"The Curry Secret" book giveaway **CON**

Mike_Hart

Last night I was up late, and at 20 to 1 in the morning (21 March) the MSE newsletter dropped into my 'Inbox'.

One of the items was advertising 'The Curry Secret book giveaway'. Being a curry-loving bloke, and mindful that my mum is Indian-born, it naturally caught my attention.

Clicked on the link, read about where I could buy it at Kindle and Amazon (presumably if unsuccessful), and noted its attractive price. To enter the competition, I simply had to reply to the post with the phrase 'Spice up your life'. I did, but my comment wasn't added and I had no chance of winning because the thread was CLOSED!

Reading the competition rules further revealed the following...

"APPEAL: Please ONLY reply to this thread if you will check your private messages to see if you've won a copy next week (week commencing 12 Mar)."

So presumably the competition was already closed, so why was the Book Giveaway in the newsletter????

This is a classic 'bait and switch'. The bait was the competition, and the switch was to a conventional sale, with an occasional newsletter sign-up for MSE along the way. Bad enough, but to advertise entry to a competition that was already closed is beyond the pale! I'm guessing that there are rules about this kind of behaviour, and I invite a reply from MSE.

I always thought that MSE was a champion for the consumer. Have they taken a tippie-toe to the other side of the tracks?

- Mike

jaibaby

It could be a simple mistake! I received a PM today saying I could be one of the winners. I know the newsletter gets sent out every Wednesday but haven't had mine yet.

Is it definitely this weeks newsletter? I had an email a few days ago that had been sent back in January!

nikkikayj

ive not had it in an email but i also have had a message saying if im quick enough to email i will be one of the winners today!

nikkikayj

Ive just looked on the latest email on here dated today and it says Book Giveaway RESULT. The Curry Secret. 50 blagged for MoneySavers. Check your inbox to find out if you got one.

I think thats pretty clear the giveaway is closed

Mike_Hart

nikkikayj wrote: »

Ive just looked on the latest email on here dated today and it says Book Giveaway RESULT. The Curry Secret. 50 blagged for MoneySavers. Check your inbox to find out if you got one.

I think thats pretty clear the giveaway is closed

Yep - I guess so! What a difference a word makes. Shame that I didn't see the competition when it was still live. Feel like I've picked up a diamond, only for it to turn out to be a piece of broken milk bottle. ;( grr