Why nobody ever wins the car at the mall

Reminds me a bit of a process I've been wrestling with to redeem a "rebate" (gift card to a chosen retailer from a list) on an online textbook, negotiated between the professor and the textbook company after the semester start. The stakes are a little lower ($15 rather than a car) but the hoops they make you jump through, and the personal information they want, for what is ostensibly your money definitely make it feel just as scammy.

Well I would be for penalizing such businesses. Isn't this just bait and switch? Such businesses should have their licenses revoked, as they damage relations for everyone else who wants to use prize incentives. These cheaty businesses also call into question the common person's ability to negotiate with fine print -- it's just too much.

One more spam e-mail won't bother them too much when they think they can win a car for it.

Since this is a California on-site thing, California sweepstakes law applies.[1]

- "The exact nature and approximate value of the prizes must be disclosed clearly and conspicuously when they are offered."

- "The law prohibits the company from misrepresenting the odds of receiving any item offered."

- Prohibited: "Failing to award and distribute all prizes of the value and type represented."

Online complaint form here.[2]

[1] http://consumerwiki.dca.ca.gov/wiki/index.php/CONTESTS/SWEEP... [2] https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-busine...