What $200,000 buys you in Vancouver

Perhaps (should you live here in eastern Canada) you have seen the Atlantic Lotteries television commercials advertising the “649 Atlantic” draws? The ads use the fact that $1,000,000 buys a lot more in Atlantic Canada than it does elsewhere in Canada. They’re pretty well done (here’s one you can watch online — it’s a 416KB Windows Media Player format file; there’s an associated print campaign too).

The truth of these ads wasn’t completely born out for me until brother Johnny sent me this MLS listing from Vancouver.

My favourite part is “Access to the property has not been given.” Followed closely by “Needs work.”

Comments

Johnny's picture
Johnny on June 2, 2003 - 21:43 Permalink

By way of clarification…. the link to the MLS listing for the delapidated Vancouver shithole did not come from me, but from my wife Jodi via me.

jodi's picture
jodi on June 3, 2003 - 00:16 Permalink

I think it has a certain charm, maybe we will seriously think of buying if they throw in the tire

Rob MacD's picture
Rob MacD on June 3, 2003 - 13:40 Permalink

I’m befuddled about the whole “649 Atlantic” concept. It’s still the same game (guess 6 of 49 numbers), so the odds of losing are still the same. Yet, the prize is substantially less than the ‘national’ version of the game. Or, am I missing something re: the rules of the Atlantic version? Is Atlantic Lottery banking on the *perception* of a greater chance to win because the number of people playing is less?

Cameraguy's picture
Cameraguy on June 3, 2003 - 18:28 Permalink

I’m with you, Rob. The same loonie can buy you a 6/49 ticket in Vancouver or in Charlottetown, with the same odds of winning. But the prize payout in Vancouver is much higher.

Alan's picture
Alan on June 3, 2003 - 18:35 Permalink

I don’t think it is actually one game but rather a series of identical games held throught th regions based on the same draw. Atlantic Lotto Co. runs it in the four eastern provinces. You cannot cash a winning ticket from outside Atlantic Canada in Atlantic Canada.

Ken's picture
Ken on June 3, 2003 - 19:53 Permalink

The less you know about Lotto the better for Lotto Co. who like to keep it light, stupid and daring.

Chris Corrigan's picture
Chris Corrigan on June 4, 2003 - 21:50 Permalink

I think the 200K is for the birdhouse, hanging off the left hand side of the porch roof.

And Watson Street is not exactly a truly delightful part of town.

Actually 200K is probably a little pricey even for the lot. Most of these little WW II stucco homes get dozed the minute there is a hint of upmarket gentrification action in the neighbourhood.