Giving competition prizes as presents

thecrazyone

Another topic to discuss.

Does anyone give their prizes as presents? Do you think this is acceptable?

A friend recently gave another friend an excellent present (one that would never have been bought as it would have been too expensive and the present was something the recipient wanted) that they had won in a competition. The friend who received the gift felt a little cheated as the person didn't actually buy it and there was apparently no thought in it.

I don't see anything wrong with me as it was a good present. The person could have ebayed it or used it themselves and bought the person a normal less expensive gift. Everyone wins.

I think the problem was it was common knowledge it was won in a competition. Had no one known about it, everyone would have been happy.

Any experiences/opinions?

dollop

i fink the person that recived the present is ungratefull in that case,as it was a good present and they probably wouldnt have got it otherwise and esp if it was something they wanted too,from the prizes i have won i am giving most away as xmas pressie,things is at the end of the day some of its is cracking stuff and i wouldnt have been able to afford to actually buy people pressies at them sort of prices,my children for example are getting a nintendo wii for xmas they wouldnt have got one if i haddnt won it so there ell chuffed,and also when giving that present to that person the gift is still worth the same amount hever it was bought or won,so i really dont see what the prolem is.

DrFluffy

I can see both sides...

Personally I would rather receive a cheap present that has been selected with thought than a flashy one that had not...

But it's always nice to be able to give someone you care about something expensive...

Toughie...

duchy

I've often entered competitions for prizes that I know friends or family would love-when I have no interest in the prize myself.
I think the person who was given the present is out of line-the gift was given knowing it was something they would appreciate and want (and that the giver could have sold on) . Guess "It's the thought that counts" doesn't count with some people though.

discodiva123

I recently won some rimmel foundation full size that wasnt really my shade. my friends birthday was coming up so i went out and brought a silver necklace, wine and added the foundation to the gift bag, she didnt know i won it, it was her shade and she said she needed it, everyones a winner.

I generally prefer to buy presents than to give wins, but i dont see any harm in it. afterall if i win something and i wont use it i tend to give it someone will will get use from it anyway.

DUKE

I cannot believe it :eek: So if the friend had won the lottery and shared would this ungrateful person still be complaining - I think not! I'd take the prize back :mad:

patwa_2

I think that regardless of the monetary value of the present, it's important to respect the gesture and also the person that you're giving the present to. I guess it boils down to how you give the present. Personally if I were giving an expensive present to someone that I had not actually bought, I would only give it if I was going to give them that item anyway, not as a replacement to spending my own cash. I would also rather not mention that the present was free for me, I don't want that person to feel that I'm just giving the present out of obligation or trying to undervalue them. I think giving a present because you have to and not because you want to is as good as giving no present at all.

People put a lot of thought into presents usually. Even if it's difficult to buy for them because you're not well off or even because they just seem to have everything, you're putting in that effort (hopefully) because you respect them enough to make that effort.

It's rather the same way that people prefer to give presents in person rather than remotely. You want to see the joy on that person's face, the acceptance of your friendship, the trust that they are placing in you to buy something for them that they'll like and the respect that you hold for them.

I also think too much thought goes into the monetary value of presents. People sometimes think only expensive or lavish presents will do, and yes there are certain times where that is appropriate. But if it's between friends, well I often ask myself if they are trying to buy each other's friendship? And if that's the case, it's really not a good foundation to base a friendship on.

H.

DUKE

Sorry, I forgot to say that I think it's perfectly acceptable to give wins away I can't wait for someone to win a holiday and give it to me I give my pigsback vouchers away as gifts.

thecrazyone

I can see both sides. In the case I stated I think it was the fact EVERYONE knew it was a prize and that somehow made the person feel uncomfortable that they got what other people could as interpret as an unwanted prize/gift. Getting someone's unwanted items doesn't make you feel good.

I think you can give away a prize and it be fine. Don't go completely public with it, be subtle about it. If you enter the competition specifically for that person then there is much thought in that.

I have posted a couple of discussion threads as I have been thinking of starting comping. I had an idea of my terms and conditions for comping but wanted to put up some discussions to see what other people thought before finalising them to see if anyone came up with something I didn't. So far everyone has just confirmed what I thought and I've tweaked a few of my T&C.

Keep discussing. I'm away to post yet another thread on what I'm up to.

Later

dollop

patwa wrote: »

I think that regardless of the monetary value of the present, it's important to respect the gesture and also the person that you're giving the present to. I guess it boils down to how you give the present. Personally if I were giving an expensive present to someone that I had not actually bought, I would only give it if I was going to give them that item anyway, not as a replacement to spending my own cash. I would also rather not mention that the present was free for me, I don't want that person to feel that I'm just giving the present out of obligation or trying to undervalue them. I think giving a present because you have to and not because you want to is as good as giving no present at all.

People put a lot of thought into presents usually. Even if it's difficult to buy for them because you're not well off or even because they just seem to have everything, you're putting in that effort (hopefully) because you respect them enough to make that effort.

It's rather the same way that people prefer to give presents in person rather than remotely. You want to see the joy on that person's face, the acceptance of your friendship, the trust that they are placing in you to buy something for them that they'll like and the respect that you hold for them.

I also think too much thought goes into the monetary value of presents. People sometimes think only expensive or lavish presents will do, and yes there are certain times where that is appropriate. But if it's between friends, well I often ask myself if they are trying to buy each other's friendship? And if that's the case, it's really not a good foundation to base a friendship on.

H.

dont you think though that this person could have have sold the present?they must be thinking about the person,to choose that person to know its something they want,so therefore you are thinking about that person rather than thinking well i could sell it on ebay and make some money but i know such and such wants or needs such and such and giving it to them as a gift

zpacey

I think we are forgetting we are on a money savings website, I am trying to sort my debts out and this year will not be lavishing my friends and family with expensive gifts, I have decided to keep all pressies I win from competitions to go towards x-mas presents. So far I haven't won much and haven't yet allocated which pressies go to whom, but I think it is a great money saving scheme. I've also been saving my points and cash from boots, tns, quid co to buy the rest of the pressies