growing.

[defender]

You guys are crazy....

for me to profit $9000 from VGD I have to sell 3000 games!!!!

I make an average of $3 profit on a game sale....

I will not be giving out $25 a day after 2 weeks...that would be insane. I may lower it to $10 though. Basically few of my items are $10 and I think most would just buy a $40 game and I would lose only a few dollars...but to lose a few dollars on one sale per day is just fine.

To get this started and popular I am losing $15-$20 a day.


Also note that I have added some kick but mods based on the points system and people seem to be loving it.

[Naughty_Insomniac]

Also note that I have added some kick but mods based on the points system and people seem to be loving it.
defender, you are doing an awesome job! I especially like the new arcade! Great idea. It's a nice site and the people are pretty cool, of course quite a few are from here. :P

I know you are working hard to make it the best you can so I just wanted to point out a couple of errors that I keep getting. At the message boards, I keep getting:

phpBB : Critical Error

Error creating new session

DEBUG MODE

SQL Error : 1062 Duplicate entry 'e20cf9e78707a583bb301294878cae51' for key 1

INSERT INTO phpbb_sessions (session_id, session_user_id, session_start, session_time, session_ip, session_page, session_logged_in) VALUES ('e20cf9e78707a583bb301294878cae51', 3733, 1080810564, 1080810564, '40fb0b4d', 5, 1)

Line : 80
File : /usr/local/psa/home/vhosts/videogamedeals.com/httpdocs/includes/modules/phpbb2/includes/sessions.php

And I can't get in to the Mahjong, Darts, Frogger, or Dig. They keep giving me:

phpBB : Critical Error

Error creating new session

DEBUG MODE

SQL Error : 1062 Duplicate entry 'e20cf9e78707a583bb301294878cae51' for key 1

INSERT INTO phpbb_sessions (session_id, session_user_id, session_start, session_time, session_ip, session_page, session_logged_in) VALUES ('e20cf9e78707a583bb301294878cae51', 3733, 1080810647, 1080810647, '40fb0b4d', -13, 1)

Line : 80
File : /usr/local/psa/home/vhosts/videogamedeals.com/httpdocs/includes/modules/phpbb2/includes/sessions.php

I can imagine that you're probably pretty busy, but I wasn't sure if you're aware of these problems, especially with the new arcade.

Major props defender!


EDIT: I also have pms that I can't read ... :(

[defender]

try to logout and close your browser and then log back in

I reset some things and you may have had a problem yesterday

whats wrong with the PMs? I havent had any problems with those...what browser u have?

Also with the arcade at VGD...you can win points now and your score gets posted in high scores

[scuba]

Do you think you will do something else with the points? Like 500 points = 5 dollars off purchase but you could only use it once on each purchase or something like that?

I like those arcade games, very fun! :) any other updates coming soon? :)

[defender]

More updates to come but I find it HIGHLY unlikely that I will ever attach VGD points with actual money. The SPAM would be incredible and pointless.

I am gonna be adding a few more things to the site and then turn my full attention back to VideoGameAuctions.com which I have not worked on as much as I would have liked.