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

[Lord Sidious]

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 disagree.

The Raffles and Giveaway are done in good spirit for us - the fans who support US. It is the only way for US to give "something back" in a fun way and in a fair way. They don't have to do it. Equally, you don't have to participate. I just cannot see how fans are worse off under the Raffle and Giveaways.

[Kraxtor]

First, thank you all for your feedback!  It really is helpful to me, and I appreciate your time.  (Points forthcoming.)

I think the raffles are awesome!  And there's no 'losing', there's only 'not winning'.  If I buy a saber I was planning to buy anyway, and it happens that I purchase during a raffle and I don't win, then I really haven't lost anything.  I've still bought and still have the great saber I wanted.

I also think the giveaway is great!  A free saber is a gift, and I'm certain those of us who order during this time will be glad for it.

Currently for me, I think I'd rather have a guaranteed additional free saber, rather than a chance at something greater.  If for no other reason, I'd have a saber I could tinker with without fear of damaging one of my higher end models.

I have a new question though.  If they are true to the 'initiate' giveaway, there are 12 sabers with 'initiate' in the name.  Of those, only the Initiate V4, Dark Initiate V4, and Initiate LE V4 are currently in stock.  Each other hilt (DI V2, I V2, DI V3, I V3, DI LE V2, I LE V2, DI LE V3, I LE V3, DI LE V4) is out of stock, at least for order.  If (and this is a BIG if) the free initiate is from available stock, then we get one of three sabers.

Now, there are other sabers in the "initiate family" (who come default with 24" blades), the Apprentice V4, Dark Apprentice V4, Apprentice LE V4, and Dark Apprentice LE V4, all of which are in stock.  If those are included as well (and going by the big assumption above) then there are 7 hilts from which we could be awarded.  

I like all of those hilts (my first and so far only purchase was a DA LE V4 w/ Obsidian V4 sound, review http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=29352.msg433516#msg433514).  So, given the assumption above, I think I'll purchase during this giveaway.  I don't know if they have Initiates to give away that they don't have listed as in-stock, or if they include the Apprentices, or if they will include perhaps discontinued versions of other initiate hilts.  But I do know that a stunt saber in the hand is worth more to me than a chance at two higher end ones later.

My mind is made up!  Again, thank you for your feedback.  If you read any additional details regarding the types of sabers or the classes, or have proof for or against my assumptions above, I would greatly appreciate you sharing that information!

And again, MTFBWYA.

[marina_bonomi]

I'm not sure, I tend to divide the shorter hilts into 'the Initiate family' and 'the Apprentice family'... Keep in mind that US may have some hilts in-house which are listed as 'out of stock', just because the numbers aren't high enough to warrant changing the status on the main site (proof: some people ordered 'out of stock' hilts and had their order ship in 1-2 days).

If you want to know whether Apprentices are included, you could take advantage of the live chat, I did, a couple of times, and found them unfailingly helpful.

[BeaverFever502]

Hey I new to the place and the saber scene in general! I don't mean to hijack the topic, as I did create my own, however my question is relevant to this topic.

Can someone tell me if the Initiate giveaway is a random Initiate or if I get to choose hilt and blade color at least? I put a saber together to get for my wife, and made sure to hit the $300 so I could get the Initiate for free for my son! His B-day is in April, and we are getting these sabers, costumes, and tickets to our first Comic Con!

Anyways, I added the $300+ to the cart, entered the code, and it just added a "Free Initiate included -0.01". I don't want to proceed to checkout and miss a step or something...

Thanks for the help, I hope he can get his Red saber he wants (the Dark Side is strong in this house).

[BeaverFever502]

I'm not sure, I tend to divide the shorter hilts into 'the Initiate family' and 'the Apprentice family'... Keep in mind that US may have some hilts in-house which are listed as 'out of stock', just because the numbers aren't high enough to warrant changing the status on the main site (proof: some people ordered 'out of stock' hilts and had their order ship in 1-2 days).

If you want to know whether Apprentices are included, you could take advantage of the live chat, I did, a couple of times, and found them unfailingly helpful.

*UPDATE*

FREE INITIATE SABER IS A RANDOM GRAB BAG SABER! It can be any blade color, and version of the saber (v2,3,4), and any finish (Dark, CE, LE etc).

[Kraxtor]

*UPDATE*

FREE INITIATE SABER IS A RANDOM GRAB BAG SABER! It can be any blade color, and version of the saber (v2,3,4), and any finish (Dark, CE, LE etc).

Thanks for the info!  Can you tell me where you got this information?

[Kraxtor]

If you want to know whether Apprentices are included, you could take advantage of the live chat, I did, a couple of times, and found them unfailingly helpful.

Thanks Marina!  I've seen the live chat window pop up sometimes, but not others.  I can't seem to find a way to trigger it when I want.  I did, however, email them.  I've had good results (within 3 days) from emailing before.

Any clarification updates I get, I'll post in this thread.

[marina_bonomi]

Thanks Marina!  I've seen the live chat window pop up sometimes, but not others.  I can't seem to find a way to trigger it when I want.  I did, however, email them.  I've had good results (within 3 days) from emailing before.

Any clarification updates I get, I'll post in this thread.

You're welcome! I wondered about the pop up window too, then I noticed a green 'chat live' line on the main US page (just above 'Ultrasabers Holocron). I just checked, if you click on it a message window opens up.

Too late for this issue, but maybe useful later on.

[Kraxtor]

I received a same day response from US customer support via email (how great is that?!)

From the email:
Thank you for your interest in Ultrasabers. The Free Initiate promotion would be for a single “Initiate” model stunt saber and “Apprentice” models would not be included in this promotion; sorry about that. It will be a random Initiate saber with a 24” blade in a random color.

And, as Marina wrote:

... Keep in mind that US may have some hilts in-house which are listed as 'out of stock', just because the numbers aren't high enough to warrant changing the status on the main site (proof: some people ordered 'out of stock' hilts and had their order ship in 1-2 days).

So, only hilts with 'Initiate' in the title, random initiate hilt (could be one listed as out of stock), random color, 24" blade, stunt saber (no sound) confirmed.

Again, thanks all!

[BeaverFever502]

I received a same day response from US customer support via email (how great is that?!)

From the email:
Thank you for your interest in Ultrasabers. The Free Initiate promotion would be for a single “Initiate” model stunt saber and “Apprentice” models would not be included in this promotion; sorry about that. It will be a random Initiate saber with a 24” blade in a random color.

And, as Marina wrote:
So, only hilts with 'Initiate' in the title, random initiate hilt (could be one listed as out of stock), random color, 24" blade, stunt saber (no sound) confirmed.

Again, thanks all!

Looks like you found it before I could say more! Good deal, glad to pass on what I know

[Kraxtor]

And, I've placed my order.  Too tempting to resist.  Pics to follow, including whatever my random free initiate is!

Archon v2.1, Guardian Blue, Normal Version Pommel, Obsidian V4 Sound, Silver Non-Illuminated AV Switch.

[Kraxtor]

UPDATE - The free initiate giveaway DOES include the "Apprentice" line!  I just got my Archon V2.1, and my free 'initiate' was, in fact, a Dark Apprentice V4 WITH Emitter Windows and a black non-illuminated AV switch in Consular Green (I think)!  Came with a 24" midgrade ultra-edge blade.  I'm at work, but I'll post pics later to:
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=29940.msg445806

[BurceChuat]

UPDATE - The free initiate giveaway DOES include the "Apprentice" line!  I just got my Archon V2.1, and my free 'initiate' was, in fact, a Dark Apprentice V4 WITH Emitter Windows and a black non-illuminated AV switch in Consular Green (I think)!  Came with a 24" midgrade ultra-edge blade.  I'm at work, but I'll post pics later to:
http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=29940.msg445806

http://www.saberforum.com/index.php?topic=29750.0