Prize changed after competition - who is BU?

[Carravaggio]

I entered a competition that was on Facebook and other social media platforms. The page was for an online magazine. The post stated that the prize was 2BB1D plus a round of golf in a 4 star hotel. We won and a voucher was received from the hotel.

However the hotel voucher is for 2 nights B&B only. I called to book and explained then emailed with a copy of the FB post and voucher. They replied saying they look forward to welcoming us for 2 nights including breakfast

It seems clear that dinner and golf are no longer a part of the prize.
I am grateful but is there any point in trying to get dinner included?!

Bait and switch, trying to get you to spend more money on things that should be included.

I would be seriously pissed off with this also. The draw gave them free advertising and now they are going back on what they promised. I would pursue it and shame them into paying up. Send them copies of the tickets, FB pages and whatever else you have.

I would also send the same to the organisers of the competition. This is really bad form.

These competitions are scams to get people to spend on expensive add ons that should be included.

You're going to the wrong people- go to the magazine not hotel.

Is the advert for the competition still on the magazines Facebook page? If so screenshot it now. Then message the page and ask for clarification regarding dinner and golf. See what they come back with.

Did you screenshot the terms and conditions of the prize?

Or take a couple of pot noodles OP lol

There will probably be something in the terms and conditions about substituting a prize for something else of equal value.

But as you're not being offered something different but of equal value, I'd complain!

Contact the magazine. If they have incorrectly advertised a prize they had been given by a sponsor they are going to have to stump up the money for the difference. It’s illegal to falsely advertise and you can take to trading standards. Contact the magazine telling them what you are already done to rectify but be very clear it’s their responsibility to honour the prize for the competition they ran and organised. You can say you are happy to forego the golf as a compromise but the inclusion of dinner is non negotiable. Be direct and firm, they are in the wrong.

I'd call again and ask to speak to a manager. You need to stand your ground a bit sometimes.

I once won an ipad from a car dealership. It arrived and it was clearly used. When I rang up and said I wasn't impressed he said, "Its an ipad isn't it?"
I told him "Look, I know you're over 2 hours away from me by car, but I am setting off now so I'll be with you by 3pm. That will give you enough time to get a new one and you can present it to me, if you like you can take some photos for your social media. Either that or I will take some photos for my social media"
Turned up 2 hours later and I had a brand new ipad waiting for me.

Ask them openly on all their social media pages.

If to was at I typo right even maybe a small company I’d let it go. But an online magazine magazine needs uphold advertising standards. And we all need to make sure they do. Take it up with the magazine & report if necessary.

I’d be posting their scam all over social media until they’re shamed into doing the right thing

What did the competition Terms & Conditions state about offering a different prize? Most include something about reserving the right to offer something else

Yes but it has to be of equal or higher value and promoters also have to take reasonable steps not to disappoint participants.

Two nights' B&B isn't the same or better than Two nights B&B dinner and golf.

Don't let it go OP - the magazine should sort this out. They will have (probably) engaged an agency to run the promotion for them.

Don't give up on this.

If you've got the evidence from the competition and a copy of the terms and conditions, then they can't just offer you less than you've won.

Take it up with the magazine though, they need to sort with the hotel.

Also threaten the ASA and I think there's a competitions regulator as well. And go to them with evidence if the magazine/hotel don't pony up.

Take a luxury picnic with you and champagne.

Yes, it's absolutely the magazine who are at fault here, not the hotel. The hotel might have some leverage with the magazine, and especially if you threaten to go public. But I would focus your complaint on the magazine.

You really need to take this up with the magazine, not the hotel.

I could offer a prize of a ipad right now, and it would have nothing to do with Apple if I gave you something different when you turned up. It would be me you needed to complain to.

You can also ask the magazine on their facebook page rather than as a private message. Include the photographs and be quizzical rather than accusatory.

I decided to try to get it clarified by email from the hotel first before I go to the Magazine;

Dear Leona,
Thank you for your update. I will ensure to bring the voucher on arrival.

Can you please confirm that dinner and golf for two are no longer part of the prize? I believe both would need to be booked in advance of arrival if required?

Kindest Regards,
Carravaggio

@milliefiori that sounds like a lovely idea. I have checked their menu and 70 quid for steak is a bit out of my comfort zone

Could be worse ... could have won the BDO world darts championship! (getting £23k against an earlier promise of £100k).

But why are you clarifying anything with the hotel?

Dear magazine, as advertised screenshot my prize should be 2BB1D + golf at fancy hotel. Voucher has arrived photo stating only 2BB. As this is not what was advertised can you arrange a voucher for the full prize value to be sent immediately so that we may book our stay.

Stop writing to the hotel. The magazine ran the competition and offered the prize. Deal with the magazine.