Advice needed about a win

Smitten1

I had an email sayin "You have been invited by The Sun Competition Winners to register for the 2012 Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant" meaning I'd won a place on the boat which The Sun had hired.
The problem is I'm a wheelchiar user and because of that I can't get on the boat:(
The Terms and conditions mentioned nothing about wheelchair users not being able to get on the boat.
When talking to the lady at The Sun she said " What could we offer you instead"
I asked for time to think it over, so what do you think I should ask for?

smartt21

Do they have a VIP area along the route that you could access? well done on the win though!

courtney22

Well done but I think it's awful tht they can't accommodate a wheelchair, due to this fact I'd ask for something cheeky, as it's bad for them. Haven't they got a special section right at the front of the palace for people with mobility problems for the jubilee? If thts something tht u would like maybe ask for entry to there as ud see the concert ad well.

davross

I would ask for cash. It sounds cheeky but its probably the easiest alternative prize for them to arrange so I bet they would say yes.

Iggy1313

what?!?!?! why cant you get on the boat? surely its accessible? If I were you id request that they pull their heads out of their a**es and sort out their accessibility issues...oh and throw in an ipad.

Iggy1313

Im really really shocked! typical of the Sun to have not considered this in the first place...Im totally outraged. have you got the details of this comp?

Smitten1

I think I'll ask for cash - guess I'll start at £400 (the cost of a ticket on some boats) and work down. Thanks for the advice.

McKneff

Of course there will be access. If you really want to go then talk to someone who knows what they are talking about.

Unless of course you would rather have the cash, ask them what they would offer, then haggle, they may start at 500. So keep Schtumm (sp)

Caramel79

McKneff wrote: »

Of course there will be access. If you really want to go then talk to someone who knows what they are talking about.

Unless of course you would rather have the cash, ask them what they would offer, then haggle, they may start at 500. So keep Schtumm (sp)

I completely agree with McKneff. If it's cash you're after tell them that but let them suggest a sum first, just in case it's more than what you would have asked for. If it's less hopefully it shouldn't be hard to get them to raise it to a fair amount considering their massive faux pas could cause them some very bad publicity.

Sorry you couldn't have the prize you wanted, but hopefully you'll be able to agree something with them that you feel will compensate you fairly xx

Caramel79

OK, just spoken to my OH about this (his sister is disabled, although not a wheelchair user). He's suggested you ask for the moon, and thinking about it he may have a point. The Sun are a large company so could afford to be more than generous, add to that the fact that this is a massive mess up on their behalf and it does put you in quite a strong position. As he says, the worst they can do is say no, but the higher you set the bar in terms of what you want, the more likely it is that that will push up their lowest bar. In other words you could ask for a couple of thousand. If they were initially thinking a couple of hundred it may force them to think nearer the thousand pound mark. What they were giving as the prize in the first place doesn't really come into it, the fact that they've been unable to accomodate you as a wheelchair user is the issue and it could put them in quite a tricky position.

Of course it's entirely up to you, but either way, as my dear departed Nan always said, if you don't ask you don't get. Don't sell yourself short on this one, you'll definitely be coming out of it with something so aim high xxx

McKneff

There will be access, its only the lady on the phone who the OP spoke to who has made the error so no major !!!! up.

OP, dont be greedy, they could end up just saying you must take the trip or forfiet and deny all knowledge of the othe offer.

Good luck, whatever you decide.