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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to push for more from this high street company that lied and humiliated me?

555 replies

redrugroffle · 30/05/2012 10:20

Sorry, name changing old timer to protect my RL identity on here (yawn, yes I know- please feel free to quiz me on MN howlers past and present)

I was shopping on a busy saturday in a chain. A lady approached me she was the manager.

She introduced herself and said she wondering if I would help her as she'd had no luck for the last hour and needed a candidate to take part in a radio phone in show- prizes/money going to charity and their staff and the chance to win an electrical appliance for myself???

I asked how long it would take and agreed as long as it would be swift as I felt a bit sorry for her Blush- I also asked what charity it would be for and whether it would be filmed? She was vague and said she wasn't fully briefed on the details. She then laughed and said that this was very much the "style" of their company. That they were very up on motivation for the staff, crazy competitions, incentives etc. I took this on trust and they are a very big company.

We went to her office and the phone rang on speaker phone- radio guy with jingles in background etc- asks me where I'm from, age, name etc.

It was then put on handset and I had to answer a few qs and agree whether or not to perform some silly tasks (think Chris Evans old style larking) some I did some I refused (every refusal got money for the charity)

Anyway- fast forward 20 mins and I cut ot off (as I wanted to go and was stretched for time. I'd won ££ for charity, 2 prizes for the staff and a prize for myself to be collected from the store on the following Tuesday and £3000 worth of stuff.

I was really pleased and as I fundraise for a local charity I asked if my prize could be donated to my chosen charity as well as thiers (I've got no need for another toaster of cake mixer Grin) I was told we will see on Tuesday.

I arrive on Tuesday (this place is a 55 mile round trip for me)

The manager looks solemn. She takes me to the office and tells me she's been stupid, it was a hoax, nobody was coming in.

She gave me a £20 voucher for my girl (it was her birthday) and asked me to leave. Sad

I've since called their customer services to demand an inquiry into her behaviour and to get some token for being humiliated, out of pocket and time.

They've not called me back.

They've said they're sorry but these things happen????

I've nobody except my close friend to asked and he advised me that he'd be going for the complete amount of things I was promised and to not compromise.

So your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
GrahamTribe · 30/05/2012 10:24

What?!

The manager set you up? Knowing it was a hoax? Or have I got that wrong?

Either way if I were you I'd be naming the company right here and now.

FetchezLaVache · 30/05/2012 10:25

Very big company? Complain to head office. You took the whole thing on trust and there was absolutely no reason why you shouldn't! At the very least they need to come up with a very large donation to your charity and to refund your travel costs and time for the special trip you made on Tuesday. I bet the media would be very interested, too.

FetchezLaVache · 30/05/2012 10:25

Oh yes, and do name and shame, as GT said.

Chrysanthemum5 · 30/05/2012 10:25

I don't understand this. The manager deliberately set up a hoax? Why?

WorraLiberty · 30/05/2012 10:27

www.veryconfused.com

Confused
Original poster
redrugroffle · 30/05/2012 10:27

I need to clarify.

I have been told.The manager was set up not me, well that is what they are all saying.

I don't mean to sound paranoid but to be very honest with you, why should I trust what any of them say now?

They offered yesterday to give £50 to my charity. I'm not happy with that to be honest. Sad

I did tell them yesterday I will go to the press and I want it in writing that none of it had been filmed.

OP posts:
TheCraicDealer · 30/05/2012 10:28

WTAF? I mean, times are hard in retail, but what would you have to be on to think this was in any way a good idea?! That manager is a crazy horse. Name and shame!

Original poster
redrugroffle · 30/05/2012 10:29

It is a big and rapidly expanding company.

They (customer services chief)have yet to call me back and couldn't be bothered to call yesterday. I've had to call them 4 times and insist they ring me back so as not to incur more costs.

OP posts:
Nancy66 · 30/05/2012 10:30

What?

Do not follow this at all, sorry.

Original poster
redrugroffle · 30/05/2012 10:30

TheCraicdealer. Yes the manager mentioned that this kind of thing was good publicity for the store Sad

I'm a mug.

OP posts:
Original poster
redrugroffle · 30/05/2012 10:30

nancy what bit don't you get? (not being snippy)

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 30/05/2012 10:31

I would definitely keep on at Head Office and find out every single detail of how this was allowed to happen...and exactly who was responsible for it.

Then and only then can you decide whether the £70 compo they're offering you is suitable.

IvanaNap · 30/05/2012 10:31

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn as this poster has privacy concerns.

WorraLiberty · 30/05/2012 10:32

What is the name of the company/shop?

You are allowed to name them you know.

Nancy66 · 30/05/2012 10:32

redrugroffle - our posts clashed. You've clarified now.

Can't you name the shop? Is it a fashion chain?

I'd contact them again - give them a deadline and say that you feel very humiliated and are considering contacting your local regional TV

serotoninbutterfly · 30/05/2012 10:32

This is very odd. Deffo name and shame.

TheCraicDealer · 30/05/2012 10:35

Frig the radio station, go to the Daily Mail! This is their bread and butter. You could get a picture of you and your daughter holding the £20 gift voucher looking mournful in the paper...

And don;t be so hard on yourself, you were trying to do a nice thing!!!

ThisWeekonFancyPuffin · 30/05/2012 10:37

Shock Confused

You need to name and shame. I would be very concerned that I had been filmed. Am a confused at who was set up though, the manager? Why?

FetchezLaVache · 30/05/2012 10:37

So who set the manager up? If this is what happened, surely they will be eager to work with you to get compensation from this mysterious party?

You're not a mug- the whole thing sounds like it was done very believably.

Original poster
redrugroffle · 30/05/2012 10:39

Thank you so much for your support.

I know this will sound crazy. I never get taken in by anything which is too good to be true. I'm not a greedy sap. But it's really rather shaken me.

Am I being greedy. I think what they've offered is pitiful.

Will I get the manager fired? (if yes I shouldn't continue as her livlihood is compromised Sad)

OP posts:
Original poster
redrugroffle · 30/05/2012 10:39

I have contacted the radio station is does exist- they have yet to call me back???

OP posts:
kali110 · 30/05/2012 10:40

If the manager was set up too,its not her fault either,and shes probably been in a load of trouble for it,sounds like she thought she was doing a nice thing id be after the radiostation,not the company.

hippoCritt · 30/05/2012 10:42

What about asking the advertising standards people ASA? Competitions run have to follow specific rules, am fairly sure duping people falls foul of them.

Chrysanthemum5 · 30/05/2012 10:44

It sounds as if you did this to be kind to the manager, and win prizes for your charity so you've nothing to feel bad about. The company involved need to watch out though, their customer services sounds pretty rubbish. They are lucky you are a kind person and are not naming and shaming!

DogEared · 30/05/2012 10:45

Shock You poor woman.
I would phone the store and say that the compensation they offered was not sufficient and that you'll be going to the local press. I would also contact the police because if there's a group of people going round fraudulently saying they're collecting for charity... Angry