Initiate Giveaway or Next Raffle? When to buy my next saber...

[Kraxtor]

I'm thrilled with my first and only saber so far.  I didn't win a second saber from the spring raffle, and I need another to start light dueling at home.  I was just going to order a stunt, but I want an Archon V2.1. 

Now, we know there will be a second spring raffle from Deep's winners post:  http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=29192.msg440500#msg440500

I am please to announce that we will be doing a SECOND Spring Raffle.  No set time frame yet (except that it will be in the Spring).  My GUESS is early-mid April.

And, we know there is currently a promotion for a free initiate stunt saber with $300+ purchase.  Spec'd as I'd want, my Archon V2.1 lands just north of that figure.

The question is:  Do I wait for the next Spring Raffle and hope I win?  Or, do I go ahead and order now, knowing for a fact that I'll get a free initiate?

Feedback desired, welcomed, and encouraged.  Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!  MTFBWYA

[marina_bonomi]

Well, I was in a similar quandary a few days ago.

My raffle entry was my husband's birthday gift, we weren't among the lucky winners,  our next buy will be his gift for my birthday (a Dark Arbiter).

The next raffle tempted us, but with this promotion, instead, I could get a free initiate to pair with my grab-bag Apprentice and make a staff.

But... Ultrasabers usually does sales around May the Fourth, so I'll wait for that one, and, if it doesn't happen, for the next raffle.

[Prowl 1701]

I'm waiting for the next raffle myself.  It's a chance to win a really awesome hilt possibly even with sound, or even an unreleased exclusive.

[DarthDradeus]

Honestly, I have been debating this myself since I saw the sale start yesterday. I entered the last raffle and came up with nothing....now I'm hesitant on entering another raffle. It has nothing to do with Ultrasabers, the raffles are an awesome event that is not only fun, but it is a very great customer appreciation gesture from the good peeps at US. However, I always seem to never win anything and I'm not just talking about raffles So do I wait for the raffle and hope to win something or bet on a sure thing by getting a free initiate? I really have no idea but at least there is time to think...

[Bulvoy]

I'm waiting for the next raffle myself.  It's a chance to win a really awesome hilt possibly even with sound, or even an unreleased exclusive.

My thoughts exactly. Although your banned from the next raffle it's my turn to win j/k lol. Your collection  is getting even more massive better build an addition for just sabers alone.

[Vivectius]

Well, do you want a guaranteed random stunt Initiate or do you want the chance to win a saber with sound, possibly Emerald, possibly two, possibly a new unreleased saber, possibly a stunt Initiate?

That's the question.  Do you want a guarantee or a chance?

Personally, I've got two saber purchases to make.  Part of me is thinking one Initiate giveaway, one raffle entry.  But I'll most likely do two raffle entries.  Plus I'm two for two winning in raffles so far (1 4th place, 1 1st place). If I could pick which Initiate and which blade color, I'd probably go with that, but it's random on both based on what they have in stock.

[hazard502]

My opinion is that I'd wait for the raffles, but you must accept the chance of not getting something ... to me the adventure is worth the risk.

If you want to know you are getting more for your money, the Initiate promotion is the way to go.

[Ichthultu]

Unless you really just want an initiate....  on the otherhand, it is no gamble

On an unrelated note... The consecutive promos feels to be in poor business taste.  A free saber giveaway at a price point so close to the raffle a weekend apart could be easily interpreted with hesitation.  For all those who did not win in the raffle, yet met this giveaway pricepoint, I am sure an unintended sour feeling has arisen.  Certainly unjustified, as Ultrasabers is not obligated to offer these types of promotions.  But following the gamble for forumites with a general sale so quickly is just, awkward.

[Prowl 1701]

My thoughts exactly. Although your banned from the next raffle it's my turn to win j/k lol. Your collection  is getting even more massive better build an addition for just sabers alone.

Nah, can't ban me.   As several other has noticed I'm kind of the raffle guy, I'm usually pumped for a raffle to happen and often the first or second to post when a raffle thread appears.  I love the raffles.  As hazard said, the adventure is worth the risk.

[Bulvoy]

 @ Prowl 1701 Just rollin with the punches , LOL. On a seriosu note  I do admire your collection, and Appreciate your vast review posts.  I'll be chilling for a lil bit expense wise. Grabbed the Emerald menace & an  Initiate v4 with Obsidian Lite Sound for my daughter , plus some extra pommels , on the raffle, ( Saber Godz were not with me )
                      The Wifey would smack the crap outta me if i dove right back in, this soon  been crankin OT . have a trip to ST. Thomas coming up in May , so ill  just drooll over the eye candy for a little bit, Besides im patient,  however i see an Ashoka Tano themed saber go up, all bets are off !!!!!

[Darth Ausbr]

Personally I'd just buy now and get the initiate. You get the saber you want and a freebie without the luck of the draw. If you feel The Force is strong enough then by all means, wait for the raffle.

[Prowl 1701]

@ Prowl 1701 Just rollin with the punches , LOL. On a seriosu note  I do admire your collection, and Appreciate your vast review posts.  I'll be chilling for a lil bit expense wise. Grabbed the Emerald menace & an  Initiate v4 with Obsidian Lite Sound for my daughter , plus some extra pommels , on the raffle, ( Saber Godz were not with me )
                      The Wifey would smack the crap outta me if i dove right back in, this soon  been crankin OT . have a trip to ST. Thomas coming up in May , so ill  just drooll over the eye candy for a little bit, Besides im patient,  however i see an Ashoka Tano themed saber go up, all bets are off !!!!!

I hope the little one enjoys her Initiate V4!  Glad you find the reviews helpful.

[shade_1313]

Unless you really just want an initiate....  on the otherhand, it is no gamble

On an unrelated note... The consecutive promos feels to be in poor business taste.  A free saber giveaway at a price point so close to the raffle a weekend apart could be easily interpreted with hesitation.  For all those who did not win in the raffle, yet met this giveaway pricepoint, I am sure an unintended sour feeling has arisen.  Certainly unjustified, as Ultrasabers is not obligated to offer these types of promotions.  But following the gamble for forumites with a general sale so quickly is just, awkward.

I don't find it to be so at all.  During the raffle, I bought stuff that I wanted anyway, I didn't lose out on anything.  Now the question is, do I want a free Initiate along with something else that I want to buy anyway?  Maybe.  I guess it depends on how finances look after a big weekend away that we're doing at the end of the month.  But maybe I won't make this sale.  Do I blame the raffle for my having spent money and NOT won anything, when just after I could have spent money and gotten a free saber?  Not a bit.

[BurceChuat]

Unless you really just want an initiate....  on the otherhand, it is no gamble

On an unrelated note... The consecutive promos feels to be in poor business taste.  A free saber giveaway at a price point so close to the raffle a weekend apart could be easily interpreted with hesitation.  For all those who did not win in the raffle, yet met this giveaway pricepoint, I am sure an unintended sour feeling has arisen.  Certainly unjustified, as Ultrasabers is not obligated to offer these types of promotions.  But following the gamble for forumites with a general sale so quickly is just, awkward.

I see what you mean - it'd make a lot more sense if US had the free initiate and then the raffle, though that may be what they're trying to accomplish with this next raffle. It could be spun in a "Miss the free Initiate giveaway? Try your luck at our raffle!" kind of deal.

[Lord Sidious]

I would base on selfish Sith reasoning to encourage you to go for the Initiate Giveaway. This assumes you will therefore not participate in the next Raffle whereas I shall, thereby increasing my chances of winning. 

Seriously, US is giving away free sabers! Everyone is potentially a winner, in this case with the Initiate Giveaway, you are 100% certain "to win".