Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday • Hacker News Board

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#11

Post by ecesena » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:12 AM UTC

nicksergeant wrote: post #7

ecesena wrote: post #5

Isn't this either very border line or even illegal in the US (genuinely asking)? - I thought every contract between 2 parties required an exchange of something, so money can't be traded for nothing, but maybe I'm wrong. Edit: getting downvoted, not sure why, explanation would be helpful

Probably not any different than just donating to a GoFundMe fundraiser. It's not actually a deductible charitable donation, and you're receiving nothing in return.

I believe that crowdfunding platforms solved exactly the legal issue behind that. I have no idea about the details but I imagine that 1. they take care about taxes and similar, and 2. someone you're donating money in exchange of being part of the cause, whatever this legally means.

What I'm asking is specifically related to the term "nothing", which (I think) can only have a single interpretation.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#12

Post by ecesena » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:14 AM UTC

Scoundreller wrote: post #9

ecesena wrote: post #5

Isn't this either very border line or even illegal in the US (genuinely asking)? - I thought every contract between 2 parties required an exchange of something, so money can't be traded for nothing, but maybe I'm wrong. Edit: getting downvoted, not sure why, explanation would be helpful

It just means the buyers could easily get a refund. It's not illegal. Similarly, technically minors can't enter into commercial contracts except for life necessities. So if an <18 buys a car, they could return it whenever they want. Whether they'd have to pay something for its use/damage is debatable.

Interesting, thanks.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#13

Post by LordKano » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:15 AM UTC

ecesena wrote: post #5

Isn't this either very border line or even illegal in the US (genuinely asking)? - I thought every contract between 2 parties required an exchange of something, so money can't be traded for nothing, but maybe I'm wrong. Edit: getting downvoted, not sure why, explanation would be helpful

IANAL but I don't see how it could be illegal.

There's no misrepresentation. Both the "buyer" and the "seller" know what is going on and agree.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#14

Post by bpicolo » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:15 AM UTC

Cards against Humanity has great marketing team, but I'm still pretty sure people are buying in because they think there's a chance they're getting something still.

There was that time recently that cards against humanity sold a box of literal bull shit, and then people were disappointed when they got just literal bull shit.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#15

Post by chipperyman573 » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:18 AM UTC

bpicolo wrote: post #14

Cards against Humanity has great marketing team, but I'm still pretty sure people are buying in because they think there's a chance they're getting something still. There was that time recently that cards against humanity sold a box of literal bull shit, and then people were disappointed when they got just literal bull shit.

They don't ask for your address, there's no way they'll get anything.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#16

Post by SN76477 » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:18 AM UTC

ecesena wrote: post #5

Isn't this either very border line or even illegal in the US (genuinely asking)? - I thought every contract between 2 parties required an exchange of something, so money can't be traded for nothing, but maybe I'm wrong. Edit: getting downvoted, not sure why, explanation would be helpful

It is likely being sold as a service.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#17

Post by bpicolo » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:18 AM UTC

chipperyman573 wrote: post #15

bpicolo wrote: post #14

Cards against Humanity has great marketing team, but I'm still pretty sure people are buying in because they think there's a chance they're getting something still. There was that time recently that cards against humanity sold a box of literal bull shit, and then people were disappointed when they got just literal bull shit.

They don't ask for your address, there's no way they'll get anything.

I don't disagree. My point is people are not smart. =|

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#18

Post by personjerry » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:18 AM UTC

gamesbrainiac wrote: post #3

> Because the greatest Black Friday gift of all is buying nothing. We’re offering that for the rock-bottom price of $5. How can you afford NOT to seize this incredible opportunity? Great salesmanship.

It would be even better if they had it as $10 crossed out, 50% sale price: $5

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#19

Post by ecesena » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:20 AM UTC

LordKano wrote: post #13

ecesena wrote: post #5

Isn't this either very border line or even illegal in the US (genuinely asking)? - I thought every contract between 2 parties required an exchange of something, so money can't be traded for nothing, but maybe I'm wrong. Edit: getting downvoted, not sure why, explanation would be helpful

IANAL but I don't see how it could be illegal. There's no misrepresentation. Both the "buyer" and the "seller" know what is going on and agree.

Give an illegal action A, a seller could sell a service that does A. If you buy A, it doesn't make it legal just because both you and the seller know what is going on and agree.

Re: Cards Against Humanity Has Made Over $54K Selling Nothing on Black Friday

#20

Post by chipperyman573 » Sat, Nov 28, 2015, 12:21 AM UTC

Scoundreller wrote: post #9

ecesena wrote: post #5

Isn't this either very border line or even illegal in the US (genuinely asking)? - I thought every contract between 2 parties required an exchange of something, so money can't be traded for nothing, but maybe I'm wrong. Edit: getting downvoted, not sure why, explanation would be helpful

It just means the buyers could easily get a refund. It's not illegal. Similarly, technically minors can't enter into commercial contracts except for life necessities. So if an <18 buys a car, they could return it whenever they want. Whether they'd have to pay something for its use/damage is debatable.

>So if an Can you go more into detail on that or tell me what law says that? Does that mean I (17/US) could walk into Walmart, buy a shirt, wear it for 6 months and expect a full refund?