Running an illegal lottery
I have sent in multiple postal entries, with the most recent being signed for two days before the draw, yet no ticket was issued. All Ts and Cs followed. I've sent a number of emails which have all gone unanswered. I remember when these were called South West Watch Competitions, postal entries were not added then either. They haven't signed up to the Voluntary Code of Conduct, which raises concerns about their willingness to follow the rules. I've followed their complaints process and I'm yet to receive any correspondence. Reporting them to the Gambling Commission.
Reply: I'd like to respond to your points one at a time.
Firstly, you say your records show you have "successfully received, acknowledged and processed a number of postal entries" As Premier Prize Competitions, I can confirm that this is a lie. I have received no tickets for any entries I have submitted.
Secondly, you say you've "received a significant volume of correspondence" - I've sent a total of four emails, all of which were professional and courteous in tone and nature. I received zero responses from yourselves. The fact that your first response is to a review, is rather worrying, and you haven't acknowledged my complaint directly.
Thirdly, you have there right who to choose business with, but not the right to ignore the rules set out by the Gambling Commission. You said that you "no longer accept entries, whether by the free postal entry route or through paid entries" - I've just tested this and was allowed to purchase a ticket without any issue.
Finally, you say "this decision has been made to protect our staff from unnecessary distress". I don't think you can call processing postal entries or replying to genuine emails "distress". The free entry route is the reason you are allowed to operate without a gambling licence, and you even state in your terms and conditions to contact via email if there are any questions about the free postal entry route.
I look forward to receiving a response to my complaint, and hope that this highlights to others the nature in which you operate.
Respuesta de Premierprizecompetitions
Thank you for taking the time to leave your review.
We’re disappointed to read your comments, as they do not reflect the full history of our interactions.
Premier Prize Competitions operates a free postal entry route in accordance with our Terms & Conditions and UK promotional competition requirements. We process all valid postal entries that are correctly completed and received before the relevant closing date. Unfortunately, we cannot accept responsibility for postal delays, items not received by Royal Mail, or entries that do not comply with the published requirements.
Our records show that we have successfully received, acknowledged and processed a number of your previous postal entries. Where entries have not been accepted, this has been because they were not received, arrived outside the competition timeframe, or did not meet the requirements of our Terms and Conditions.
Over a prolonged period, we have also received a significant volume of correspondence from you. Despite our efforts to respond and assist, the tone and nature of these communications has led to an irretrievable breakdown in the customer relationship.
As a private business, we reserve the right to refuse service where appropriate. Following careful consideration, we have decided that we will no longer accept entries from you, whether via the free postal entry route or through paid entries. This decision has been made to protect our staff from unnecessary distress and to allow us to focus on providing a positive experience for the vast majority of our customers.
We wish you all the best for the future.
Premier Prize Competitions