I found the Miami Charge today! We spent what felt like hours at a bar called Tobacco Road. Everything felt so surreal. Hopefully my story might help those looking the last few cities.
First of all, all of my strategic planning fell through. We had assumed that the corporate Verizon stores would at least be in the loop, so we found the only store on the map, and decided to stay in that area. It turns out Verizon employees know absolutely nothing. Only one employee even knew of the scavenger hunt going on in their city. We got there very early, and drove back and forth for 5 hours or so.
When the location was tweeted, we were on the wrong side of town. We took a mad 15 minute dash on the road. When we hit traffic, I had my girlfriend take the car, and I sprinted to the location. There were about 8 people already looking for the phone. 8 more people showed up while I was there. It ended up taking us another 20 minutes before we actually found it. Ironically, all of us must have touched it at least once. It was taped under some coasters sitting on an empty table, so simple.
I tried to remember some tips I found around the internet. Most importantly, watch who the camera guy is focusing on. He would pan around, but always focus on the guy who was closest. Also, there were little hidden cameras around the hide. I didn't know what it was at first, but it made so much sense after. Lastly, they all seem to be in a pretty obvious hiding spot. We all seriously passed over it more than once. Under the coasters just seemed too easy I guess. They had to tweet us another clue before I thought to check again.
After I found it, I had cameras all over me. Apparently, they had a bunch people waiting in plain clothes around the bar and outside. We found out that none of these guys were Verizon reps. They work for the marking company Verizon hired to put on the hunt. They had everyone sign video releases and gave away $50 Verizon gift cards. They got a photo-op of me recieving the phone, then everyone got a chance to play with it. The camera guy ran around taking video of me and other participants, then pulled me outside for an interview. They best part was after about 45 minutes of pictures and interviews, they told me I don't actually get to keep the phone. They took it back and said they'll mail me one when the Charge is actually released.
What a day. Feel free to PM me if anyone has any questions. I named dropped Phandroid in one of the interviews. Just maybe that will make it into the Youtube video.
