Raffle Prize of Villa Accommodation - Lost through Covid

wroughtironronn

My sister-in-law won the first prize in her local golf club in January 2020, of a week in a villa in Spain for up to six persons, donated by a member of the club.  It was to be taken in 2020 and a choice of dates was offered. Flights were not included.

Due to Covid, no holiday dates could be taken. The member who donated the prize now refuses to answer e-mail queries from my sister-in-law.

I suspect that the contract was with the raffle organisers (the Golf Club), and have doubts that they are under any obligations in relation to this "act of God" type of occurrence. Any thoughts?

Alan_Bowen

If she paid to enter the raffle, then there is probably a valid contract with the golf club and she should talk to them first. They presumably depended on a member offering free accommodation which they owned, so costing them nothing and she should consider her relationship with the club before making demands if she wants to be on good terms with the rest of the members in future. What has happened to the member who made the offer in the first place, is he still a member? maybe the golf club could put some pressure on him to act reasonably. 

wroughtironronn

I think tickets were around £20, featuring this "luxury" Villa as the prestige first prize. No alternative was offered. I think that she needs to raise it at the Golf Club Committee, but not hold out any strong hopes of being offered anything.

[Deleted User]

wroughtironronn said:

My sister-in-law won the first prize in her local golf club in January 2020, of a week in a villa in Spain for up to six persons, donated by a member of the club.  It was to be taken in 2020 and a choice of dates was offered. Flights were not included.

Due to Covid, no holiday dates could be taken. The member who donated the prize now refuses to answer e-mail queries from my sister-in-law.

I suspect that the contract was with the raffle organisers (the Golf Club), and have doubts that they are under any obligations in relation to this "act of God" type of occurrence. Any thoughts?

Hello,  I would be of the opinion that the prize was made available,as offered 2020, but the unfortunate circumstances prevented take up. £ 20 isn't a totally disastrous loss in times of a global pandemic and out with anyone's control. The outcome could have been a lot worse, eg stuck in Spain or quarantine etc . It would already be forgotten and behind me, those are my thoughts. Regards

Upsidedownandaround

If dates were offered for her to stay during 2020 and the accomodation was available then even if there was a valid contract it doesn't sound like the provider of the accomodation has breached it in any way. Not her fault she couldn't use the prize but not the accomodation providers fault either.