Is there a competitions ombudsman or similar?

EverDecreasingCircles

I just received the CD I in MAY! I had to keep chasing that as well. The portable DVD player I won in June only arrive this week too, again I had to chase it.

Jen x

msdl28712

You recently searched on Ask.com and we’re pleased to inform you that you’ve won The Little Mermaid DVD from Disney

This was back on the 4th dec 2006 and i still havent received it or had any response from the number off emails i sent them.

Its not really for wanting the dvd to me its the principle

Marc

monsieur_epargnant

Often these comps are treated as advertisements. The company providing the prize is effectively advertising their product. The website offering the prize often take some kind of payment.

I have a prize worth £250 I've had trouble getting since March. I've had so many calls/emails ignored I, last weekend, wrote to 4 newspapers, the publisher of the comp and the Advertising Standards Authority. Amazing how quickly I got contact from both companies the next morning by 9.30am (yes I made the publisher aware of my actions).

Still not satisfied but at least Managing Directors and legal departments are now involved. Unfortunately mine also involved a trust issue around a cosmetic procedure so I am chasing an alternative. That in itself may be an issue but there is no way I'll let them go ahead with the procedure after every company involved stuffed me around.

It was also suggested to me if getting in contact with the media to speak of the significance to recent competition rigging. They are aware that the public are shocked at that expose so might be keen for more of us to get in contact.

Of course use this route as a last resort. These companies are stuffing us around and we shouldn't stand for it any longer.

Shineyhappy

I am really sorry that so many compers are having problems getting their prizes and I think we should nag the companies responsible, but if there is a name and shame thread/sticky then I think there should be a counter thread to say wow thanks for the quick arrival of my prize type thread/sticky.

Cheeky_Chicken

My PS2 just arrived special delivery, so whatever the Nuts man said this time obviously worked!. Tbh I don't think you get anywhere with an email - much better to phone and speak to someone if you can

monsieur_epargnant

I've also had a better response today! Must've been quite a productive week.

What's been offered to me is a suitable alternative and I'll book tomorrow.

Thanks for listening to me rant folks.

hjb123

Hmmm, maybe I better have another go if everyone else is being lucky this week! Got an email on Friday saying they were chasing, but if I got a pound for everytime I heard that...

1972

hjb123 wrote: »

Hmmm, maybe I better have another go if everyone else is being lucky this week! Got an email on Friday saying they were chasing, but if I got a pound for everytime I heard that...

Yes, I seem to be getting somewhere too with sorting out my Australia trip today (see my post further down called "Help!").

Like you, I would be rich too if I got a pound everytime they said it was being dealt with!

diablodaz

Hi, Stressedofdevon I am stuck in the same boat as you as I also won the competition for the merell trainers and timex watch I have tryed to get in contact but no luck so far.

If you do recieve any info please do share.
Regards

Daz

p.s. I have just emailed I.S.P and I am currently awaiting on a response

stressedofdevon

Hurrah, as today I received my prizes from FHM outstanding since June.

Much thanks to everyone who advised, especially josie301 who recommended contacting the ISP. A lovely man there called Mr Mutton tried to get things moving but eventually had to refer the problem to the ASA on my behalf. Lo and behold, with hours I had contact from FHM apologising and blaming the PR company, and today my prizes finally arrived. Wrong size shoes, but won't risk pointing that out. Guess they will find their way to ebay instead!

Diablodaz, I hope you have a positive outcome now as well?

:j