to be annoyed with Club Penguin for expecting me to buy a DS game to unlock something on the site

[MagLady]

My 4 year old son loves Club Penguin (his older sister got him into it). Owned by Disney their latest cynical marketing ploy is to have an item on the site that all the kids that play will want, (a puffle whistle on the EPF spy phone for those who are familiar with CP), that they can only use if they buy a DS game costing around £20 to get a code that will allow them to get it. I don't generally have a problem with them offering codes on products if it provides an extra, but this is a blatant attempt to generate pester power from kids to up the sales of this game. It makes me furious, a 4 year old doesn't understand the value of money - he just wants the whistle. (He thinks his 126 pennies he's got in his money box might buy it for him.) I've complained to Club Penguin, but just got a pat answer. I'm hoping other people will complain to them also so they think twice about doing it again.

Just tell him no. End of.

I agree, bad form on Disney's part. That being said (and my DD is only 12 weeks so I may not know what I'm talking about), have you never had to tell your son that he couldn't have something because it was too expensive before? In a shop, for example, if he's asked for something and been told "no"? I would guess that you'd be able to explain (to an extent) about money to a 4 year old?

He is used to being told no, happens all the time. (Although he is a master of nagging...). My annoyance is being put in that position by such a blatant piece of attempted coercion, and that my son should be disappointed on a site that you have to pay to be a member for. (I don't have a problem with paying for it, I just think that then he shouldn't have things thrust at him that he's not going to be allowed to have). I'm not naive, I know they are trying to increases sales, but I think it's rather immoral from a company that professes to be caring. I guess profit is king, and integrity goes out the window...

As you say, it's a business. It is how they earn money to pay for the lovely games which your child does like. I really don't see anything inherently wrong with it. (Though I can understand it is annoying).

I guess we'll have to 'agree to disagree' on this one.