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Game machines sold by lottery at HMV

November 29, 2006 › Sandy McMurray | comment

So, it has come to this: HMV in Canada has decided to implement an online lottery to sell its limited stock of PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii game consoles.

"We understand the challenge consumers are facing trying to secure these popular items," says Humphrey Kadaner, President, HMV Canada. "HMV values its customers and this is our way of ensuring we're giving consumers an equal chance to buy the Wii or PS3."

Note that HMV is not giving the consoles away; the lottery is to win a chance to buy these game machines at the regular retail price.

Here are the details from the HMV site:
- start time: 6:00 a.m. EST on Saturday, November 25, 2006
- end time: 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, December 03, 2006
- contestants are vying for the chance to PURCHASE a game system
- there are twenty (20) of each consoles available
- HMV retail price for the Wii is $279.99 (plus taxes) and is non-negotiable
- HMV retail price for the PS3 is $549.99 (plus taxes) and is non-negotiable
(note that this is the cheaper 20 GB hard drive version of the PS3)
- only one entry per person per console is permitted
- contestants must pre-select a HMV retail location for pickup
- valid photo ID will be required to complete the sale.

Click here to read the official HMV rules or to enter the lottery.

November 29, 2006 › Sandy McMurray | comment on this item