Competition prize not received

[sparklesandglitter]

DC won a sporting event a month ago. She won a prize of £300 plus additional prizes to the approx value of £200. Due to Covid these were not handed out on the day. I have since been chasing the prizes with the organiser and keeping the sponsor updated. With hindsight there are many people in my situation now waiting for prizes, refunds, businesses waiting to be paid. I have been promised prizes have been posted - no tracking provided. I was promised the money was being transferred by last night - no money has arrived.
Legally what is my next step? Small claims court? Go to the press (small child will do a fantastic compo face! Lol)? I'm just really pissed off because the competition cost a not insignificant amount of money and I have a very upset small child who deservedly won. TIA

[FortunesFave]

Does the organisation have social media?

[sparklesandglitter]

Yes they block negative comments, there is a whole group set up recently full of people who are having issues

[FortunesFave]

Is the person you've been receiving promises from the same person who is in charge of their social media? How large is the org? Is it national with different groups? Or is it one entity?

[sparklesandglitter]

@FortunesFave

Is the person you've been receiving promises from the same person who is in charge of their social media? How large is the org? Is it national with different groups? Or is it one entity?

Small company but sponsored by national company. Sponsor has provided organisers with prizes, sponsors are being ignored too. I'm being robbed off with yes the money will be transferred by midnight/prizes will be with you by (last) Wednesday latest. I have this on text

[sparklesandglitter]

Fobbed not robbed

[sparklesandglitter]

National magazine is investigating the company too

[sparklesandglitter]

My thoughts are text tomorrow morning saying that by 1.00pm I want the prize money in the bank and proof of postage otherwise I'll take it further (via social media initially). Is that fair?

[Nikori]

It sounds like someone may have stolen the money. What do the company that paid the money want to do? Might be worth perusing it with the police.

[FortunesFave]

I would say you'll take it further via a solicitor...not via social media.

[AlwaysCheddar]

Contact the sponsor for their thoughts?

[prh47bridge]

Legally, your next step is to write to the competition organiser summarising the facts, stating how much they owe your son, including copies of any documents you will use to support your case, giving them a reasonable deadline for a response and stating that you will take legal action if they fail to respond by the deadline. This is called a "letter before action". If you search online, you will find template letters you can use.

Once the deadline in the letter has passed you can start your claim with the courts.

Going to the press or the social media are not legal steps. They may, of course, be effective but they don't get you any closer to getting the courts to force the organiser to pay up.

It is, of course, possible that the organiser is insolvent given that other people are having problems. If that is the case, there may not be any way to get your child's prize unless the sponsor is willing to step in and provide the prize direct to your child. You cannot force the sponsor to do this as they are not under any legal obligation. However, if their name was clearly associated with the competition, they may be willing to provide the prize as a goodwill gesture to avoid the negative publicity.

[sparklesandglitter]

@AlwaysCheddar

Contact the sponsor for their thoughts?

Already have done they are well aware but he is ignoring them too!

[sparklesandglitter]

@prh47bridge

Legally, your next step is to write to the competition organiser summarising the facts, stating how much they owe your son, including copies of any documents you will use to support your case, giving them a reasonable deadline for a response and stating that you will take legal action if they fail to respond by the deadline. This is called a "letter before action". If you search online, you will find template letters you can use.

Once the deadline in the letter has passed you can start your claim with the courts.

Going to the press or the social media are not legal steps. They may, of course, be effective but they don't get you any closer to getting the courts to force the organiser to pay up.

It is, of course, possible that the organiser is insolvent given that other people are having problems. If that is the case, there may not be any way to get your child's prize unless the sponsor is willing to step in and provide the prize direct to your child. You cannot force the sponsor to do this as they are not under any legal obligation. However, if their name was clearly associated with the competition, they may be willing to provide the prize as a goodwill gesture to avoid the negative publicity.

That's great thank you!

[sparklesandglitter]

@prh47bridge

Legally, your next step is to write to the competition organiser summarising the facts, stating how much they owe your son, including copies of any documents you will use to support your case, giving them a reasonable deadline for a response and stating that you will take legal action if they fail to respond by the deadline. This is called a "letter before action". If you search online, you will find template letters you can use.

Once the deadline in the letter has passed you can start your claim with the courts.

Going to the press or the social media are not legal steps. They may, of course, be effective but they don't get you any closer to getting the courts to force the organiser to pay up.

It is, of course, possible that the organiser is insolvent given that other people are having problems. If that is the case, there may not be any way to get your child's prize unless the sponsor is willing to step in and provide the prize direct to your child. You cannot force the sponsor to do this as they are not under any legal obligation. However, if their name was clearly associated with the competition, they may be willing to provide the prize as a goodwill gesture to avoid the negative publicity.

Can I ask is that small claims court?

[prh47bridge]

You don't specifically lodge a claim with the small claims court. You file your claim online at www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/web/mcol/welcome. Given the amount of money involved, it will be allocated to the small claims track.