Annual 'Lucky Bags' Coming to Japanese Apple Stores on January 2

[MacRumors]

During the new year in Japan, retailers often offer a Fukubukuro, or "mystery bag," which is a grab bag that is filled with a random assortment of products sold at a steep discount.

Apple has participated in this tradition for several years, and will once again be offering its "Lucky Bag" in seven different Japanese Apple stores on January 2.

Lucky Bags, which Apple sells for 33,000 yen or $390, traditionally contain items like iPods, headphones, and t-shirts. A few fortunate folks, however, have received big ticket items in previous years, like MacBook Airs or iPads, which have made Lucky Bags ultra popular in Japan.

Apple's grab bags are sold as is, and returns are not accepted unless a product is defective. Still, the bags have been quick sellers in previous years.

According to Tech in Asia, people begin to line up the night before in order to get their hands on a bag, as the sale is similar to Black Friday.

Unfortunately, you'll have to get in line very early if want one of these Lucky Bags. People typically begin lining up at the Apple store on the night before, so if you show up in the morning, and still manage to secure a bag -- well, consider yourself lucky. I tried a couple of years ago, but walked away disappointed.

Like Apple's 12 Days of Christmas, this promotion is regionally limited to Japanese customers, though other countries, like China, may see the same traditional Apple Store sales during the new year.

Article Link: Annual 'Lucky Bags' Coming to Japanese Apple Stores on January 2

[Hakone]

I'd love to go but I don't have a car...

[Dr McKay]

Originally Posted by Hakone

I'd love to go but I don't have a car...

Considering you live in California, are you referring to this car?

[TheHateMachine]

Wonder what the odds are on these things. I bet Apple makes a killing off of this gambling system.

[macs4nw]

Feeling lucky, anyone? Worst case scenario, some extra gifts.

[eda]

Such a cool idea, wish they did them elsewhere!

[xFerrr]

yeah! page updated again!
And, I don't believe in this "gift", of course they did math to get way more income than they should.

[ArtOfWarfare]

It would be interesting to hear how many people just end up with gift cards or other it-cost-Apple-less-than-$400-to-make-the-contents bags.

I would imagine that many customers win. Apple is banking on the halo effect - if you own one Apple product, you're likely to buy more from them. Easy example: if you end up with an iOS device in your bag, you're likely to purchase media for it from iTunes. Apple collects 30% of each purchase you make on the store.

[srxtr]

I'd love this

[BlueParadox]

With everything so very globally connected these days, this could no doubt be popular outside of Japan - Australia, for example.

A win win, in a way, as one could be after one or all of the items contained within the bag, or one could use the contents for gifts, or one could sell some or all the stuff within a bag.

[CodeBreaker]

Now where did I keep my X-ray goggles?

[TouchMint.com]

Yea seems pretty sweet id grab one.

[caligomez]

APPLE, Y U No Do This Here?!!

[kas23]

I already got a lucky bag.

[needfx]

I can't imagine the disappointment of an empty bag...

[840quadra]

Reminds me of a lockbox contained within one of the MMOs I frequently play. The Apple version appears to be more worth the money though!

[wordoflife]

This is cool, I want to do this sometime.

[hamkor04]

Originally Posted by eda

Such a cool idea, wish they did them elsewhere!

There are so many "mystery bags" in UK especially in London, only differents is you can't find them as soon as you handle your money

[pablo7]

Thanks again Apple for not including (screwing) U.S. customers in this promo.

[pnoyblazed]

I would love to see pics of this year's lucky bags

[weckart]

Originally Posted by eda

Such a cool idea, wish they did them elsewhere!

Apple did one when it opened the first few Apple Stores. I queued up for one when Regent St opened. There was a predictable surge and I lost my place and missed out by about one or two places in the end.

I felt a lot better when I saw the contents of the lucky bag (holdall) as it was full of crap. Hardly anyone got an iPod and most just got the JBL OnStage iPod dock, T Shirt, random software nobody wanted (guide to London, I think) plus unmemorable small bits of tut. All that for the best part of £300.

[puma1552]

most people here forgot that this isnt an apple only thing, but rather common practice for many japanese retailers.

when in rome...

[edwurtle]

Most states will not allow such a grab bag offer. It's a form of gambling and states tend to try to control gambling. This is why all those US promotions must have a mail in "no purchase necessary" option. Even then some states don't allow promotions that involve chance.

[zin]

Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

It would be interesting to hear how many people just end up with gift cards or other it-cost-Apple-less-than-$400-to-make-the-contents bags.

If I remember from last year, the contents of the bags always are at least more than $400 if you were to buy them separately. So the consumer isn't losing out in any way.

But it probably costs Apple much less than $400 for the majority (if not all) of the bags.

[Thunderhawks]

Originally Posted by weckart

Apple did one when it opened the first few Apple Stores. I queued up for one when Regent St opened. There was a predictable surge and I lost my place and missed out by about one or two places in the end.

I felt a lot better when I saw the contents of the lucky bag (holdall) as it was full of crap. Hardly anyone got an iPod and most just got the JBL OnStage iPod dock, T Shirt, random software nobody wanted (guide to London, I think) plus unmemorable small bits of tut. All that for the best part of £300.

According to an analyst there were two lines:

1) Lucky Bag

2) Unlucky bag
Are you sure you didn't look into a bag from this queue?