Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be slightly annoyed by misdescribed raffle prize?

127 replies

TheMadGardener · 22/11/2017 00:03

So last weekend was our local church bazaar and there was a big raffle with some great prizes. One of the top prizes was advertised as (and printed on the tickets) as "Dinner for two at (local very posh country house 5 star hotel and restaurant)". Nice prize. Anyway, I bought some raffle tickets.

We didn't stay for the raffle draw but later I got a phone call to say that I had won the "dinner for two at posh hotel" prize. I was really pleased and so was my husband. I went and collected my prize today, and in the envelope is a brochure from the hotel and a little slip which says "Voucher for two-course set menu lunch for two (drinks not included)."

I know I am BU to be a bit disappointed because we'll still get a free meal, but I think it''s a bit off to advertise it as dinner on the raffle tickets and then it turns out to be lunch instead. I don't think I'll tell the church though; wouldn't want to upset the vicar! Smile

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 22/11/2017 11:28

Grin Kurri

JonSnowsWife · 22/11/2017 11:29

Go to the dinner then pay an impromptu visit to the Vicars house afterwards and tell them the reason you assumed the drinks weren't included was because they were providing them afterwards with homemade mince pies. Wink

Viviennemary · 22/11/2017 11:31

It was a bit misleading but it's still a free meal. Nothing to do with the hotel but all to do with organiser of raffle and prizes. You could complain but if it's for a good cause then you would look a bit of an ungrateful scrooge.

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 22/11/2017 11:33

Op has not suggested at any point that she intends to complain to the organisers. In fact, she specifically said she won't. She's just bemused by the fact that she was given something completely different to what was advertised.
Calm down, folks. Save the frothing for a wheelchair on a bus thread.

melj1213 · 22/11/2017 11:34

The issue is that the OP received something that was different to what was offered, regardless of whether it was a prize, donation or not.

Making the organisers aware of the discrepancy is not the same as complaining and most organisations would actually like useful, constructive feedback that they can implement going forward for future events.

The OP would BU to complain but she would also NBU to make them aware of an issue with a prize they provided.

PinkHeart5914 · 22/11/2017 11:35

A raffle ticket probably cost you a few pounds at the very most and you’ve now got a two course lunch for 2 at a nice establishment, it’s not like you’ve had a kick in the tits is it?

If you don’t want it I’m sure it will be easy to pass on and hey someone might even pay what you did for the raffle ticket so your not out of pocket.

More than likely is was just a mix up between the church and the restaurant and in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t matter or maybe whoever was saying/wrote down what the price was calls lunch dinner

Sparklingbrook · 22/11/2017 11:35

Haven't seen a wheelchair on a bus thread for a while. It's all P&C spaces at the moment.

I hope the OP can find a way through all this.

shutitandtidyupgitface · 22/11/2017 11:37

A raffle ticket probably cost you a few pounds at the very most and you’ve now got a two course lunch for 2 at a nice establishment, it’s not like you’ve had a kick in the tits is it?

Thats not actually the point though is it? I can buy a raffle ticket to win a brand new mini cooper locally at the moment for a fiver. If I win and it's actually a second hand van, I'm going to be pretty pissed off. Same principle.

Sparklingbrook · 22/11/2017 11:39

Same principle maybe but if the charity are offering a brand new Mini Cooper it's likely to be a bit of a professional set up run by paid fundraisers, not comparable to a church fete arranged by volunteers.

whiskyowl · 22/11/2017 11:44

YANBU to be slightly disappointed, but a lunch out is still really lovely. I don't think drinks are usually included in these things, are they? The prize could end up costing the establishment a LOT of money if there was a free choice! You're right not to raise it as an issue.

shutitandtidyupgitface · 22/11/2017 11:47

How you feel about it is not changed by who is running it. What you might do or say might well be, but since OP is not going to do or say anything that is irrelevant.

The question is aibu to be slightly annoyed and the only sensible answer is of course not. Anyone can be slightly annoyed when they have been promised one thing and recieved another.

Sparklingbrook · 22/11/2017 12:03

It's just my opinion shutitandtidyupgitface. I used to volunteer for a charity that had paid fundraisers.

Original poster
TheMadGardener · 22/11/2017 13:45

Thanks for your thoughts. Don't worry, I'm not going to kick up a fuss but will just enjoy having a nice lunch for the cost of £1 spent on raffle tickets! (Plus cost of drinks obvs).

I haven't booked a date yet but if they said something like "only valid on Mondays" then I would be more than mildly miffed! Grin

OP posts:
burnoutbabe · 22/11/2017 13:54

I'd be a bit miffed if there wasn't any tip/service charge covered - it feels a bit cheapskate to go along, have no drinks bar tap water, and pay no tip so you'd probably pay those things which could be £30 or so. Even non tap water costs a bomb!

allthgoodusernamesaretaken · 22/11/2017 14:01

I would expect an evening meal, but not drinks. Maybe worth mentioning to the hotel to ask if there has been a misunderstanding, would they let you go at night instead?

kazillionaire · 22/11/2017 18:46

I think the restaurant donated two prizes and the Vicar has enjoyed the gorgeous dinner, leaving the OP with the dodgy lunch! Grin

SandyDenny · 22/11/2017 19:25

Was it a raffle that had a licence? I'm guess that giving the wrong prize is a breach to of the licence.

PuppyMonkey · 22/11/2017 19:30

"the church was wrong to sell raffle tickets offering something they couldn't deliver"

That's religion for you. Grin

nannybeach · 23/11/2017 08:36

Well someone famous once said there is no such thing as a free lunch, you may not have one anything, and presumably it was for a good cause? the church? Oh, you are going to enjoy your lunch for only £1, BUT God forbid, you have to pay for drinks, terrible, I would start praying quick!

3out · 23/11/2017 17:51

I think the posh place has said ‘yes, we’ll happily donate a meal for two’, and the organisers of the raffle have assumed it to be free to use at any time. Innocent mistake.

I’d never have thought drinks would be included.

pollymere · 23/11/2017 17:56

I once won Dinner at the Dorchester. Then got voucher for set amount which wouldn't cover much when we didn't have a lot of money. The Dorchester was lovely, they realised we were stressing about what we could afford.. They said to ignore the value and as long as we didn't eat the most expensive items, we could have what we liked. I would contact the hotel and ask if you could use it against a la carte or come in the evening (maybe offer to pay the difference if they seem sniffy).

MaggieS41 · 23/11/2017 18:26

It’s not the point whether it’s a free meal or not and funds going to the church etc etc... It is misleading full stop. When you go to a restaurant there’s a lunch menu and a dinner menu no matter what part of the UK you live in or what you choose to call it! The voucher said lunch, not dinner between 12 and 2pm!

MaggieS41 · 23/11/2017 18:27

In saying that (above) enjoy your meal and I’d probably leave it at that...!

GracielaSabrocita · 23/11/2017 18:32

someone made a well-intentioned mistake

Yeah right. Someone lied for financial gain. If the Op doesn't say something then it's an invitation to continue.

MasterofKittens · 23/11/2017 18:35

Be thankful you won a lovely prize is ny advice

Swipe left for the next trending thread