'Free' Competition

laurjade

Hi

I went to a baby show yesterday and a stall was running a 'free' competition where if you guess the weight of the bear, you could win a photoshoot and the teddy bear. We was told we had to pay deposit of £35 if we won to secure a booking, but this would be refunded once we finished the photoshoot.

I received a text to say I had won, and I had 24 hours to claim my prize, first come first served. We paid the £35 deposit and then received the full package details. It turns out we have to attend 3 photoshoots at different ages of baby (10-21 days old, 6-9 months and 1 year), and only then we will receive our deposit back and the bear prize. The package included price list for prints - £60 for ONE 7x5 print which I find absolutely absurd!!!! And hundreds for one wall mounted photo. As I will be on maternity pay at this time, this is absolutely unaffordable. 

There was NO mention of this on their website about the prices. I have checked trust pilot on this company and lots of reviews saying others fell for 'winning' the competition then the photographers pressure you into buying the prints even suggesting getting it on finance if you can't afford, and threatening to delete images if you don't purchase any

It wasn't mentioned at the stall, or while I was filling in my details that there was 3 different shoots to go to and after reading reviews of how other people have been treated, I really don't want to go

I've tried contacting company, heard nothing back just yet

How likely am I to get my money back ? £35 is quite a considerable amount of money to lose after winning a 'free competition' but I really don't want to go to the shoot 3 times, as well as additional times to look through photos etc with a newborn baby, and be pressured into buying something when I was told it was a free competition

Arunmor

You've been had.  Unless you can track down the people involved there probably isn't much you can do.  You might get the opportunity if you bump into them again.   Live and learn, even though it will stick in your throat.

born_again

 I was told it was a free competition

Devil is in the detail. In this case. It was a free entry to guess the weight.

As a aside on wanting photo's for you new child (congrats) Find a good local photographer. may cost, but any of these national types pull you in with "Free" or low cost, when they are nothing like.

Grumpy_chap

laurjade said:

Hi

I went to a baby show yesterday and a stall was running a 'free' competition where if you guess the weight of the bear, you could win a photoshoot and the teddy bear. We was told we had to pay deposit of £35 if we won to secure a booking, but this would be refunded once we finished the photoshoot.

I received a text to say I had won, and I had 24 hours to claim my prize, first come first served. We paid the £35 deposit and then received the full package details. It turns out we have to attend 3 photoshoots at different ages of baby (10-21 days old, 6-9 months and 1 year), and only then we will receive our deposit back and the bear prize. The package included price list for prints - £60 for ONE 7x5 print which I find absolutely absurd!!!! And hundreds for one wall mounted photo. As I will be on maternity pay at this time, this is absolutely unaffordable. 

There was NO mention of this on their website about the prices. I have checked trust pilot on this company and lots of reviews saying others fell for 'winning' the competition then the photographers pressure you into buying the prints even suggesting getting it on finance if you can't afford, and threatening to delete images if you don't purchase any

It wasn't mentioned at the stall, or while I was filling in my details that there was 3 different shoots to go to and after reading reviews of how other people have been treated, I really don't want to go

I've tried contacting company, heard nothing back just yet

How likely am I to get my money back ? £35 is quite a considerable amount of money to lose after winning a 'free competition' but I really don't want to go to the shoot 3 times, as well as additional times to look through photos etc with a newborn baby, and be pressured into buying something when I was told it was a free competition

How did you pay the £35?
You may be able to try charge back.

I don't think S75 will be possible at this stage.  There would be no breach of contract until you have attended all the photo shoots and then they refuse the refund.  That would also mean facing down the hardsell.

Have you actually asked for a refund?
The company might just give in.
If they don't and you explain you can never afford to buy the photos so it's a waste of their time to do the series of three photo shoots and better for all to do the sensible thing...

There are also consumer rules about conditions only shared after the contract is committed to as being unfair / disallowed.  I am not an expert but hopefully someone will be along soon to comment on that aspect.

powerful_Rogue

Grumpy_chap said:

laurjade said:

Hi

I went to a baby show yesterday and a stall was running a 'free' competition where if you guess the weight of the bear, you could win a photoshoot and the teddy bear. We was told we had to pay deposit of £35 if we won to secure a booking, but this would be refunded once we finished the photoshoot.

I received a text to say I had won, and I had 24 hours to claim my prize, first come first served. We paid the £35 deposit and then received the full package details. It turns out we have to attend 3 photoshoots at different ages of baby (10-21 days old, 6-9 months and 1 year), and only then we will receive our deposit back and the bear prize. The package included price list for prints - £60 for ONE 7x5 print which I find absolutely absurd!!!! And hundreds for one wall mounted photo. As I will be on maternity pay at this time, this is absolutely unaffordable. 

There was NO mention of this on their website about the prices. I have checked trust pilot on this company and lots of reviews saying others fell for 'winning' the competition then the photographers pressure you into buying the prints even suggesting getting it on finance if you can't afford, and threatening to delete images if you don't purchase any

It wasn't mentioned at the stall, or while I was filling in my details that there was 3 different shoots to go to and after reading reviews of how other people have been treated, I really don't want to go

I've tried contacting company, heard nothing back just yet

How likely am I to get my money back ? £35 is quite a considerable amount of money to lose after winning a 'free competition' but I really don't want to go to the shoot 3 times, as well as additional times to look through photos etc with a newborn baby, and be pressured into buying something when I was told it was a free competition

How did you pay the £35?
You may be able to try charge back.

I don't think S75 will be possible at this stage.  There would be no breach of contract until you have attended all the photo shoots and then they refuse the refund.  That would also mean facing down the hardsell.

Have you actually asked for a refund?
The company might just give in.
If they don't and you explain you can never afford to buy the photos so it's a waste of their time to do the series of three photo shoots and better for all to do the sensible thing...

There are also consumer rules about conditions only shared after the contract is committed to as being unfair / disallowed.  I am not an expert but hopefully someone will be along soon to comment on that aspect.

S75 wouldn't apply regardless as it's under £100.

Murphybear

I can remember quite a long time ago, there were similar firms who gave you a full make up and hairstyle put you in good clothes and then took loads of photos.  The photos were a bit expensive but not prohibitive.  I can’t remember if you had to purchase at least one photo.  A girl at work had hers done and we were impressed.  This girl was a bit plain but she was stunning in the photo.  These firms aren’t around these days, I think when mobile phones and iPads with cameras became popular you could easily take your own photos for free.  I have at least 100 of our late cat (she was 20 ).  

Murphybear

There is a saying dating from the 1930s “TANSTAAFL”.   It means “there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch”.

Very true, back the. And now 

born_again

Grumpy_chap said:

laurjade said:

Hi

I went to a baby show yesterday and a stall was running a 'free' competition where if you guess the weight of the bear, you could win a photoshoot and the teddy bear. We was told we had to pay deposit of £35 if we won to secure a booking, but this would be refunded once we finished the photoshoot.

I received a text to say I had won, and I had 24 hours to claim my prize, first come first served. We paid the £35 deposit and then received the full package details. It turns out we have to attend 3 photoshoots at different ages of baby (10-21 days old, 6-9 months and 1 year), and only then we will receive our deposit back and the bear prize. The package included price list for prints - £60 for ONE 7x5 print which I find absolutely absurd!!!! And hundreds for one wall mounted photo. As I will be on maternity pay at this time, this is absolutely unaffordable. 

There was NO mention of this on their website about the prices. I have checked trust pilot on this company and lots of reviews saying others fell for 'winning' the competition then the photographers pressure you into buying the prints even suggesting getting it on finance if you can't afford, and threatening to delete images if you don't purchase any

It wasn't mentioned at the stall, or while I was filling in my details that there was 3 different shoots to go to and after reading reviews of how other people have been treated, I really don't want to go

I've tried contacting company, heard nothing back just yet

How likely am I to get my money back ? £35 is quite a considerable amount of money to lose after winning a 'free competition' but I really don't want to go to the shoot 3 times, as well as additional times to look through photos etc with a newborn baby, and be pressured into buying something when I was told it was a free competition

How did you pay the £35?
You may be able to try charge back.

I don't think S75 will be possible at this stage.  There would be no breach of contract until you have attended all the photo shoots and then they refuse the refund.  That would also mean facing down the hardsell.

Have you actually asked for a refund?
The company might just give in.
If they don't and you explain you can never afford to buy the photos so it's a waste of their time to do the series of three photo shoots and better for all to do the sensible thing...

There are also consumer rules about conditions only shared after the contract is committed to as being unfair / disallowed.  I am not an expert but hopefully someone will be along soon to comment on that aspect.

Sadly not.

libra10

Depending on the terms and conditions of the competition, you could make a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

https://www.asa.org.uk/

They can sometimes be very helpful.

Good luck