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New York Competition Win; Worst Time Of Our lives!
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Sorry to hear about your experience and glad to hear you got your money back. I had a bad experience too where it turned out hotel was never paid for but I didn't find out until nearly 5 months later when suddenly over £1500 was taken from credit card without warning as like others have said you have to give hotel credit card details when you check in. I eventually got money back after a couple of weeks but was never offered any further compensation and this was through a Telegraph competition. It was a very stressful time as for a while I thought we would never see the money again! I think £600 is very generous of them as they wouldn't have to provide anything. Ok, the fact that they have a 24 hour emergency support line which wasn't manned is awful I agree with that but they have dealt with the matter very quickly and refunded you immediately which I'm impressed by! If you're not happy with £600 you would need to know what it is you are wanting before explaining to them why you think you should get it.
Just to add, I've also won another holiday which had absolutely no problems. I think problems are rare but they do happen just like they could if you booked the holiday yourself. I'm not trying to worry anyone and I still enter all the holiday comps I can!2008: £783.12 - 2009: £6,401.15 - 2010: £4,230.61 - 2011: £8720 - 2012: £2,041.89
2013: £134.960 -
Take the money but don't agree to any confidentiality and see if you can sell the story to the Daily Mail as well.
No offence at all but i'm not sure any other, lets say 'newspaper' would be interested in it.0 -
Zer01 Thanks for the update and great to hear you have been offered compensation. I am with you on this one though about whether or not £600 is a good offer?
I think if I were in your shoes though I would accept what has been offered. I know this has been a terrible experience for you and I am sure Channel 4 and Black Tomato have realised that. The good thing is they have reacted quite quickly to your complaint and refunded you, again quite quickly (albeit apart from the Bank Holiday which was understandable) with what you had to pay on your credit card. So that is a plus point in you have not had to chase them or made to wait 28 days etc.
Calculate exactly how much out of pocket you are because of this incident, extra fares, credit card charges etc.then see what the net figure is.
I do agree though it is a difficult decision and also not nice that you are now in another position having to make that decision.
Not sure if contact with the IPM may be a good idea now for some guidance?
Good luck and let us know.The best things in life are free.....0 -
I would go straight to Channel 4, write it on their FB and twitter feed and get your friends to comment and retweet. I understand it was a competition but I do think they could increase the offer, I would have been mortified what stress! That is so awful0
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welshgirlmel wrote: »I would go straight to Channel 4, write it on their FB and twitter feed and get your friends to comment and retweet. I understand it was a competition but I do think they could increase the offer, I would have been mortified what stress! That is so awful
Personally I actually believe this would be unfair on Channel 4 in this instance. They have done nothing wrong in the process as they ran the competition as planned and then passed it on to Black Tomato who are the ones at fault
Channel 4 have also confirmed in writing to the OP that they are investigating and it could well be this that have made Black Tomato respond so quickly. Either way Channel 4 need time to investigate this properly
As I posted previously I would give Edwin Mutton an email, he really is great at helping matters like this and he would be able to advise better, his email is
edwinm@theipm.org.uk
As for the £600, as stated in another post I would cost up everything and make sure any expenses you incurred are covered first and then go from thereJuly 2015 Wins- Shaun The Sheep Goody Bag, 4x Books
Year to date: £786
Total to date ( Since 2008 ) = £37,345 :eek:0 -
I think it wouldn't be too much of a problem to just say "thank-you, but I think £750 (for example) would be more suitable. Imo don't sell your story, as it seems they are trying to make amends.
(C5ryl, if I were you and was entering competitions for a US hol/planning a holiday. I'd apply for a 0% credit card, don't use it. Don't even take it out of the envelope until you need it. As someone else mentioned it's often hidden away in the t&cs. I booked a holiday to Las Vegas without realising I had to have one - cue much panic as it can often take a month or so to clear (for the good ones with good rates) but I spoke to a lovely lady at Virgin who got me it in 5 days - and at 0% for the first year. I've only ever paid £12 on top. I do realise most people will say - if you don't have to have a credit card, don't get it, so only do it if USA is on your list).0 -
Personally, I'm with Tranmere. I think they've acted really well and amazingly fast. If it was me I would want 3 things:
1) To make sure that I am not out of pocket, even by 1p. I would include EVERYTHING when totting expenses up, including phonecalls, any printing, stationary and stamps.
2) To have SOMETHING in addition, just because I would feel that this meant they 'got it'.
3) To have it done and dusted as soon as poss, rather than make it one of those things that goes on forever.
Having said that, if I was unsure if the amount was fair I might just try one polite response, saying how much I appreciate that they are trying to put things right as quickly as possible, and then state what I think would be a fair settlement. But if I did this, I would then accept whatever they next offered, including if they stuck to their original offer. I know that I wouldn't want it dragging on, and I would want to show them that I was being reasonable, as they seem to be.
I can only say what I would do - which doesn't mean it's right for you. Take all of our suggestions, but in the end do what feels right for you.
And thank you lots for keeping us up to date.
Blu XI am brave, I am bruised
I am who I'm meant to be
I'm not scared to be seen
I make no apology
THIS IS ME!
When you talk down to others it says more about you than them.0 -
Sorry to hear about your trip - though as others have said, it's good that they've offered compensation so quickly (and there's no harm in having a think and letting them know if it doesn't seem enough to compensate for the terrible experience!)
Just for those worried about upcoming trips - we've won a couple of family holidays (Lapland and Disneyland) and these have been nothing but perfectly organised. We had a 10 hour delay coming back from Lapland - but that was due to the weather & the fault of the promoters. Please try not to worry too much - and make sure you have a contingency plan *just in case*Best of 2011: London Trip,Hot Air Balloon,£1660, phone,Kindle,Trip to Lapland! Total 2011 wins: £6865
Best of 2012: Trip to Disneyland Paris, £1665 cash/vouchers, trip to Harrogate, trip to Birmingham, £230 vacuum, 2 x mobile phones, Olympics tickets! Total 2012 wins: £66240 -
Personally I would want compensation of the amount of money I had spent on the whole trip - so say my expenses had been £400 I would want that back. I would also want maybe £50 per day of the holiday due to the fact that maybe you've taken X amount of days off work (be that holiday time or other). I think that would be reasonable to expect.
On the other hand I would take into consideration they have apologised, they have made changes to ensure that it won't happen again and they have offered up compensation pretty readily. Also worth bearing in mind the extra stress it could cause trying to perhaps "get more out of them"?
For me I think I would want to draw a line under the whole thing and would accept what they are offering. I wouldn't Tweet them or write anything nasty on their Facebook, you're understandably upset but will it really make you feel any better to slate them in newspapers or social media?
These are just my own personal thoughts on it though and I'm sorry your holiday was effectively ruined due to their incompetence.A closed mouth gathers no feet.0 -
Sorry to hear about your awful experience.
I would take the £600. They have been prompt to respond, refunded your charges, etc very quickly. The £600 could be a nice meal out for you and your GF and then saving for another holidayI like to make money
Best wins: £3,000 luxury holiday, holiday in Cornwall, £250 Murad Skincare hamper, angle grinder
:j Make £10 a day challenger - it pays for trips to Florida! :j
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