Comping win misleading?

A question about : Comping win misleading?

Hi guys, this is my first ever post (I think) so be gentle.

I recently won a prize in a competition run by a famous retailer and was delighted, as it was an expensive bed, the biggest prize I have ever won! (I don't want to name the exact competition or company at this time)

The competition claimed the bed was worth an exact figure, over Ј3000 and did not specify the size of the bed in the small print (I checked)

I followed the link they had posted in the competition and saw it was for a bed that came in multiple sizes. I selected the biggest size and the price was the same as the exact figure quoted in the competition. I therefore assumed the prize was for this size of bed.

However, when the company giving away the bed got in touch, they revealed that the prize was actually a bed two sizes smaller, worth around Ј1000 less.

This sounds like the most ungrateful thing ever, and I am still delighted to have won this fantastic, luxury prize, but I am curious what other forum members think. Was this competition misleading? It did quote the price for the larger size of bed.

I did point out the discrepancy to the representative from the company and they said it was basically an error in the way the competition was advertised, but that the prize was definitely the smaller bed.

I don't think it can be put down to price differences between companies either, as the price they quoted was the price in the link they provided, to a bed that they themselves sell and stock.

Has anyone else had anything similar happen? I don't think I intend to complain, as I am so happy to have won, but I suspect others would have decided to argue the case.

Best answers:

• Retail price and actual cost price have a massive difference
  I could sell you something for Ј100 when it costs me Ј25
• Difficult to comment without actually seeing the terms and the actual wording of the competition .
• I feel that you could have a case considering the size wasn't mentioned in the small print, and that the advertised cost is not the cost of the winning prize.
  I guess it depends on what size of bed you actually want and if it's worth the hassle of trying to get the actual prize. It does sound like you have been short changed from the info you've given.
  They have admitted an error which is their fault and not yours, and imo they should be rectifying their error in your favor. Try some more dialogue with them and casually mention that you are looking in to competition advertising rules to see if they have broken any.
• If t'were me, I wouldn't jump in yet with mentioning rules or anything official. I would hold back on that as a trump card to play later, but only if needed. First, I would approach them in as friendly a tone as possible, suggesting that given that they acknowledge that they made an error in listing the competition, and that you entered in good faith, understandably believing the prize was for the bigger bed, that do they not think that in these circumstances they should change the prize for the bed you (and probably others) expected it to be.
  If that doesn't get you the right result, you could (only if you want to) ask how much extra they would expect you to pay to upgrade it. Perhaps they'll give you a generous price. But you may feel this would be unfair, regardless of the price, and prefer not to ask them this.
  If none of that gets you the outcome you want, then I would suggest, as tactfully as possible, that you are reluctantly considering contacting the competition authority for advice.
  Blu X
• i would be grateful to get a grands worth of bed
  it might only alienate the promoter from running other comps
• Thanks everyone, some food for thought here. I do agree that it is still a fantastic prize and am very grateful to get it, so don't think I'll be complaining but I did wonder if they had broken any rules.
• Without seeing the terms and conditions nobody will be able to tell you really.
• and they said it was basically an error in the way the competition was advertised
  I would challenge it. Start of politely and then push harder. Use polite comments on their FB page maybe ...
• can you show us what comp it was
  its ok you wont get into trouble
• Alternatively, they will believe they can get away with what is effectively sharp practice until they run up against someone who is prepared to make a stand
  Bottom line is, would you trust this company to treat you fairly? Because on the information given , I wouldn't
  JMHO