Deloitte Associate Exercises Powers of Persuasion; Scores Firm-Subsidized Xbox One

Apparently, an audit assistant at Deloitte has figured out a way for the firm to reimburse at least part of the cost of a new Xbox One under the guise of using it for fitness purposes. Let's watch him work his magic, starting with the first email he sent regarding the firm's subsidy program:

From: [Xbox One Guy]
Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2013 7:43 PM
To: US Health & Fitness
Subject: Subsidy Program

had a question regarding the subsidy program.  I noticed that the list is comprehensive, and that the item I am inquiring about is not currently listed.  There is a new Xbox system (Xbox One) coming out in November. The system comes packaged with the new Kinect system (not possible to buy separately), and loaded with a free Xbox Fitness App.  Within the app, users are able to access for free fully developed at-home fitness programs such as P90X, Insanity, Jillian Michaels workout vids, and more.  Furthermore, the programs within the Xbox Fitness app have been developed exclusively to work with the Xbox One and the Kinect 2.0 it comes packaged with, to track user movements and provide real-time feedback to the users form, heart rate, progress, etc.  This is only available on Xbox One, and considering the purchase price of the system, it is an incredible deal.  The price of the Kinect 2.0 and the system with the Fitness App is $500.  P90x and Insanity alone are $120 each.  As previous fitness tech (wii fit, Kinect, etc.) has been allowed in the program, I would expect this to be included as well?  As I said before, it is not possible to purchase the Kinect 2.0 or this fitness program separately from the Xbox One. Thus the purchase price of the system itself is the price needed to pay to access these features.  I think this would be an incredible addition to my home, and would love to see this added to the list of allowable items.  This new gear is far more effective and justifiable than previously allowed tech such as the Kinect for Xbox 360 and the Wii Fit. As it is not possible to segregate the cost of the system and the Kinect 2.0 and fitness features, I recommend that the purchase of an Xbox One be allowed as a reimbursable item. I have included a link to a basic overview of the program below.  Please respond as to whether or not this will be considered for the program, as I am eager to purchase one myself.

Thank you,

Sent from my Windows Phone

Notice the authoritative "I recommend that the purchase of an Xbox One be allowed as a reimbursable item" as if he actually has some kind of sway here. He's convincing, we'll give him that.

From: US Health & Fitness [which, just FYI, happens to be in India]
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 4:39 AM
To: [Xbox One Guy]
Subject: Subsidy Program

Hi [Xbox One Guy],

Thanks for your message.

In regards to your request below, only the Kinect hardware and any fitness focused games would be eligible for the subsidy. The Xbox itself is considered the gaming system console and will not be reimbursed. If the items are being sold together as a bundle, you can submit 50% of the regular MSRP of the Kinect hardware as listed online.

Do let us know of any queries.

Regards

Pravallika

Total Rewards

Deloitte Support Services India Pvt.Ltd

Well there goes that plan. But wait, he doesn't stop there. He must really take fitness seriously, you guys.

From: [XBox One Guy]
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 6:03 PM
To: US Health & Fitness
Subject: Subsidy Program

I appreciate the response. I understand that the cost of the gaming hardware is not reimbursable. However, the reason for my query is because I am not referring to the current Kinect and Xbox 360 hardware. These are easily identifiable separate and distinct costs. I am referring to the upcoming release of the next-generation hardware Xbox One and Kinect 2.0 . The new Kinect 2.0 is not the same as the current Kinect, as it features a wider field of view, advanced tracking technology to provide feedback for heart rate, users form during exercises, advanced IR scanning to allow users to use Kinect 2.0 in dark rooms, etc. This is currently not available on the market, but is being released in November alongside the Xbox One. However, the Kinect 2.0 hardware is not being sold separately at any point from the Xbox One. Nor is Microsoft granting access to the fitness programs to current users of the Xbox 360. You MUST purchase Xbox One to receive Kinect 2.0 and the gain access to the fitness program. Being as the Kinect 2.0 and the built-in fitness programs designed specifically for the Kinect 2.0 and Xbox One do not have separate or distinguishable MSRPs, the cost of the Xbox One is the MSRP for the benefit of using Kinect 2.0 and the fitness programs. To reimburse up to the cost of the current Kinect would not be accurate, as it is not the same. Microsoft has noted that the price of the Kinect 2.0 could be estimated to be roughly the price of the system itself. Since the fitness software and Kinect 2.0 are built-in to the cost of the system, the only way to keep it in harmony with the current standard of “fitness focused gaming hardware” is to reimburse for the entire system itself. I know this request is silly, and it sounds as if I just want to get a gaming system, but as I said before, the features and value being provided here are exceptional. The cost of P90X and other programs being included in the package alone make the cost of the system justifiable. The MSRP to purchase the current Kinect and all of the at-home workout programs would roughly be $400-$500 – the price of the Xbox One with Kinect 2.0 and the fitness programs. This being the case, I recommend that the Xbox One itself be reimbursable, as it is considered fitness focused hardware based on the facts and what the system is coming with. Here is the link that I forgot to paste in the last email. Thank you again for your time and consideration. http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2013/09/27/microsofts-most-important-xbox-one-exclusive-so-far-might-be-xbox-fitness/

BAM. This guy should have been a lawyer.

From: US Health & Fitness
Sent: Friday, October 04, 2013 8:43 AM
To: [Xbox One Guy]
Subject: Subsidy Program

Hi [Xbox One Guy],

If the item requested by you matches with the new update, then it qualifies for reimbursement under subsidy.

“Fitness focused gaming hardware and related fitness focused games, such as that related to Wii Fit, Xbox Kinect, PlayStation Move, and other similar items (excluding the cost of the gaming system console itself, unless the fitness- focused gaming hardware is pre-wired into the gaming system console)”

https://deloittenet.deloitte.com/CB/Health/Pages/SubsidizedFitnessMemberships.aspx

Regards

Having scored this victory for living room fitness enthusiasts everywhere, our fit little friend is sure to let everyone in his office know he has just successfully gamed the system. "FYI," he writes, "I just achieved a victory of epic proportions. Feel free to thank me later if this applies to you."

We attempted to reach Xbox One Guy to find out if he purchased and was subsequently reimbursed for his important fitness item, however he did not return our calls. Either he is sketched out by strange Washington DC phone numbers or too busy getting fit to pick up the phone. We'll let you know if we hear from him.