Apple Japan announces annual 'Lucky Bag' promotion for Jan. 2

Posted:
in General Discussion edited December 2014
Apple on Friday announced its "Lucky Bags" promotion for Japan, a New Year's retail tradition that consistently nets customers visiting brick-and-mortar Apple Stores hundreds of dollars' worth of savings.




Terms and conditions for this year's Lucky Bags promo were posted to Apple Japan's retail website, revealing festivities will kick off on Jan. 2, 2015, with many Japanese Apple Store locations open two hours early to accommodate a usual throng of customers. The change was spotted by Japanese blog Kodawarisan.

Called Fukubukuro in Japanese, roughly translated to "Lucky Bags," the yearly custom sees major retailers and department stores sell sealed grab bags filled with popular and sometimes expensive items. Customers take a slight risk in buying Fukubukuro as they are not privy to the bags' contents, but the combined value of included goods is almost always worth more than the price paid.

Last year, Apple sold four different Fukubukuro packages, each priced at 36,000 yen (about $343 at the time), with some bags stuffed with special gifts like an 11-inch MacBook Air, iPad Air or first-generation iPad mini. The company has yet to reveal Fukubukuro pricing for 2015.

As with past years, Apple Store Lucky Bags can only be purchased at brick-and-mortar Apple Stores, while customers are limited to one bag per day and the items within can only be returned if defective.

Apple's Lucky Bags promo is set to kick off at 8 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2015.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 38

    Also, Apple's "red envelope" day will be coming up in February for China and much of Asia.

  • Reply 2 of 38
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member

    I've said this before, but Apple should have this for the USA!

     

    What happened to diversity?

     

    Why shouldn't Apple offer something similar in the states?

     

    It would be fun to buy one of those bags, test your luck, and see if there was a Macbook inside or something else that's cool.

  • Reply 3 of 38
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     

    I've said this before, but Apple should have this for the USA!

     

    What happened to diversity?

     

    Why shouldn't Apple offer something similar in the states?

     

    It would be fun to buy one of those bags, test your luck, and see if there was a Macbook inside or something else that's cool.




    My guess is that it's simply not the tradition here in the US as it is in Japan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukubukuro

     

    I too would like to see something like this in the US but I don't think it'll happen.

  • Reply 4 of 38
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Lord Amhran View Post

     



    My guess is that it's simply not the tradition here in the US as it is in Japan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukubukuro


     

    I understand that, but Apple can make it a tradition by simply choosing to implement it. It would be very popular I bet, and people would be lining up at Apple stores to get those lucky bags.

     

    It's not like there aren't already plenty of lame holidays and traditions that are celebrated here, so one more wouldn't harm anybody. And this one actually sounds like fun.

  • Reply 5 of 38
    I can imagine posts on this site and one other from ppl who didn't think they got their money's worth. Every year A has produced the UK based iTunes Festival, totally free admission for tons of talent, on this site...U.S. Residents not even going , complain about bands A is presenting. So reminds me of my old maid aunt who managed to find fault and throw cold water on every family event, every year...
  • Reply 6 of 38
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     

     

    I understand that, but Apple can make it a tradition by simply choosing to implement it. It would be very popular I bet, and people would be lining up at Apple stores to get those lucky bags.

     

    It's not like there aren't already plenty of lame holidays and traditions that are celebrated here, so one more wouldn't harm anybody. And this one actually sounds like fun.




    Agree. I think Apple could implement something like this. Maybe put something like a voucher for a free iMac or something in a couple bags nation-wide

  • Reply 7 of 38
    chadbagchadbag Posts: 1,999member

    I was lucky enough to be in Japan last year over New Years.  Unfortunately, my wife asked, when I told her I was going to the Apple Store in the middle of the night to try and be in line to buy a Fukubukuro and she asked, "Do we need anything that might be in it" and I had to say no, so I didn't go.   Been kicking myself ever since.   Maybe next New Years (2016).  It is great fun.   All stores, almost, have these "grab bags" and sometimes you can get some good deals.  But it is always fun to see what you get.

  • Reply 8 of 38
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lord Amhran View Post

     



    Agree. I think Apple could implement something like this. Maybe put something like a voucher for a free iMac or something in a couple bags nation-wide




    Apple could kickstart this whole "lucky bag" thing in the USA. Media would be reporting on it, and people would be asking "Why are those people lined in front of the Apple store, is the new iPhone out yet?"  - - - "Nah, they're just standing there to get their lucky bags!"

     

    "Lucky bags, what's that?"

     

    Soon other retailers would be copying the "lucky bag" concept, because everybody copies Apple, and Apple could be the first to do something like this in the USA.

  • Reply 9 of 38
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by pacificfilm View Post



    I can imagine posts on this site and one other from ppl who didn't think they got their money's worth. Every year A has produced the UK based iTunes Festival, totally free admission for tons of talent, on this site...U.S. Residents not even going , complain about bands A is presenting. So reminds me of my old maid aunt who managed to find fault and throw cold water on every family event, every year...



    Mentaly disturbed people are always going to complain no matter what. The internet has merely provided a convenient platform for these lunatics.

  • Reply 10 of 38
    apple ][ wrote: »
    I've said this before, but Apple should have this for the USA!

    What happened to diversity?

    Why shouldn't Apple offer something similar in the states?

    It would be fun to buy one of those bags, test your luck, and see if there was a Macbook inside or something else that's cool.


    My guess is that it's simply not the tradition here in the US as it is in Japan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukubukuro

    I too would like to see something like this in the US but I don't think it'll happen.

    Apple didn't even do the 12 Days app this year, they're not going to do anything big like a discounted giveaway. No need to build goodwill here.

    Meanwhile, the bozos in charge of the App Store are promoting a $20 game (The World Ends With You) on the main Games page, and it doesn't even work with iOS 8. The developer even mentions this right from the beginning on the app description. Sloppy on their part...
  • Reply 11 of 38
    chris_cachris_ca Posts: 2,543member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

    I've said this before, but Apple should have this for the USA!

    What happened to diversity?


    How is it “diverse” if everyone does the same thing?

    <img class=" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />

  • Reply 12 of 38
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Chris_CA View Post

     

    How is it “diverse” if everyone does the same thing?

    <img class=" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />




    I am of course referring to a diversity of promotions. Excluding this promotion from the US is not a very inclusive thing to do.

  • Reply 13 of 38
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     



    Apple could kickstart this whole "lucky bag" thing in the USA. Media would be reporting on it, and people would be asking "Why are those people lined in front of the Apple store, is the new iPhone out yet?"  - - - "Nah, they're just standing there to get their lucky bags!"

     

    "Lucky bags, what's that?"

     

    Soon other retailers would be copying the "lucky bag" concept, because everybody copies Apple, and Apple could be the first to do something like this in the USA.




    I'd be interested in seeing if Samsung would ape this but then again kids have been putting bags of shit on doorsteps for decades....

  • Reply 14 of 38
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by TheWhiteFalcon View Post







    Apple didn't even do the 12 Days app this year, they're not going to do anything big like a discounted giveaway. No need to build goodwill here.

     

    You are correct. The chances of this actually happening, with Apple implementing such a cool idea in the US is somewhere between extremely slim and not a chance in hell. I mentioned it anyway, as I believe that it's a great idea, even though I know that it won't happen.

  • Reply 15 of 38
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lord Amhran View Post

     



    I'd be interested in seeing if Samsung would ape this but then again kids have been putting bags of shit on doorsteps for decades....




    Why wouldn't they? They've practically aped everything else already.<img class=" src="http://forums-files.appleinsider.com/images/smilies//lol.gif" />

     

    But seriously. Who the hell would want a Samsung lucky bag? I'd consider myself extremely lucky and blessed to not get any bag at all from them.

  • Reply 16 of 38
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Apple ][ View Post

     

     

    I understand that, but Apple can make it a tradition by simply choosing to implement it.


     

    No they can't. It's considered gambling here unless it's "no purchase necessary".

     

    http://www.thompsoncoburn.com/news-and-information/sweepstakes-law-blog/blog/14-02-04/can-a-grab-bag-be-a-sweepstakes.aspx

    Quote:

     This may be particularly true in California which has enacted a state law that prevents such grab bag sales. The law addresses a scheme to distribute sports trading cards by chance in which the purchasers pay for the cards with the understanding that they have a chance to win a prize listed by the seller as being contained in one or more (but not all) of the grab bags offered for sale. Under the California statute (California Penal Code Section 319.3), this scheme is an illegal lottery.

  • Reply 17 of 38
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by konqerror View Post

     

    No they can't. It's considered gambling here unless it's "no purchase necessary".

     

    http://www.thompsoncoburn.com/news-and-information/sweepstakes-law-blog/blog/14-02-04/can-a-grab-bag-be-a-sweepstakes.aspx




    Good post! That's interesting, I didn't know that, and it would certainly explain why Apple wouldn't do something like a "lucky bag" promotion in the US. 

     

    From your link: This may be particularly true in California which has enacted a state law that prevents such grab bag sales.

     

    What a terrible law! But it certainly answers the question I asked in this thread!

  • Reply 18 of 38
    apple ][ wrote: »

    Why wouldn't they? They've practically aped everything else already.:lol:

    But seriously. Who the hell would want a Samsung lucky bag? I'd consider myself extremely lucky and blessed to not get any bag at all from them.

    That'd be the trick: ONE bag would have Apple products in it, the rest would be loaded with Galaxy crap. The lucky winner gets the Apple bag.
    konqerror wrote: »
    No they can't. It's considered gambling here unless it's "no purchase necessary".

    http://www.thompsoncoburn.com/news-and-information/sweepstakes-law-blog/blog/14-02-04/can-a-grab-bag-be-a-sweepstakes.aspx

    So don't run it in Commiefornia.
  • Reply 19 of 38
    apple ][apple ][ Posts: 9,233member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TheWhiteFalcon View Post





    That'd be the trick: ONE bag would have Apple products in it, the rest would be loaded with Galaxy crap. The lucky winner gets the Apple bag.

    So don't run it in Commiefornia.



    It is practically criminal and anti-American how many forms for gambling and games of skill are illegal many places in the US.

     

    I haven't been able to play a decent poker game online in many years! Last time I played online for real cash, I was out of the country, playing on a foreign account in a foreign country. How I spend my own money is my own damn business! I don't need any fascist politicians making things like poker illegal!

  • Reply 20 of 38
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,033member

    No, the 'droid fanbois would start claiming that the Samsung lucky bags were the grand prizes and the Apple lucky bag was in fact the booby prize.

     

    Too confusing for 'Merikuh, people would start suing Apple, protesting in the streets, blame the current administration, et cetera.

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