Wouldn’t most of us think that this seems more reasonable than just expecting to win a car, or winning a trip to the other side of the world? There is no dearth of products in the market, and with most products come some schemes or another.
If the advertisements tell the truth, we can expect to win mobile phones, laptops, TV sets and a whole lot more of goodies just by buying the product advertised. [break]
However, it’s a thing to wonder that if we aren’t winning the prizes, who are? Sitting down with Sakin Maharjan, 17, a class 12 student at Little Angels’ College; Arjun Thapa Magar, 26, School Coordinator at Sewa Sadan School in Battis Putali; Shubnam Thapa, 23, a student of Bachelor’s in Business Studies at Prime College; and Sandhya Thapa, 24, physiotherapist at Nepal Matri Griha, Republica catches up the youth’s perspectives on the various schemes that are here to tempt the customers.
From L to R: Sakin Maharjan, Shubnam Thapa, Sandhya Thapa and Arjun Thapa Magar
What’s your first reaction when you come across such an advertisement?
Sakin: To me, they look like fake, and I don’t think we really get any such prizes.
Arjun: I don’t believe I’ll win one, either, but I always think “try, try till you succeed.” So I try.
Sandhya: I’m not attracted to such schemes.
Shubnam: I don’t think I’ll win any prize. I remember a case where a man won a car, but the company informed him that they were actually giving out toy cars instead of the real thing. That just makes us lose faith in the so called grand prize schemes.
Have you ever won anything?
Sakin: When I was seven years old, I won a football. I would buy Shaktiman biscuits everyday just to check whether I won the prize. When I finally got the football, it took me three months before I could lay my hands on it.
Arjun: I think it depends on luck too. There was a weekly contest called Ulto Boli inon a national daily where we had to send an SMS to a particular number with the lowest price possible for a product that they would give away. If someone had the lowest price, the person would win the product. I’ve seen my teacher win a digital camera, a handy cam and six mobile sets. So, around seven months ago, I thought I would try it too. But I spent around Rs 1,000 for nothing. Then I thought it wasn’t for me, so I gave up trying and instead gave my teacher Rs 1,000 for fun. Well, he won me a Samsung digital camera. That camera is still functioning well. I don’t think they have the contest any more. If they did, my teacher would still be playing it.
Shubnam: I only won Rs 2 coupons. I managed to win a free bottle of Coke a few times. But when I go to the shopkeeper, I’m told that “dealerlai sodhnuparchha” each time.
Have you ever met anyone who has won any big prizes?
Arjun: I agree with what Shubnam said earlier. Sometimes, the company puts in so many terms and conditions. They advertise big prizes and when it’s time to award the winner, they pull out their terms which are hardly visible in the scheme and surprise the winner. When my friend bought a bike, he was supposed to get a free camera. However, he was told that he would have to win the lucky draw to get the camera.
If you were to make one of these schemes, what prizes would you include, and how would you promote your scheme?
Sandhya: First I would make sure that the prizes aren’t that grand and that a lot more customers have chances of winning prizes. If the product is something a woman would use more, I would put something like shampoos as the prize. And because we have to endure load shedding, I would place my advertisements in newspapers and on FM radios and not TV.
Arjun: I would make mine seasonal. For instance, during winter when load shedding is at its peak, I would put in inverters as prizes. I also think it’s good to have cash prizes, preferably, Rs 5,000.
Sakin: I would target students and give away scholarships. I also think cash prizes are a good idea, something in the range of Rs 50 and above, but definitely not the Rs 1 and 2 coupons, which we get inside noodle packets.
Shubnam: I would like to give away mobile phones. I would place my advertisements in newspapers, on TV and FM stations.
Related story
Nepal Republic Media awards winners of lucky draw
