Cash "win" now an aggravation

sweepyhead

sweepyhead

Member
Cash "win" now an aggravation

In December, I "won" $1,250 from the V-local.com contest, and was asked to provide my license to prove my identity and age requirements. I did so immediately, and was told to expect my prize soon.

"Soon" is almost 2 months later. They emailed me about ten days ago, asking me if I sent my license because they don't have it. I said that I did long ago, and sent it again. Then they asked if I sent a W9. I said I wasn't asked to in the original winning emails, so filled in a W9 with my social security number and other info and sent that too. After that, I didn't hear back.

Two months later I'm still waiting for the prize, and now wondering if this company is legitimate - after harvesting my private info and delivering no prize. The contact there said he learned my check was mailed "last week" but nothing comes.

Very aggravated over this, and could use feedback. :cussing:
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

It amazes me when sponsors take so long to get prizes out and can totally see how this would be aggravating. I would keep on them and not let it go, especially seeing as you did everything they asked of you and have your personal info. I will see if I can find anything more on V-local.com.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

I'm used to waiting a long time for prizes, having been in this game for so long. The issue is getting jerked around so much without them producing anything. He told me on 2/18 that the check was mailed last week. So... what gives?

Yes, please find out what you can about this V-Local.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

Hello,

I am a representative from V-Local and I can tell you that the sweepstakes and company are both legitimate.

I'm not sure why it took so long for you to recieve the prize money - I will certainly do my best to expedite the process.

But I cannot tell who you are by your profile here.

Please respond and we will work with you to get the prize money you have won.

Thank you.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

mdrenner said:
Hello,

I am a representative from V-Local and I can tell you that the sweepstakes and company are both legitimate.

I'm not sure why it took so long for you to recieve the prize money - I will certainly do my best to expedite the process.

But I cannot tell who you are by your profile here.

Please respond and we will work with you to get the prize money you have won.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Sending you a p.m.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

Well, it's been four days since the site rep responded here. I acted immediately by sending him a PM with my info.

He has not responded to the PM, nor emailed me. My snail mail just came, and I have not received anything resembling a prize from them.

This is typical of the way I've been jerked around by this company: they talk a good game about sending a prize, then they send no prize. Either they are not a legitimate company, haven't the money to pay for the prizes or their prize administration is hopelessly FUBAR. Take your pick.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

This is the original email text received on December 30th, 2009:

"Thank you for registering to win part of the V-Local.com $50,000 giveaway!

You are our fifth winner and we would like to send you the $1250.00 prize as soon as possible!

In order to confirm your age and location, please choose one of the following options:

1. Scan and email a copy of your Drivers License to [email protected]

Or

2. Mail scanned copy of your Drivers License to:

Attention: Rachel Schweiger
250 2nd. Ave S. Suite 106A
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Once we receive this confirmation, we will send you the $1250.00 Prize Check!

Make sure to check back to V-Local.com on Jan. 15, 2010 for the Live Grand Prize drawing as you are still eligible to win $10,000!

Have a great holiday season and remember to Think Global Live Local."

I'm going to continue to out them until they make good on this.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

mdrenner, who responded above, is apparently the marketing director of the company. I emailed him just now.

I found this info at CEO Steve Renner's marketing blog, steverenner.com (which has a broken contact page, btw). They must know that "online scam" is not a good keyword to rank for, and will hop to it and send my prize! Hmmm.....
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

I finally got a response from Matt Renner who is "checking with billing," and I will update this thread if and when I start feeling the cash prize love.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

A week after hunting down the marketing director, nothing has happened. He said he's "looking into it," and so far no cigar or email follow up.

This "win" has been very disappointing, and the sponsor seems iffy. I don't know what to do about it.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

you can always go to the Better Business Bureau. Over the years I have made two complaints through there ...one for an online games and prizes site and another for an online purchase that i never received and couldn't get a response. Both times I had responses from someone high in the company withing 24-48 hours. And my problems were resolved to one degree or another. Even if your problem isn't solved atleast the BBB would be aware of the issue and many people do research there before using a site.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

So sorry to hear this. One time. when i first started sweeping, i won a gift card from a Woman's Day Survey. and they kept telling me that they were going to mail it out, never received it, then i got an email from a 3rd party, and he said he knew nothing about the win and that i wouldn't be receiving my prize, I got so disgusted that i mailed Woman's Day headquarters a copy of all the emails that were sent to me, and within 2 weeks I received my gift card in the mail.

Sometimes you have to keep after them. Some companies are very good, they mail it out right away. Just like they said they would. Other times it takes a long time to get a prize.
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

wow...sorry to hear about the hassles but it should work out. WHENEVER I have to send in ANYTHING to claim a prize, be it affidavit etc... I ALWAYS send it via certified mail, signature required and return receipt required. This way u can prove u sent it as it had been signed for and also by who signed it, date and time.
Always good to be able to prove things like that as I too had issues in past w/one prize sweeps that I won quite a few times. They actually made an error and sent me the $250.00 prize win twice a week a part.... and then overnighted it to boot. I was shocked when the extra check arrived to say the least... :laughing:
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

eflynn said:
wow...sorry to hear about the hassles but it should work out. WHENEVER I have to send in ANYTHING to claim a prize, be it affidavit etc... I ALWAYS send it via certified mail, signature required and return receipt required. This way u can prove u sent it as it had been signed for and also by who signed it, date and time.
Always good to be able to prove things like that as I too had issues in past w/one prize sweeps that I won quite a few times. They actually made an error and sent me the $250.00 prize win twice a week a part.... and then overnighted it to boot. I was shocked when the extra check arrived to say the least... :laughing:
Click to expand...

Well, I have done all that in the past, except they asked for email attachments of my paperwork.

I wouldn't be so mad if they were simply more communicative about this problem. The follow up email I got in February really upset me the most. The site rep said he didn't see that I was issued a check, and didn't I send my ID? And then didn't I send the W9? So I'm redoing all this paperwork per his request, with the expectation that there would be prize delivery. Then he says my check was mailed last week (in the middle of Feb.). No prize and no response from this guy after all that.

And then the other guy whom I had to nail down says he's already paid out $10,000 from this contest, but I get no follow up response and no check.

I had high hopes of paying bills with this money. What am I supposed to think?
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

Contact Mr Renner at V-Local Directly with a pleasant surprise phone call! Here is the phone number for Matt Renner in Marketing. Be sure to nicely let him know that you are not pleased.

Here's the contact info:

Marketing and Business Development Inquiries:
[email protected]
612-460-4793

V-Local
250 Second Avenue South, Suite 145
Minneapolis, MN 55401
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

Sorry about what your are going through. I would definately not give up! Let us know when you get the check. :wave:
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

sweepyhead said:
jaxwinner; said:
Their twitter is http://www.twitter.com/vlocal.
Click to expand...

Update: no check, no email from sponsor.

I have stepped up the harassment, and tweeting every day about the missing prize money. The longer it takes for them to fix this the more poisoned their brand becomes.
Click to expand...

Have you called Matt Renner on the phone or just sending emails and Tweets???? If not, confront him over the phone:

612-460-4793
 
Re: Cash "win" now an aggravation

I couldn't get them on the phone. If I don't get paid by the end of this month, I am going to begin the process of suing them in small claims court. You don't need an attorney for that.

I think members here should be warned permanently about this sponsor if they ever ask to be listed here again.
 
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