How to get company to cough up prize?

Montassis on 24/08/2017 - 08:30

Hi all,

So about 3-4 months ago I won a competition that I entered at a shopping centre. The prize was a $500 voucher, personal shopper, stylist and a few other things.

I've been in contact with the promotional company that ran the competition on behalf of the shopping centre and despite constant requests from me to set up dates they constantly evade and are not organising the prize. I always get 'we are sorry we will get onto it' or 'we are finding it hard to get the stylist to give us dates'.

Now pretty much 4 months on I'm pretty fed up with it. Any ideas on how to get them to cough up the prize? I was thinking social media, contacting someone higher up from the promotional company/shopping centre? Or is it normal to wait this long for this kind of thing?

General Discussion

Comments

  • theHMASfriendship on 24/08/2017 - 09:01
    +2

    What state? Could try fair trading.

    • Montassis on 25/08/2017 - 09:30

      Victoria, worth considering

  • [Deactivated] on 24/08/2017 - 09:01
    -4

    Bikies

    • [Deactivated] on 24/08/2017 - 13:12
      +4

      Everyone that down voted this should be banned from ozbargain

      • samfisher5986 on 25/08/2017 - 13:49
        +1

        Every thread does not need a post saying Bikies, grow up.

    • PJC on 24/08/2017 - 14:05
      +1

      Have a plus-vote for the sake of tradition.

      • [Deactivated] on 24/08/2017 - 16:50
        +1

        Xoxo

  • tomsco on 24/08/2017 - 09:17
    +2

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/53973

    Try that thread for a start.

    • Montassis on 25/08/2017 - 09:31

      Thanks

      • tomsco on 25/08/2017 - 10:08

        No worries. All the best!

  • Some Human on 24/08/2017 - 09:27
    +4

    Social media

  • djkelly69 on 24/08/2017 - 09:34
    +3

    I think competitions have to licenced/registered in most states, so if applicable, try the board/organisation which licences/registers them.

    • D C on 24/08/2017 - 13:06

      They do indeed, eg for NSW: https://www.onegov.nsw.gov.au/new/categories/promotion-lotte…

      If @OP still has his paperwork, it'll have the number on it. Running a promo without it is a no-no (note that there are 'game of chance' and 'games of skill' - different rules).

      Look up the competition by its number (or search for the shopping centre), lodge a complaint with 'Gaming NSW' or whoever for your state, and ring the shopping centre manager as well.

  • cupcake on 24/08/2017 - 09:41
    +1

    So you haven't received the $500 voucher yet? That is terrible of them!

  • bobbified on 24/08/2017 - 10:13
    +3

    You could do a write-up on the shopping centre's facebook page. That might pressure them into contacting the promotional company or even banning them altogether from ever holding comps in the shopping centre again.

    If nothing happens, name and shame please!

  • Seraphin7 on 24/08/2017 - 10:33
    +3

    Tell them to just dump the crap personal shopper/stylist and you'll settle for the $500 voucher.

    • Montassis on 25/08/2017 - 09:32

      Yeah to be honest I think this is the best bet. It just annoys me that they don't deliver on part of the prize… Maybe I should ask for two $500 vouchers

  • railspider on 24/08/2017 - 10:57

    Write them a physical letter, say you want the prize by X date or equivalent cash value, if not received by then you'll escalate all your evidence to an Ombudsman/Competition Authority/whoever sounds scary.

    Doesn't have to be a big emotional essay, just plainly state the facts. This has worked for me in the past. Do you have the original T&Cs of the competition? When was the prize meant to be delivered by?

    • Montassis on 25/08/2017 - 09:33

      Thats a good question, no don't have the original Ts & Cs, will have a look though

  • Hunter14 on 24/08/2017 - 11:35

    Man that is annoying. Like others have said. Write a firm letter then social media shame them if you still don't get it. Good luck.

  • sparkles on 24/08/2017 - 12:45
    +1

    Maybe you should contact management at the shopping centre and let them know their PR company have completely dropped the ball.

    Unless you really want the personal shopper and stylist, perhaps just aim for the $500 voucher. It's crap that as a "winner" you should have to chase your "prize". Kinda takes the shine off the whole experience, which should be a positive one.

  • outlander on 24/08/2017 - 16:36

    Call up again, don't hang up until you speak to the supervisor. Ask for their name, and the full name of their manager. Let them know that you will be keeping a record of the progress, and will make every endeavor to pass the details of the concern on to them or a higher authority should things prove unsatisfactory. If they ask you to wait for a response, ask them how long you should wait before calling back.

    I'm naturally pretty conflict avoidant when it comes to these things, but thats the general pattern I follow. Remain detached, inform don't threaten, don't be afraid to waste their time.

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