Ever since I read The Gift of Fear, I’ve tried to be more discerning of my surroundings to separate non-threats from general weirdness. Still, if I were to see a dude with waxy-looking facial hair and gold chains who’s throwing up "finger guns" and dropping wads of cash, I’d steer clear. But starting tomorrow, if you see this guy doing the same, follow him closely.
From November 12-14, Burger King will be dropping a total of 5000 wallets "in high-traffic areas and landmarks around Chicago." The wallets will be filled with "a BK Crown Card pre-loaded with $5 to $20 and cold, hard cash ranging from $1 to $100." The money - and presumably, the wallet - is yours to keep if you find one. So if you’ve avoided all of Chicago’s finest tourist traps up to this point, now would be a fine time to strap on a fanny pack and work on making ends meet.
This is all fine and good, but I hope the King doesn’t try this in New York City. They arrest people for picking up wallets that aren’t theirs, even if you plan on finding the owners.
By the way, who do you think would win in a fight? The Burger King or Colonel Tribune?
UPDATE: So speaking of creepy, one of the editors here at TOC just got an overnight Fed Ex package delivered to her, which contained…one of the BK wallets. The wallet itself is a rather non-descript black faux-leather deal, though it’s nice enough looking to pass as your everyday billfold. Even if you discount all the goodies inside, it’s a decent find. Anyway, here’s a picture of all the goods inside.
As you can see there’s a fiver in there (the King’s mug is a sticker) along with a business card; some weird receipt from "Burger Bling," which is apparently where all Burger Kings shop for jewels; a gift card; a fake King ID and a sticker that says "Attention Would-Be Samaritan! Don’t worry about lost & found. the King wants you to keep this wallet and everything in it."
Lest you think that our coverage can be bought for a measly five bucks and a couple of burgers, I plan on dropping this on an El platform somewhere outside the TOC offices tonight. Smart people can probably figure out which stop (cough-RedLine-cough).
ah hahaha I would pay to see the Colonel Vrs the King !!!
I found one of these wallets! At a Chase ATM. Sadly, I only got $1 cash and a $5 gift card, but it is something. The wallet is pretty nice too, leather.
JC, what do the wallets look like? How do you discern whether it’s a BK wallet or one that the average person might have dropped?
The wallets have a drivers license registered to “Burger King Corporation” clearly displayed in them. Just picked one up on the UIC campus. The King was running around dropping them behind him.
I got one today!! It was so weird, I got off the bus and there it was on the street. I had no idea about this campaign and when I picked it up and saw the creepy Burger King on the ID I knew something was up. I only got $1 and a $5 gift card as well–I would guess that is the amount most of them have.
well HELL. I found 3 of those last night, had NO IDEA about this viral marketing thing. And now I also missed out on money. Dang.
haha, I found one at the corner of Halsted/Grand/Milwaukee yesterday morning
I picked up 3 near an L exit and nearly dropped them in a mailbox before someone stopped me and told me of the promo. I kept one & gave her the other two.
Black leather “fold in half” wallet with a red sticker inside that explains that it is a promo.