The Seinfeld "bottle scam" - GoFuckYourself.com

SmokeyTheBear · 02-12-2011, 11:41 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110211/...us_bottle_scam

A memorable "Seinfeld" episode features Kramer and Newman taking thousands of cans and bottles to Michigan so they can get a nickel more per container than they would in New York, but beverage distributors say there's nothing funny when it happens for real.
In Maine, which has a more expansive bottle-redemption law than neighboring states, three people have been accused of illegally cashing in more than 100,000 out-of-state bottles and cans for deposits, the first time criminal charges have been filed in the state over bottle-refund fraud, a prosecutor said.

An estimated 90 million cans and bottles are fraudulently cashed in each year in Maine, costing beverage distributors $8 million to $10 million, said Newell Augur, executive director of the Maine Beverage Association.

---------------------------

funny thing is

" Containers sold in other states, however, carry the Maine deposit stamp because it's not cost-effective to change labeling for each state. "

so the beverage companies create the problem by putting the maine deposit stamp on all containers because its too expensive to only put it on maine containers.

So they are wasting taxpayer money to prosecute people for something the beverage companies don't even care about because it isn't cost effective for them.

CDSmith · 02-12-2011, 01:18 PM

99 thousand bottles and cans
99thousandbottles and canss
at ten cents a bottle
and ten cents a can
we're pulling in $500 dollars a man!

Yes, I remember that episode well. As I recall it didn't end quite the way those two boobs expected.

alias · 02-12-2011, 01:28 PM

bottle-refund fraud fuck

woj · 02-12-2011, 01:40 PM

how is that fraud? sounds like any other biz, buy low, sell high...

abshard · 02-12-2011, 02:09 PM

Wow i collect my cans here in AZ and when i go to CA to visit family i bring my cans to sell i didnt know i can get arrested for that.

WarChild · 02-12-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woj

how is that fraud? sounds like any other biz, buy low, sell high...

It's fraud because you are supposed to be getting the deposit you made on the bottle or can when you bought it back. So if you paid $.05 as a deposit in NY and drove to another state and redeemed it for a $.10 depost you have defrauded the recylcing system out of $.05

woj · 02-12-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarChild

It's fraud because you are supposed to be getting the deposit you made on the bottle or can when you bought it back. So if you paid $.05 as a deposit in NY and drove to another state and redeemed it for a $.10 depost you have defrauded the recylcing system out of $.05

so if you found a bottle on the street and redeemed it would be fraud too? You didn't buy that bottle, and are getting back someone else's deposit = fraud?

candyflip · 02-12-2011, 02:49 PM

I used to drive from NY to MI to visit a girlfriend in college. I'd load up my trunk with all the empties and cash them in once I got to MI for double back.

WarChild · 02-12-2011, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woj

so if you found a bottle on the street and redeemed it would be fraud too? You didn't buy that bottle, and are getting back someone else's deposit = fraud?

No because you are getting the deposit that was paid on that bottle. Somebody paid the bottle deposit when they bought. If they decide to discard it and not return it, it's not fraud for you to return it.

Think of it like this. You are returning the bottle for the deposit paid on it. If you return it for a larger sum of money than the deposit that was paid on it, you're defrauding the system.

BlackCrayon · 02-12-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarChild

No because you are getting the deposit that was paid on that bottle. Somebody paid the bottle deposit when they bought. If they decide to discard it and not return it, it's not fraud for you to return it.

Think of it like this. You are returning the bottle for the deposit paid on it. If you return it for a larger sum of money than the deposit that was paid on it, you're defrauding the system.

what if the discarded bottle came from another state with a lower deposit?

either way, its dumb. make despoits all the same or accept the fact that its going to happen from time to time. i do it all the time here. buy in quebec 5 cent deposit, sell in ontario, get 10 cents.

SmokeyTheBear · 02-12-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackCrayon

what if the discarded bottle came from another state with a lower deposit?

either way, its dumb. make despoits all the same or accept the fact that its going to happen from time to time. i do it all the time here. buy in quebec 5 cent deposit, sell in ontario, get 10 cents.

in the article they explain that they can simply label the ones made in maine and avoid the whole problem, but it would cost more to label them properly than the amount they lose to people who double dip.

ShellyCrash · 02-12-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyTheBear

funny thing is

" Containers sold in other states, however, carry the Maine deposit stamp because it's not cost-effective to change labeling for each state. "

so the beverage companies create the problem by putting the maine deposit stamp on all containers because its too expensive to only put it on maine containers.

So they are wasting taxpayer money to prosecute people for something the beverage companies don't even care about because it isn't cost effective for them.

I couldn't agree with you more. If it's costing the beverage companies $$ and preventing the fraud is 100% in the beverage companies hands.. if it's not cost effective for them to prevent it the state should come back to the beverage companies that it's not cost effective for them to prosecute it.

Warren · 02-12-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyTheBear

in the article they explain that they can simply label the ones made in maine and avoid the whole problem, but it would cost more to label them properly than the amount they lose to people who double dip.

Exactly. how would anyone know that it's illegal to cash in a can/bottle whatever in Maine, if it was bought in another state.

It clearly states here in California at least, that the redeem value is double in Maine, nowhere on the lable does it say it's illegal to redeem the deposit in Maine.

The whole thing has no merit and I suspect will be thrown out of court.

Image going on a state wide road trip, with a bunch of friends in a camper van, save all the empties and cash them in in Maine, not knowing you are breaking a law.

Buba would love that story lol.

u-Bob · 02-12-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarChild

No because you are getting the deposit that was paid on that bottle. Somebody paid the bottle deposit when they bought. If they decide to discard it and not return it, it's not fraud for you to return it.

Think of it like this. You are returning the bottle for the deposit paid on it. If you return it for a larger sum of money than the deposit that was paid on it, you're defrauding the system.

If you found the bottle on the side of the road, then how are you supposed to know in what state the bottle was bought and how much of that recycling tax thing was ever paid on it?

WarChild · 02-12-2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by u-Bob

If you found the bottle on the side of the road, then how are you supposed to know in what state the bottle was bought and how much of that recycling tax thing was ever paid on it?

Look I don't make the laws, I'm just explaining them. Here's the definition of Fraud:

Quote:

A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain.

Maybe you can figure out by yourself which element is missing from your scenario.

CDSmith · 02-13-2011, 12:36 PM

I'm sure these people who find and collect tens of thousands of disgarded bottles and cans find a lot of those left on the streets as litter (because there are a lot of piglets walking around out there thinking the world is their toilet). These people picking up this litter are doing society a service, thus I see very little wrong with them choosing the highest paying vendor to go to for deposit money.

Hey, the problem exists because of the bottling/deposit system itself. If they had a uniform deposit across all states and provinces there would BE no issue at all. Offering 5 cents more in the next state is, by human nature, going to attract some scavengers to make the trip for the extra payout. Calling it "fraud" and complaining about it is just, well, stupid.

Either fix the problem or shut up about it I say.

TCLGirls · 02-13-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren

Exactly. how would anyone know that it's illegal to cash in a can/bottle whatever in Maine, if it was bought in another state.

It clearly states here in California at least, that the redeem value is double in Maine, nowhere on the lable does it say it's illegal to redeem the deposit in Maine.

The whole thing has no merit and I suspect will be thrown out of court.

Image going on a state wide road trip, with a bunch of friends in a camper van, save all the empties and cash them in in Maine, not knowing you are breaking a law.

Buba would love that story lol.

The assumption you are making is that a person necessarily needs to have knowledge about a certain law in order for that person to break that law.

That is an erroneous assumption.

kazbalah · 02-13-2011, 01:49 PM

I think i am in the wrong business.. big money in cans

Evil Chris · 02-13-2011, 01:52 PM

When I was a kid, a bottle of pop was 25 cents. 15 for the pop, and 10 for the bottle.

If I only had 15 cents on me, they'd let me drink it there and give the bottle right back.

ottopottomouse · 02-13-2011, 02:18 PM

Hasn't been deposits on bottles here for a loooooong time but I can remember doing quite well out of returning bottles other people were too lazy to take back when i was about 8 or 9

Si · 02-13-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottopottomouse

Hasn't been deposits on bottles here for a loooooong time but I can remember doing quite well out of returning bottles other people were too lazy to take back when i was about 8 or 9

I never remember having that in the UK. You must be old

just playing, could have been around when I was young but never knew of it.

I quite like the deposit system though. I'm in NB Canada, certain cans are 5c or 10c deposit here, but 20c deposit in quebec. Could make a nice little earner off them.

But anyway,

It's almost like a bonus taking them back, some neighbours even use them for charitable causes, like after xmas they come round and take anyone's empties and put them into a fund for anyone who needs emergency treatment or whatever that can't afford it.

As for the making a bit extra taking them elsewhere, I say fuck it why not!

ottopottomouse · 02-14-2011, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si

I never remember having that in the UK. You must be old

just playing, could have been around when I was young but never knew of it.

36

I think they were Schweppes bottles and i'm sure it was a 10p deposit on 1 litre which seemed a lot at the time and I could never understand other people being so lazy they would rather I got the deposit than walk back to the shop themselves.

02-12-2011, 11:41 AM	#1
SmokeyTheBear ►SouthOfHeaven Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: PlanetEarth MyBoardRank: GerbilMaster My-Penis-Size: extralarge MyWeapon: Computer Posts: 28,609	The Seinfeld "bottle scam" http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110211/...us_bottle_scam A memorable "Seinfeld" episode features Kramer and Newman taking thousands of cans and bottles to Michigan so they can get a nickel more per container than they would in New York, but beverage distributors say there's nothing funny when it happens for real. In Maine, which has a more expansive bottle-redemption law than neighboring states, three people have been accused of illegally cashing in more than 100,000 out-of-state bottles and cans for deposits, the first time criminal charges have been filed in the state over bottle-refund fraud, a prosecutor said. An estimated 90 million cans and bottles are fraudulently cashed in each year in Maine, costing beverage distributors $8 million to $10 million, said Newell Augur, executive director of the Maine Beverage Association. --------------------------- funny thing is " Containers sold in other states, however, carry the Maine deposit stamp because it's not cost-effective to change labeling for each state. " so the beverage companies create the problem by putting the maine deposit stamp on all containers because its too expensive to only put it on maine containers. So they are wasting taxpayer money to prosecute people for something the beverage companies don't even care about because it isn't cost effective for them. __________________ hatisblack at yahoo.com

02-12-2011, 01:18 PM	#2
CDSmith Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Location: My network is hosted at TECHIEMEDIA.net ...Wait, you meant where am I located at? Oh... okay, I'm in Winnipeg, Canada. Oops. :) Posts: 51,460	99 thousand bottles and cans 99thousandbottles and canss at ten cents a bottle and ten cents a can we're pulling in $500 dollars a man! Yes, I remember that episode well. As I recall it didn't end quite the way those two boobs expected. __________________ *Promote Wildmatch, ImLive, Sexier.com, and more!!* ALWAYS THE HIGHEST PAYOUTS: Big Bux/ImLive SIGNUP ON NOW!!! Put some PUSSYCA$H in your pocket. ICQ me at: 31024634

02-12-2011, 01:28 PM	#3
alias aliasx Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 19,010	bottle-refund fraud fuck __________________ https://porncorporation.com

02-12-2011, 01:40 PM	#4
woj <&(©¿©)&> Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 47,882	how is that fraud? sounds like any other biz, buy low, sell high... __________________ Custom Software Development, email: woj#at#wojfun#.#com to discuss details or skype: wojl2000 or gchat: wojfun or telegram: wojl2000 Affiliate program tools: Hosted Galleries Manager Banner Manager Video Manager Wordpress Affiliate Plugin Pic/Movie of the Day Fansign Generator Zip Manager

02-12-2011, 02:49 PM	#8
candyflip Carpe Visio Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New York Posts: 43,063	I used to drive from NY to MI to visit a girlfriend in college. I'd load up my trunk with all the empties and cash them in once I got to MI for double back. __________________ Spend you some brain. Email Me

02-12-2011, 02:09 PM	#5
abshard Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 6,361	Wow i collect my cans here in AZ and when i go to CA to visit family i bring my cans to sell i didnt know i can get arrested for that.

02-13-2011, 12:36 PM	#16
CDSmith Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Location: My network is hosted at TECHIEMEDIA.net ...Wait, you meant where am I located at? Oh... okay, I'm in Winnipeg, Canada. Oops. :) Posts: 51,460	I'm sure these people who find and collect tens of thousands of disgarded bottles and cans find a lot of those left on the streets as litter (because there are a lot of piglets walking around out there thinking the world is their toilet). These people picking up this litter are doing society a service, thus I see very little wrong with them choosing the highest paying vendor to go to for deposit money. Hey, the problem exists because of the bottling/deposit system itself. If they had a uniform deposit across all states and provinces there would BE no issue at all. Offering 5 cents more in the next state is, by human nature, going to attract some scavengers to make the trip for the extra payout. Calling it "fraud" and complaining about it is just, well, stupid. Either fix the problem or shut up about it I say. __________________ *Promote Wildmatch, ImLive, Sexier.com, and more!!* ALWAYS THE HIGHEST PAYOUTS: Big Bux/ImLive SIGNUP ON NOW!!! Put some PUSSYCA$H in your pocket. ICQ me at: 31024634

02-13-2011, 01:49 PM	#18
kazbalah Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 1,215	I think i am in the wrong business.. big money in cans __________________ Link Directory Submitter - Forum Auto Submitter - Article Submitter - Simple SE submitter - Blog Auto Poster - 45 Wordpress Themes - Mis Spelt Keyword Generator - Auto Forum Submitter

02-13-2011, 01:52 PM	#19
Evil Chris OG Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 3rd from the Sun Posts: 13,233	When I was a kid, a bottle of pop was 25 cents. 15 for the pop, and 10 for the bottle. If I only had 15 cents on me, they'd let me drink it there and give the bottle right back. __________________ It PAYZE to post on GFY chris at payze.com \| Skype chriswrp

02-13-2011, 02:18 PM	#20
ottopottomouse She is ugly, bad luck. Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 13,177	Hasn't been deposits on bottles here for a loooooong time but I can remember doing quite well out of returning bottles other people were too lazy to take back when i was about 8 or 9 __________________ ↑ see post ↑ 13101