I won a competition. They don't want to give me my prizes. Can I suit them?

Question

I recently won a college singing competition. As the winner I was promised several prizes (of which includes a cellphone, clothing vouchers and more). Problem is, I can't seem to get the prizes from them. They come up with all kinds of excuses and keep telling me to come back the next day or week. It has been two months now and I still don't have anything to show for it. I want to know if it is possible for me to suit the organisers of the competition. If I can, what do I suit them for? Please include as much details as you can.

Answer 1

What you are describing is, in legal terms, Breach of Contract, and, yes, you are entitled to sue the comtest organizers if you are denied your prizes.

Advertising a promotional contest to the public is in the nature of an offer, an enforceable contract is formed when a party accepts that offer, and consideration is provided by entering the contest and complying with all of the terms of the offer.

It is common for prizes in such a competition to have an established limit time for delivery, sometimes as much as eight weeks. It sounds like you have been waiting at least that long. Unless your entry form said there would be a longer delivery time, I'd tell the contest organizers you will be consulting an attorney to bring a Breach of Contract action.

Answer 2

You can file a small claims lawsuit if the value of the items is less than $3,000 (or $5,000) depending on your state.  Hopefully you have a fl yer or can produce evidence that shows what prizes you were to win.  On the flier or advertisement for the event it should have given you a value for the prize you won.  This is the amount you can sue for.  You will also need the organizations name/title, address  and the individual who ran the contest so they can be served with the papers.  

Answer 3

if you have the competition rules in writing and what the prize is and proof that you won, then yes sue them.  You can go to small claims court and do it.  Or you can just black ball them around campus, that might do more harm to them than suing.  If they don't have the funds to give you your prize they most likely don't have the funds for anything else.  Maybe try taking your story with proof to the campus and local newspaper and exposing them, but make sure you have all your documents as back up

Good luck

Answer 4

The organizers of the competition aren't giving you what they promised.  You need to go the college administration offices or the dean of the college.

Your last resort is to sue (not suit) them in small claims court.

Answer 5

you are in college and don't know how to spell the word SUE???

you sue people you do not suit them!!!

was this a real competition or just some yahoos on campus that made a fool of you??

find out,any legitimate competition would have given whatever prizes that were promised to the actual winners.

maybe it is a scam.if you paid any money or whatever you have probably been scammed.contact your local police and do not be so gullible!!! good luck!

Answer 6

Is this college singing competition legitmate???

Also you should talk to your lawyer or to your family lawyer. The thing is that lawyers cost a lot of money and you could possibly lose money from all the process of suing them. If you will lose more than what you will gain from the lawsuit, then don't sue.

It is complicated to sue someone, and more complicated when suing a organization.

You could definately sue them and win for fraud.

If they somehow made profit from this competition you have a better case.

Gather as much proof. The flyers, witnesses, proof of you winning, proof that you were supposed to be awarded. If you think you have enough, you can always get more. Get as MANY evidences that could help you.

You could sue them and get what you deserved, or sue them and get more like extra cash for emotional distress.

However they need to say that they will not give you the prizes. Call them up and try to get what you won. RECORD the conversation.

For example, when recording, you need to have them say that you won and that they will not give you the prize.

good example of how you should do this

YOU: Hello, is this ******

THEM: Yes

YOU: I wen to the (name of the competition) few months ago, and want some information on that, you guys did host the (name of the competition) right?

THEM: Yes we did *

(they might want to hide this fact, so be positive about it saying that how much you loved it before asking if they hosted it)*

YOU: My name is *** ***, I entered the competition and won.

THEM: Yes, we know that (or they might not admit it, it would be nice if you have extra proof like a certificate)

YOU: I was supposed to be rewarded ***, ***, and *** for winning the competition.

THEM: (all they have to say is that you won and deserve the award)

I hope this helps, I will stop here if you have anymore questions email me at: [e-mail]

Im not a lawyer but I know a little bit about law, also you should just call a lawyer or someone you know whose a lawyer