Advice needed prize not received by sponsor

BabychamPrincess

I could really appreciate any advice, from anyone that may have had similar problems'
Received WEM in February, saying I had won a years supply of washing powder, sponsor from company contacted me some weeks later and said he would deliver and take photo for mag, he never rang, left it a few weeks contacted magazine, they said they were having problems with sponsor, but would contact them, a few weeks after, he rang again, and said he would now send monthly, I asked if it could be sent in 1 or 2 lots and he said no, I phoned the mag and said he was now going to send monthly, they told me it looked like they were having money problems, they also said they would send me a voucher and mag subscription for stress caused. Never received washing powder or voucher, e.mailed and said I was dissapointed and felt they should have possibly offered an alternative prize, with what they knew, but they have not responded, would really like to know if I should just write it off.

THANKYOU

ozbird1

I don't think you should give up, maybe a nice letter to Sponsor MD.
Have you seen any recent competitions from the same sponsor ? Would give you a bit of come back if they are still offering prizes for more competitions.

Chesterlass

Don't ever give up on a prize. I won £500 to spend at Magnolia Jewellery in February with Look Magazine and had much the same problems as you with both the magazine and the promotor. I was advised to contact Edwin at the IPM, and within a month I had received my vouchers - they came yesterday!

Contact edwinm@theipm.org.uk

Good luck!

Blulu

BabychamPrincess I really hope you don't give up on this. My suggestion is to try one more time, but this time send a recorded delivery snail mail letter. Keep it friendly - I'm sure you would anyway, but state that if you don't hear back from them within a specified time you will reluctantly have to contact 'Offcomp' - that's not the right name, but someone here will post the details for you to contact, I'm sure.

The tricky part is knowing whether to send it to the sponsor or the mag. I wonder which is contracted to fulfil this? You could cc (carbon copy) so that it's sent to both - if you can find both addresses.

Let us know how you get on huh?

Edit: My gut feeling is that unless the T&C say otherwise, that it is probably the mag that is obligated to fulfil this for you, as it was their comp. The sponsor was probably their sponsor for the prize.

Also found this for you in Velvet Glove's post:

"What happens if my prize doesn’t turn up?
This is going to be individual to each comp. Usually it will state in the T & C for each comp how long it should take for the prizes to be dispatched to winners. As a general rule though or in the absence of any particular details in the T & C, allow 28 days, (allow more if we are experiencing postal strikes or extreme weather conditions). If the prize hasn't arrived by then, get in touch with the company offering the prize. Try to contact the person whose details you have & ask politely if there is a problem with delivery. A telephone call is the best way, but failing that try emailing them. If they don't reply, look on the original website for contact details & contact them, again being as polite as you can.

If you still get no response from them, there are a few different things you can try.

The Institute of Promotional Marketing complaints@theipm.org.uk lay down the guidelines which comp organisors must follow. MSE Compers have reported that they are very good at investigating dodgy comps & missing prizes with one chap in particular Edwin Mutton, being an absolute star. Please note, the IPM was formerly known as the Institute of Sales Promotion (name change in May 2010) however, the contact info does not appear to have changed.

The Advertising Standards Authority have an online complaints form.

I had an issue with a prize not turning up & after chasing politely for 5 months, I mentioned that I had been advised to talk to the Institute of Sales Promotions about the matter. Funnily enough that resulted in a letter of apology within a few days, along with a box of ‘Apology Goodies’ & my prize turned up 2 weeks later. Just remember to keep your cool & remain polite."

Blu :cool:

toniq

I've helped many people on here over the years chase up prizes and word letters/emails etc, If you need a hand after trying the fab advice above let me know xxxxxxx

lilias

Because so many promoters seem to disclaim responsibility for prizes reaching winners - saying it's the fault of the post office or the PR department or whoever - I recently dug up a quote by Edwin Mutton that I've used myself when prizes haven't arrived.

He said
"Given the variety and scope of promotional activity there will always be potential for error. Yet, as companies outsource execution and fulfilment, they are failing to take responsibility when things go wrong.
"That is a mistake," says the ISP's Mutton. "The promoter is always responsible for giving the customer what they were promised.""

The ISP has now changed its name andMr Mutton's role is

• Manage Institute of Promotional Marketing awards
• Complaints Co-ordinator
• Compliance Co-ordinator

mollythewestie

Sorry to hear about the problems getting your prize. I had similar problems with a years supply of laundry products prize last year and ended up chasing it up for months.
(If by any chance the prize was with Ecover, PM me as I have a few email addresses of promotions people ).

BabychamPrincess

Thank You ozbird1, Chestrerlass, Blulu, toniq, mollythewestie for your advice, I will write again and say that I have been advised if I don't hear anything I will contact the IPM and see if they answer that.

thanks again xx

Matryoshka

Has this been resolved?