Littlewoods - Awarded a sum of money

dejongj

I thought I am quite savy, but had to read a letter several times as I can't believe anyone is giving money away for nothing....I received the following letter from Littlewoods:

Congratulations! You have been awarded a sum of money to spend as you wish on Littlewoods goods.*

It could be various amounts up to a maximum of £1,500. We guarantee it will be no less than £15.

To claim your Award sign the Award Claim Form below and return it promptly in the envelope provided (no stamp required)

...

Now the asterisk goes to the small print which states in very small letters; "The award is conditional on being accepted as a Littlewoods credit customer and the return of a signed credit agreement"

I find this shocking behaviour packaging up a credit agreement in what seems a price draw. I thought there was a law against this? Wasn't there something that states that prices can't be conditional of purchase? Would that apply for this kind of a hidden credit agreement as well?

Rafter

Is a bit dodgy but the credit agreement is not the award claim form, although I asume that gives them the authority to do a credit search.

I guess you could argue that any sort of cashback deal on a financial product could be seen as a draw too, although the amount is fixed in that case.

You do occassionally see financial products where 1 in X'000 customers wins a large amount or a car or something though.

R.

dejongj

Rafter wrote: »

Is a bit dodgy but the credit agreement is not the award claim form, although I asume that gives them the authority to do a credit search.

Yes I guess you are right, the reply form is not the credit agreement, but it does not make it obvious that it gives them the authority to do a credit enquiry which for some people is not a good thing....

lcooperdesign

I just got one of these through the post as well, did you send yours back and have you heard any more on it? If not I'll throw it in the bin.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

I shredded mine.

MarkyMarkD

Don't be silly, all of you.

Littlewoods are a catalogue retailer. They supply everything on a period of interest free credit.

Therefore they credit reference before sending out a catalogue.

The free money (£15 in our case - surprise) is £15 off your first order but there's no minimum order size, so it is a genuine £15 of free stuff.

They credit reference up front because there's no point them sending out catalogues and free money to people who they wouldn't sell stuff to in any case because they are financially unsound.

jonnyboy_2

You shouldn't just tell people not to be silly. They're right to be suspicious about this kind of thing, with the amount of scams that are about today.

MarkyMarkD

I'm telling people not to be silly because this, in fact, is not a scam in the slightest.

It's not silly to be suspicious. It's silly to over-react and believe that everything is a scam, and to throw away £15 because you are scared it's a scam!

Butlers1982

I'm telling people not to be silly because this, in fact, is not a scam in the slightest.

It's not silly to be suspicious. It's silly to over-react and believe that everything is a scam, and to throw away £15 because you are scared it's a scam!

I agree with you too- people go too far and do over react

dangeroussports

Too many neurotic normans, timid timothys and bedwetting consumers here.

dejongj

MarkyMarkD wrote: »

Don't be silly, all of you.

Littlewoods are a catalogue retailer. They supply everything on a period of interest free credit.

Therefore they credit reference before sending out a catalogue.

The free money (£15 in our case - surprise) is £15 off your first order but there's no minimum order size, so it is a genuine £15 of free stuff.

They credit reference up front because there's no point them sending out catalogues and free money to people who they wouldn't sell stuff to in any case because they are financially unsound.

I never said it was a scam, I just thought it was bad behaviour....And no they did not credit reference up front, or at least not against any of the know credit reference agencies at least no search on my files....So if they do reference upfront it is more based upon other methods like ACORN profiles which wouldn't make sense either considering my classification....

Bit immature to start calling names though...