This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things...

[Zetatrain]

So hold on, when he announced the contest did he not mention the part about it being only in US/Canada and shipping cost until a significant amount of time had passed? If so then I can sort of understand why some people would be pissed; getting people's hopes up only to then crush them is never a good thing to do. Also why the hell are the shipping costs so expensive? Where are they being shipped from? The Moon?

On the other hand i do have to agree with the OP, why are people bitching so much? There were only six cards so your chances of winning one were already extremely low even with the giveaway only being available in the US and Canada.

 

[teebeeohh]

didn't he recently complain about people using the word entitlement wrong?
and yes, this is a situation where some good communication could have easily resolved everything but lashing out at everyone (like TB is prone to do) kinda made shit worse.

 

[Ren_Li]

I suspect there's more to this, I don't see why anyone would care about a US/Can giveaway.

Probably because it's painfully common for countries outside of that to be regarded as "unimportant".
When someone says "sorry but due to international laws, it's US/Can only", it helps it go down. But very often it comes across as "US/Can only because we don't think the rest of the world matters"- this isn't a comment on any one thing, but an overwhelming feeling that can be got when you see it over and over, that something that you can access is then offering, say, an add-on, or a contest, or a freebie, even digital stuff with no shipping etc, and it's just "if you're not in the US or Canada, tough. You're not worthy of our consideration."

I'm not saying that was TotalBiscuit's stance. I'm not saying this is the stance of any one person or company, on any specific thing. But when it feels like that snub, that "you don't get to be involved and I'm not going to type five or so words to give you an idea as to why", it starts to smart. And when it keeps happening, with things you like, it smarts more, and more, and you start to resent being treated that way.

I'm not commenting on this specific instance, because I don't know what happened, how it went down, how people reacted, how many interested people were outside US/Can, etc. Again, neither am I commenting on any specific instance- rather, the bitterness of it happening over and over, and never being told, "sorry, the shipping is too expensive," or "sorry, the laws are too complicated", or even "sorry, we don't want the hassle of working out which countries do and don't get to be involved". Just, "you're excluded because you're not from our great and wonderful area of the world."
And then those people were given a way to respond to someone who told them that.

Was it "just" because it was US/Can only? Possibly not. But it may have had more of an impact than you think.

 

[Dr.Awkward]

It's probably because of how much it costs to ship those things across an ocean and/or EU's VAT meaning that the costs for these cards would get astronomical and thus a bit too generous for NVIDIA's blood to consider letting the contest be worldwide.

... Now, there's little you can do about shipping unless you're able to invent teleportation for physical goods, but if you really want to participate in a contest or sweepstakes, maybe it's time that you folks over in the EU countries demand that goods won in a sweepstakes or contest are VAT-exempt?

 

[sanquin]

He did mention it being US/Canada only in a way. It was in the video's description when he posted it. It was there just below his video, in clear view for anyone to see. He didn't SAY so directly, but still.

I was a bit disappointed too when I saw that it was US/Canada only, but my god did a ton of people complain about it. I mean, seriously? Shipping costs, insurances and foreign laws are a pain. And he had 7 cards, so shipping costs and insurances x7 as well.

 

[Phlakes]

Methinks it's a bit of the pot calling the kettle black when it comes to Total Biscuit calling anybody "entitled". Especially the way he harps on about PC graphics and frame rates and the way he regards his fans.

And take a look at what he makes just from ad revenue [http://socialblade.com/youtube/user/TotalHalibut]. He could pay for international shipping of 600 graphics cards and then maybe buy a house or two.

 

[sir neillios]

Methinks it's a bit of the pot calling the kettle black when it comes to Total Biscuit calling anybody "entitled". Especially the way he harps on about PC graphics and frame rates and the way he regards his fans.

And take a look at what he makes just from ad revenue [http://socialblade.com/youtube/user/TotalHalibut]. He could pay for international shipping of 600 graphics cards and then maybe buy a house or two.

Oh come on, the range in that estimate is ridiculous, 40k - 400k, let's pretend it's in the middle, say 200k per year. A fair bit of cash no doubt, but ever hear of a wee thing called taxes? I'm not saying the guy doesn't make a fair bit of money, but he is running a business with overheads and staff to pay. He said his trip to PAX cost 10k with equipment and flights.

 

[ATRAYA]

Wow, I'm subbed to TB and I never even heard of that contest... Weird.
Living in Canada, I would've had no problem with the contest, but I personally don't see why people in Europe would react so strongly. Some guy, somewhere, is giving away free stuff and that calls for... crucifixion? That's an interesting new rule.

I'm sure there are folks in the UK that are giving away free stuff RIGHT NOW, only to residents of the SAME GODDAMN CONTINENT, and you don't see me turning on the waterworks and screaming like a baby because I didn't get what I want. Say what you will about TB, he's a good commentator and likes to do good by his viewers (I know he plays a character personality that supposedly "hates" his fans, but anyone who spends more than five seconds on the channel knows that's not true), and this is very sad that people would just spit in his face like this.

Good job, Internet.

 

[Dr. Cakey]

He did mention it being US/Canada only in a way. It was in the video's description when he posted it. It was there just below his video, in clear view for anyone to see. He didn't SAY so directly, but still.

>Youtube
>reading descriptions

Finishing entire videos is hard enough, you expect people to read on top of that?

 

[BoredRolePlayer]

Surprising he seemed to pulled the classic, if your gonna ***** I'll take my toys home. Honestly he seems like a child just like the people whining. You mean to tell me a man with his fame isn't used to people getting pissy and mad at him?

 

[SSJBlastoise]

What kind of special toll fees are there for computer parts?

That's what I'm wondering. How would sending a few graphics cards be so damn expensive? It's probably because he just couldn't be arsed sending them overseas. I just did a quick search and one forum suggested it would be about $100 to send a card (express with tracking) and I doubt graphics cards would require special taxes just to get into a country.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

And how many contests on the Escapist or giveaways have been US only? I just live with this stuff, and I'm only above the border.

 

[Vegosiux]

He did mention it being US/Canada only in a way. It was in the video's description when he posted it. It was there just below his video, in clear view for anyone to see. He didn't SAY so directly, but still.

Yeah, well, it would have cost him 3 seconds and saved him a headache if he also mentioned it int he video. From a purely pragmatic point of view, in hindsight, it seems silly that he didn't take those 3 seconds.

Also...

"There's no need to read the fine print...the soul consumption clause is never exercised."

Of course there's the entire "It often comes across as if the rest of the world is regarded as expendable and not worth consideration." which was mentioned up in the thread. Now, whoever takes issue with people taking offense to being treated that way should stop for a moment and think about it.

 

[Vhite]

Is this guy a child? People get all angry and instead of giving strangers on the internet all due attention (hint, it's none) he takes his ball and goes home?

Basically yes. I like some of TBs videos but when it comes to internet behavior, and especially youtube he often acts like 8 year old kid since he takes everything people say seriously and takes it and his entire fandom thought so.

Also I like how people throw the word 'entitled' around.

So you think you are entitled to be part of this contest even though it would cost me a fortune?
So you think you are entitled to ignore half of your fanbase?
So you think you are entitled to be my fans?
So you think you are entitled to to post shit on internet?
So you think you are entitled to make me care?
So you think you are entitled to have opinion?
etc.

 

[Roxor]

Sadly, all region restrictions come with the "If you're not in Region X, you're not worth anything" connotation. The only way around it is universal availability. Unfortunately, that's not always feasible, and when that happens, people get upset.

 

[salfiert]

erm I live in australia and we never get ANY international competitions, ever, its due to our retarded gambling laws but seriously rest of the world, harden up, yeah I know its disappointing but hey that's life, he is one guy, if he shipped international shipping insurance is expensive, oh sure he could go without it, but what about the backlash if the package goes missing that would be even worse, we in Australia are used to it, we read the fine print to check if we are included, not excluded and frankly that's the more reasonable position to take. if he wants to return them because people were silly and didn't want to read fine print its no skin of his back, he loses out on nothing except a giant headache and hassle.

 

[KnowYourOnion]

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/entitlement


Seriously


What kind of special toll fees are there for computer parts?

Shipping insurance, it was going to cost over $1000 to insure each card.

That's not a small amount.

 

[Daveman]

The guy has always come across as a bit immature to be honest. His motto seems to be "I'm right and have these opinions and if you disagree I don't care about your opinion and stop watching my videos". I mean shouldn't people be allowed to have one or two differing opinions without you throwing a hissy fit? I know there are the obvious trolls but talk about throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

So from what I've heard the situation is this. A subsection of his audience complains because they feel they are being left out, so he cancels the entire thing and blames those people, thus creating even more division.

Smooth.

 

[Smeatza]

There is no point in running a competition if the winners have to spend more than the prize is worth to actually get the prize.
If you hide the fact that competition winners will have to do the above, they are going to get pissed when they do find out. What other reason was there for him to leave out that piece of information from the video and separately announce it on twitter? Besides the fact the competition would get more interest that way.
I've always been indifferent of TotalBiscuit but m opinion of him has soured now.

 

[Lazy Kitty]

Well, what do you expect when the rest of us is being left out again.
It's always US/Canada.
Europe never seems to be included.
Probably the same for the rest of the world.

If you're gonna do something only a limited number of people can benefit from, at least make sure the rest of us don't know about it, so you don't get our hopes up.