Can somebody advise me please?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I won my first competition in Dec last year, a 2 night stay at Bentleys of Blackpool (from the TV programme The Hotel Inspector) but had my 1st baby not long after, and unfortunately I had complications, so decided to wait until I was better to book it.

So last week I emailed them to ask to book it (it's valid until April). I had no response, so emailed again, but still had no replies. Eventually I had to ring them. I was told that the man in charge of the competition was out, but he was due back in the afternoon, and he'd reply to me then. Early evening came, and I still didn't have an email, so I phoned back. I spoke to the same man, who said the man in charge was in the process of emailing me right then and I'd have a reply soon. I waited all night, but still nothing came (I was orginially hoping for a quick reply so my fiance could book the time off work) Then eventually, at 05:07am this morning, I had an email telling me that the competition is cancelled!!!

I'm so upset, and also slightly cross, because we'd been really looking forward to our break away. In my email telling me it was cancelled, he said that everyone else who had won - and already booked - was having theirs cancelled too! He said he has the right to cancel if he wants to, is that true? Is he allowed to just do that??

I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who posts competitions - it's a great site

Blulu

Outrageous! I can't believe that they're allowed to do that. The only way I think they might legally be able to would be if the company had gone to the wall. Competitions are governed by strict legislation and I'm sure someone here will post exactly who to contact. I hope you fight this and you should absolutely get your prize or an equivalent financial settlement. Good luck and let us know huh? :mad:

Abbafan1972

That is really awful for you, I hope someone will be along with some advice so you can get it sorted! :mad:

elletee

Hi

I would send a polite email back, saying that you believed this was against legislation, and would they please mind checking. They may just be trying pull a fast one. If they don't reply or reply negatively, then I'd contact the governing body.

Good luck!!

x

KIMY

I also won this and tried to book and no one has responded, this is really unfair as how can you hold a competition and then notify winners and then cancel. I am going to check and if they have face book or comments on there site l am going to proffessionally state my opinion of these people,

tranmereforever

PheebsX I would certainly not stand for that, was the competition run by the hotel themselves or a 3rd party?

It may be helpful if you copy and paste the text of the email so someone can advise you better

barnie

Hi - this advice is at the bottom of Martins guidelines. Perhaps you should email them. Good luck.

"If it doesn’t arrive after a few polite prompts, it could be worth getting in touch with the Institute of Sales Promotion, the promotions industry’s trade association, which lays down the guidelines promoters must follow. Compers report that it’s fab at investigating missing prizes. The best way’s to email complaints@isp.org.uk."

tranmereforever

Looks like you are not the only one annoyingly

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3623881

Trying to find a cached version of the terms of the competition for you

[Deleted User]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Here's a copy and paste of the original competition: (I'm new so can't post links)

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E: 01/12 (9am) 10 x Prizes - Weekend Break in Blackpool (Email)
As seen on The Hotel Inspector!

Bentleys of Blackpool

To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the 3 questions listed below and send your anwers by email to:-
[EMAIL="competition@bentleysofblackpool.co.uk"]competition@bentleysofblackpool.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Question 1:- What is the capital city of Latvia?
Answer 1: Riga

Question 2:- To the nearest 50km how long is the Latvian coastline?
Answer 2: 550km (it is actually 531km )

Question 3:- What was the surname of the Royal Family?
Answer 3: ??? HELP (guessing they mean Latvian Royal Family?)


10, 1st Prizes of a weekend break for 2 at Bentleys Of Blackpool.
*the prize can be taken any weekend (subject to availability) up untill 1st April 2012, a weekend shall mean Friday & Saturday night only, it can either be for 1 person or 2 people, and shall be in an en-suite room on a room only basis*

20, 2nd Prizes of a meal for 2 at Cafe Allonia.
*the prize can be taken any day (subject to availability) up untill 1st April 2012, the meal can be for 1 person or 2 people, and will consist of starter, main course and dessert. this prize does not include any service charge nor beverages. All beverages will be charged as taken.

COMPETITION TERMS AND CONDITIONS ON WEBSITE

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And here's a copy of the email I received:

Thank you for your message.
Sorry for not responding sooner, however due to on-going problems with the administration of the competition please note that with immediate effect the competition has been cancelled.
Section 4, of the booking conditions refer:-
Promoter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, cancel or suspend the Competition (or a portion thereof).
Please also note that all reservations already booked as a prize have been cancelled.
I am sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Regards


Andrew

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So, does it mean he's ok to cancel because of where he states the "booking conditions"?

It just seems so unfair, it gets all your hopes up and then nothing

Thanks again

Tulip

Thats awful,hope you can sort something out.

Blulu

That may make it just a little trickier, but my gut instinct is that they still don't have the right to cancel. I did wonder at the 'subject to availability' bit as a let off perhaps, but then again, that might apply with you, but not to those who have already booked. Do you know that in a laundry if they put up a sign that says they're 'not responsible for any damage' they still are. If you have any contact with them remain polite (I'm sure you would anyway) and keep copies of everything. We're all behind you with this.