Pepsi, where is my jet?

To all AP's out there you need to watch this documentary on Netflix "Pepsi, where is my jet?".

This was the ultimate AP play and Pepsi completely screwed this guy. I had never heard about this but in the 1990's Pepsi had an earn and redeem promotion and completely screwed this guy. I hate to say it, but this made me emotional because of the way this AP got screwed

I remember this story as a kid.

I collected Pepsi points. Would ride my bike around the neighborhood on recycling day and cut them off of 2 liters and 12/24 pack boxes (assuming the person recycling them hadn’t already done so). I guess you could say I was a young dumpster diver.

I think I ended up redeeming them for a pair of sunglasses and a reclining beach chair.

I have not seen it, but based off the title, I am assuming its regarding the Harrier case from the 90s. Very interesting story, it's cool Netflix made a documentary of it.

Honestly, my impression is that the kid was out for a lawsuit (knowing that Pepsi cannot possibly deliver a Harrier) and was trying to pressure them into a cash settlement. I don't think he really wanted a Pepsi Harrier. They returned his check (that he attempted to buy the points with), so I don't think Pepsi completely screwed him.

I'll have to watch it at some point, its probably well made, especially if it's just a single movie, and not one of those 10-part documentaries that drags on far longer than it needs to (which Netflix is sometimes guilty of).

Quote: Gandler

I have not seen it, but based off the title, I am assuming its regarding the Harrier case from the 90s. Very interesting story, it's cool Netflix made a documentary of it.

Honestly, my impression is that the kid was out for a lawsuit (knowing that Pepsi cannot possibly deliver a Harrier) and was trying to pressure them into a cash settlement. I don't think he really wanted a Pepsi Harrier. They returned his check (that he attempted to buy the points with), so I don't think Pepsi completely screwed him.

I'll have to watch it at some point, its probably well made, especially if it's just a single movie, and not one of those 10-part documentaries that drags on far longer than it needs to (which Netflix is sometimes guilty of).
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As I said, I did not know about this story. The Netflix show is four episodes and based on it I don't think the kid was out for a payment.

Quote: DRich

Quote: Gandler

I have not seen it, but based off the title, I am assuming its regarding the Harrier case from the 90s. Very interesting story, it's cool Netflix made a documentary of it.

Honestly, my impression is that the kid was out for a lawsuit (knowing that Pepsi cannot possibly deliver a Harrier) and was trying to pressure them into a cash settlement. I don't think he really wanted a Pepsi Harrier. They returned his check (that he attempted to buy the points with), so I don't think Pepsi completely screwed him.

I'll have to watch it at some point, its probably well made, especially if it's just a single movie, and not one of those 10-part documentaries that drags on far longer than it needs to (which Netflix is sometimes guilty of).
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As I said, I did not know about this story. The Netflix show is four episodes and based on it I don't think the kid was out for a payment.
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I mean he was a fulltime student that got money from investors if I recall correctly to send the 600k. What were they planning on doing if they got a Harrier, park it in their dorm? It was clearly an investment opportunity, they would either sell the plane (many millions) or hope for a cash offer (or hope for a lawsuit if neither were granted). There is no way they wanted the plane as a collectable or for personal use.

If Pepsi was really out to screw him, they could have cashed the check, and just awarded the points and forced him to use the points on merchandise that was actually listed on the points catalogue.

Pepsi’s argument, which the judge agreed with, is that no one would reasonably believe that the commercial was an actual offer for a jet.

I disagree. The ad was targeted towards children. Seven year old me and my friends definitely thought the jet was attainable if you got enough points.

Further, the documentary revealed the commercial originally said the jet was 700,000,000 points, but they changed it to 7,000,000 to seem more attainable.

It’s hard to have a ton of sympathy for the plaintiff, though. Pepsi offered to settle for something like $300k in 90’s dollars, which he declined and ended up getting nothing.

Quote: DRich

To all AP's out there you need to watch this documentary on Netflix "Pepsi, where is my jet?".

This was the ultimate AP play and Pepsi completely screwed this guy. I had never heard about this but in the 1990's Pepsi had an earn and redeem promotion and completely screwed this guy. I hate to say it, but this made me emotional because of the way this AP got screwed
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I did watch that. I definitely liked it, but some of it was a little boring. Supposedly there's a lesson to be learned in watching this.

I didn't watch much TV during the '90s, but that's one commercial that I remember.

Coke is way better tasting than Pepsi. Canned soda is the best. I know people love the taste of glass bottles but I think that's a mental thing. Real-sugar Mexican soft drinks SUCK it tastes like diet soda to me.

Quote: gamerfreak

Pepsi’s argument, which the judge agreed with, is that no one would reasonably believe that the commercial was an actual offer for a jet.

I disagree. The ad was targeted towards children. Seven year old me and my friends definitely thought the jet was attainable if you got enough points.

Further, the documentary revealed the commercial originally said the jet was 700,000,000 points, but they changed it to 7,000,000 to seem more attainable.

It’s hard to have a ton of sympathy for the plaintiff, though. Pepsi offered to settle for something like $300k in 90’s dollars, which he declined and ended up getting nothing.
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I thought it was a million they were offered? Whatever the case, I don't know why they didn't counteroffer. It seems as if they wanted the jet/equal value, or nothing.

Quote: DRich

To all AP's out there you need to watch this documentary on Netflix "Pepsi, where is my jet?".

This was the ultimate AP play and Pepsi completely screwed this guy. I had never heard about this but in the 1990's Pepsi had an earn and redeem promotion and completely screwed this guy. I hate to say it, but this made me emotional because of the way this AP got screwed
link to original post

Thanks I am watching it now based on your recommendation

Quote: gamerfreak

Pepsi’s argument, which the judge agreed with, is that no one would reasonably believe that the commercial was an actual offer for a jet.

I disagree. The ad was targeted towards children. Seven year old me and my friends definitely thought the jet was attainable if you got enough points.

Further, the documentary revealed the commercial originally said the jet was 700,000,000 points, but they changed it to 7,000,000 to seem more attainable.

It’s hard to have a ton of sympathy for the plaintiff, though. Pepsi offered to settle for something like $300k in 90’s dollars, which he declined and ended up getting nothing.
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According to the plaintiff, they were offered 750k-1 million. The kid said he wanted the jet. They allegedly had some sort of plan for it.