Told I have won £1000 but then told I have won a book instead?

unholyangel

What wording did they use to tell you you had won?

It definitely wasn't something like "congratulations, you're eligible for our £1000 prize" or "congratulations, you may have won £1000" or "congratulations, we have selected your name for our £1000 prize" or anything similar?

Its common tactics. They phrase what they say carefully to give people the impression that either:
1) They can win the money very easy/are in with a good chance of winning or
2) That you've won already when you really havent.

duchy

I once got a call at work telling me I had won a competition (that I vaguely remembered entering months before). I said "Oh that was a long time ago -what was the prize again" the reply "£5,000" I was lost for words........ They arranged for someone to deliver it to me at work (goodness knows why they didn't post it-he travelled down to Surrey from up North) but I refused to even consider it "my" prize until I had the cheque in my hand even though it was a highly reputable company (Letts diaries).

Sorry about your disappointment but I don't think compensation is going to happen as you never actually had the vouchers to lose-it was a prize not something contractual.

Flyboy152

blackrainbow86 wrote: »

I entered a competition and I received a phone call saying that I have won £1000 in vouchers. I received a phone call today to be told that I had not won £1000, but won a book instead (oh cheers).

I am looking to write a letter of complaint because I think it was disgusting that I was misinformed and the woman was not even apologetic. I actually had a few missed calls from them prior to receiving the good news so they had the chance to get their facts straight beforehand.

What sort of compensation would be suitable in your opinion?

I think you can expect to receive hundreds if not thousands more offers to enter "competitions."

Flyboy152

blackrainbow86 wrote: »

Only proof I have is the phone number that rang and the time the calls were made to me

I just think it is wrong to phone somebody telling them they have won a large amount of money only to be told "Oh sorry, you didn't win this after all".

What was the "competition" for, what did you have to do to win, who ran it and how did you enter?

ellay864

Compensation for what? You've presumably not gone and put a deposit down on a new car already? You don't have any losses to make up. You haven't suffered any injury. All you want is some easy money for somebody making a mistake, albeit an annoying one. Try looking at what 'to compensate' actually means - we can't all get compensation just for being disappointed at realities of life

Evilm

What information did they ask for? Sounds like one of the scam ones where they try to get you to ring premium phone lines or get your bank details/personal information.

Flyboy152

ellay864 wrote: »

Compensation for what? You've presumably not gone and put a deposit down on a new car already? You don't have any losses to make up. You haven't suffered any injury. All you want is some easy money for somebody making a mistake, albeit an annoying one. Try looking at what 'to compensate' actually means - we can't all get compensation just for being disappointed at realities of life

No, but then we can be compensated for a breach of contract, if one existed.

Fiddlestick

barbiedoll wrote: »

It turned out to be my son, who was doing a "challenge" set by his drama teacher. He had to convince a member of his family, on the phone, that he was someone else.

I don't know who was the bigger !!!! there, the son or the drama teacher

ThinkingOfLinking

Report them to the IPM..they then refer to the ASA if your complaint is valid.