I won the PC Format GI Joe Competition and Then Got Shafted

I was recently informed that I had won the GI Joe PC Format competition. You know, the comps that you SMS in an answer and your name. I was concerned because I didn't want to use up my luck before the myGaming PS3 competition, but I was excited nonetheless. I gave in my delivery details and waited patiently. I couldn't remember what the prize was, so when I got home, I dig up my September issue of PC Format, flipped through the pages, and found the competition.

This is a screenie of the competition page:

http://www.mygaming.co.za/forum/pict...&pictureid=702

Four days later, I was informed to pick up my delivery at the post office. I collected it, and opened it as soon as I got back to the office. This is what I found in the box:

http://www.mygaming.co.za/forum/pict...&pictureid=704

Charlotte's Web DVD <-- WTF! this is a GI Joe comp! What GI Joe fan would be caught dead watching this!
The Fast and the Furious DVD <-- You can get this for like R20 and coke.
Coraline PS2 game <-- I don't own a PS2
Transformers Action Figure <-- I buy PC Format, hence I can read, hence I am too old for cheap action figures.
A Pair of Watchmen sunglasses <-- Looks pretty cool though. Atleast it doesn't have "Watchmen" branded on the side.
GI Joe Waterproof Pod <-- WTF is this!?

Not only were none of the prizes listed, in the box, it looked like they just collected a bunch of stuff that no one wanted and sent it to me as some sort of sick joke. I was humiliated. Strontium Dog was amused. Where is my real prize!!? Where is my fridge magnet!!

Update:

I emailed the magazine editor, Nicholas Boerma, regarding this. He just called me now to apologise. He explained that the competition prizes are not handled by PC Format directly, but the people who are holding the competition. He didn't go into too much detail, but according to the competition page, I assume it's United International Pictures, as the competition is a promotion for the GI Joe movie.

So, my anger was incorrectly aimed at PC Format. Obviously, this competition prize balls up reflects badly on PC Format and Nicholas will ensure that U.I.P resolve this issue.

Who knows, I might get an apology printed in the next issue or even a cameo in a GI Joe sequel. Maybe have a new Joe created in my image called "HANDsolo", because he can only use pistols and camps a lot.

Update:

U.I.P. is sending me the correct prizes and has allowed me to keep the incorrect prizes too. Good thing too, as I am really getting into Charlotte' Web and need time to finish watching it :)

Update:

Just to let you guys know, the correct prizes were delivered last week. So stoked about the fridge magnet. I got to keep the incorrect prizes, although they weren't able to get the Duke T-shirt.

http://mygaming.co.za/forum/picture....&pictureid=750

Put all that on e-bay. You can at the very least get back bouble what you payed for the SMS.

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Prize Fail

Ja sell it to someone.those prizes are @#^&*

Phone PCFormat and tune em kak

Yeah I would give PCF an earful of note ..... I did that with NAG once and I benefited quite nicely.

Dude, u got shafted big time :eek: I would phone them and give em a serious talking to!

E-mail, Phone PC Format and tell them WTF that is not the prize advertised the mag.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Raven Gold

Put all that on e-bay. You can at the very least get back double what you payed for the SMS.

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LOL. You really think I can get R4 for this junk? :)

I'm definitely going to complain. Going to start by emailing a modified version of my original post, minus all the WTF's.

Quote:

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Charlotte's Web DVD <-- WTF! this is a GI Joe comp! What GI Joe fan would be caught dead watching this!
The Fast and the Furious DVD <-- You can get this for like R20 and coke.
Coraline PS2 game <-- I don't own a PS2
Transformers Action Figure <-- I buy PC Format, hence I can read, hence I am too old for cheap action figures.
A Pair of Watchmen sunglasses <-- Looks pretty cool though. Atleast it doesn't have "Watchmen" branded on the side.
GI Joe Waterproof Pod <-- WTF is this!?

Not only were none of the prizes listed, in the box, it looked like they just collected a bunch of stuff that no one wanted and sent it to me as some sort of sick joke. I was humiliated. Strontium Dog was amused. Where is my real prize!!? Where is my fridge magnet!!

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Lol dude, is that what that box of crap was that u opened the other day!!! :eek: :p

Yeah, seriously, tune them major [email protected] and don't let them hear the end of it until they give you the real goods or offer to name their first born after u or something!!! :D

Dude i bet u some1 would pay R1000 for those shades

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HANDsolo

Charlotte's Web DVD <-- WTF! this is a GI Joe comp! What GI Joe fan would be caught dead watching this!
The Fast and the Furious DVD <-- You can get this for like R20 and coke.
Coraline PS2 game <-- I don't own a PS2
Transformers Action Figure <-- I buy PC Format, hence I can read, hence I am too old for cheap action figures.
A Pair of Watchmen sunglasses <-- Looks pretty cool though. Atleast it doesn't have "Watchmen" branded on the side.
GI Joe Waterproof Pod <-- WTF is this!?

Not only were none of the prizes listed, in the box, it looked like they just collected a bunch of stuff that no one wanted and sent it to me as some sort of sick joke. I was humiliated. Strontium Dog was amused. Where is my real prize!!? Where is my fridge magnet!!

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This cracked me up!
Prize = EPIC FAIL!!!!

Bwhahahaha that is the most epic comp fail.

I would email them and tune them!

this is fraud, or at the very least, misrepresentation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

this is fraud, or at the very least, misrepresentation.

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+1whitetextforshortmessage

Sucks dude. I'd definitely complain. They can't advertise one thing and then give you another.

It's like winning a Ferrari and they deliver a Golf Velocity with ferarri stickers.

I would send those prizes back lol, false advertising FTL!

I call dibs on the Charlotte's Web DVD :D

I emailed them, including the photographic evidence. I also included the usual lines "I've been a loyal PC Format reader since the days when you still had demos on cassette" and "You're magazine rocks, keep up the good work". For the least, I could win Letter of the Month and get a free game.

Coraline PS2 game for me please :).

Haha that is a terrible prize. Especially after you wait to get something else. As the package arrive you open it in anticipation and then...

Charlette's Web! :D

Haha no sheesh I hope they give you the original prizes.

PCF = FAIL, you deserve it for reading that rag lol...

Kidding...

Hehe, I loled.

Erm, I know the PCF ed personally. He is a really awesome guy, I'm sure this is either A) an admin balls-up or B) a really funny practical joke.

Have dropped him an email linking to this thread, so hopefully we can at least get some sort of comment :)

mr Losco?

He's a cool oke, met him once or twice he was a bit gekuier and crashed at my friend's boss's place.

Update:

I emailed the magazine editor, Nicholas Boerma, regarding this. He just called me now to apologise. He explained that the competition prizes are not handled by PC Format directly, but the people who are holding the competition. He didn't go into too much detail, but according to the competition page, I assume it's United International Pictures, as the competition is a promotion for the GI Joe movie.

So, my anger was incorrectly aimed at PC Format. Obviously, this competition prize balls up reflects badly on PC Format and Nicholas will ensure that U.I.P resolve this issue. I update the original post with this info.

Who knows, I might get an apology printed in the next issue or even a cameo in a GI Joe sequel. Maybe have a new Joe created in my image called "HANDsolo", because he can only use pistols and camps a lot.

Props to PCF for such a quick response, even if it wasn't their error to being with. Hope you get sorted mate. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Maplassie

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Prize Fail

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lmao what a retarted win (no no you handsolo) :D

I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't, but ... I loled a bit. >_>

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Azimuth

I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't, but ... I loled a bit. >_>

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I was waiting for Azimuth's PC Format FTL! NAG FTW! response :)

Let's see whose laughing when I get a PS3 delivered personally by Sienna Miller as an apology :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HANDsolo

I was waiting for Azimuth's PC Format FTL! NAG FTW! response :)

Let's see whose laughing when I get a PS3 delivered personally by Sienna Miller as an apology :rolleyes:

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Hey dude, remember when you wanted to shaft that poor guy by overpricing an old PC of yours? Remember my comment about Karma? BWAHAHAHA!!!!!! :p

Good to hear you got the issue sorted bru ....... all of them have balls ups, it's how they sort it out that lets us see them as cool or idiots :)

Big up to PCF for helping you out Handsolo :) good for em, even though it's not handeled by them. It's good to know some people still do care about service :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Neo

Hey dude, remember when you wanted to shaft that poor guy by overpricing an old PC of yours? Remember my comment about Karma? BWAHAHAHA!!!!!! :p

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That would be karmic and it would have made me a believer. But, I received the prize before then. I just gave it a few days to get the shock and anger out of my system before planning my next move. Maybe the injustice I suffered drove me to take out my frustrations on an innocent. Maybe there is no such thing as Karma. Maybe karma was only a concept invented by Black Isle Studios.

Hahahaha @ Charlotte's Web!

How random.

bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha..... im sorry i just help but bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah.... im just catching my breath :p :D dude you have officially been sorry i gotta say it http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/w...rim/OWN3D2.jpg

I just got some funny looks, was lmao :D

Seriously, if they don't give you the prize(s) advertised or better, then u should lay a civil claim against them. It's like them pulling this on you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HANDsolo

I emailed them, including the photographic evidence. I also included the usual lines "I've been a loyal PC Format reader since the days when you still had demos on cassette" and "You're magazine rocks, keep up the good work". For the least, I could win Letter of the Month and get a free game.

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Well done with the self-restraint :p

Just don't let them get away with this because if you do, they are not only ripping you off, but also every poor sod who sent in an sms trying to win that GI Joe hamper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HANDsolo

Let's see whose laughing when I get a PS3 delivered personally by Sienna Miller as an apology :rolleyes:

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I will ... if they get your address wrong. :D

Ag nee man bliksem.

Doesn't skep a very good image for PC Format.