Won Tropical Smoothie Contest-Keep Getting The Runaround

R

ruehlbabe925

New member
Just wanted to report a win that's turned into me being left in the dark! :cry:
I won the most creative flip flop contest from Tropical Smoothie's Facebook page, but I'm having a hard time getting information from them and I haven't even started the process of receiving the information about my prize yet.
The contest was going on on June 11th and it ended on June 24th. Then winners announced on June 29th. Entrants were supposed to post an original picture of their most Creative Flip Flops up and kids attending Camp Sunshine were said to vote for their favorite entry and the winner would receive a 5 night beach vacation to Marenas Beach Resort in Miami and a $800 travel stipend, the rules also said value shouldnt exceed $2,500.
Here's where things start getting messy:
The day before the winner was announced they posted on the facebook fan pg. that they were going to announce the winner on the 29th like planned. However, they failed to announce the winner until July 3rd! In between this time period they ignored all questions related to the contest, and anyone who posted on the wall asking who won.
When they finally announced me as the winner of the contest, they sent an email to my email address right away stating:

Congratulations on being selected by the children at Camp Sunshine as the winner of our Most Creative Flip Flops Winner! You have won a 5 night stay at the Marenas Beach Resort and Spa in Sunny Isles, Florida along with a travel stipend for you and your guest of $800. We will be contacting you later this week with more details on how to make the arrangements for the trip. Please respond to this email to let us know you have received notification of winning. If you do not respond by Monday, July 9th, 2012, we will be selecting an alternate winner. Thanks so much and congratulations once again!

K****
Social Media Manager
Tropical Smoothie Café
7000 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Building 2, 3rd Floor
Atlanta, GA 30328

I replied that day, and let them know I was excited and grateful for the prize and that I'd claimed it. Got no email back. Then that Friday I'd sent another email asking if they'd gotten mine. Still nothing back, so I called that same day and I was told they were busy from the holiday of July 4th just passing and that they were working with the sponsor to get everything sent out. I let them know that was fine, and they told me to expect an email in my inbox on Mon. or Tues of this week. Still nothing so I emailed them about an hour ago stating:

Hello Ms. K****,

I was just contacting you again regarding the information that was supposed to be sent out for the Most Creative Flip Flop contest. I received an email from you last week on July 3rd stating that I would get the information on how to make travel arrangements for the trip later that week. But I didn't receive one back, so I called you on Friday, July 6th to confirm that you received my two emails which were sent out that week.
They were received, however I got notice that things were hectic at the corporate office and with the sponsor. So it should be expected that the information would take some time to be sent out so I should expect an email on Monday or Tues. of this week.
I haven't received an email back as of yet, so I'm just touching base with you to inquire around what timeframe I should be expecting the information by.

I'm not sure if I should get in touch with the resort or give Tropical Smoothie a call in the morning.....? While I am extremely grateful that I won the contest and that I'm even receiving a prize. I'm already having problems with them, plus they've proven that they're disorganized, so naturally I'm getting a little worried. They keep giving me dates and then there's no fuffillment on their end...Any advice???
 
Hi.
I know you are anxious but claiming a prize can be a long process. Just remember to be calm and very sweet. I have found that approach can go a long way. I would give them a few more days and then call. They could be working with a travel agency and that could take awhile to work out the details. Good luck and relax. I have had delays of up to a year and the sponsor always came through.
 
Thank you so much for your reply :cheers:
It is true that you get more from being nice and sweet to people, so I will try your approach. If don't hear anything back I'll go ahead and give them another call on Friday. I really hate to start hounding them, however they're not giving me much information, even if its just a quick follow up.



sutton28 said:
Hi.
I know you are anxious but claiming a prize can be a long process. Just remember to be calm and very sweet. I have found that approach can go a long way. I would give them a few more days and then call. They could be working with a travel agency and that could take awhile to work out the details. Good luck and relax. I have had delays of up to a year and the sponsor always came through.
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:headbang: Congratulations on the wonderful trip win. Trip wins can take time to arrange. It's not unusual for it to take weeks or months to get the information. Have you even received an affy to fill out including a 1099 for tax purposes?
 
pmeek said:
:headbang: Congratulations on the wonderful trip win. Trip wins can take time to arrange. It's not unusual for it to take weeks or months to get the information. Have you even received an affy to fill out including a 1099 for tax purposes?
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thank you so much ! i appreciate it!!
yepp thats what everyone is telling me so far. i just wish they would've told me that themselves.
nope, i haven't recieved a thing yet, and they haven't told me if or when they'd be mailing anything out to me.
 
ruehlbabe925,

I sent you a pm to let you know I moved your post here. Admin wants us to keep the Winner's Circle only for posting wins since it links from the home page.
 
First off, CONGRATS ruehlbabe925!!! :headbang: :cheers: :headbang: :cheers: :headbang:

TropicalSmoothieCafe.Com - Most Creative Flip Flops Photo Contest
The trip includes accommodations for two for five nights at the Marenas Beach Resort & Spa, resort fees and complimentary parking, as well as an $800 travel voucher, which can be used towards airfare. Hotel accommodations are valid for one year based upon availability and subject to blackout dates. The photos will be judged by kids from Camp Sunshine.
Restrictions : 18+ US | Hits : 100 | Added : 06-12-12 | Expired : 06-24-2012 | Rules

Entry Category : Facebook


It looks like you skipped the usual track of entering for weeks/months/years before winning, then you went straight to winning a biggie, so you don't know the ropes yet - no worries, we have many experienced sweepers, like sutton28 & pmeek who do know the ropes, and who are willing and able to answer your questions! :sunny:

Not to mention, SA has multiple threads re: Trip wins, such as:

Trip wins
http://www.sweepstakesplus.com/smf/empty-t17786.0.html

Has anyone been able to extend a winning trip?
http://www.sweepstakesplus.com/smf/empty-t29216.0.html

ARV and your taxes {TY to LIDARKSIDE}
http://www.sweepstakesplus.com/smf/arv-and-your-taxes-ty-to-lidarkside-t50686.0.html

If you have the time, reading through those threads will give you answers to questions you might not of thought of yet, and you don't have to wait for someone to respond! :laughing:
 
Also - most fulfillment takes 8 - 10 weeks from when you have been confirmed - ie: they received your affy {affy is short for affidavit} but as noted, trip wins aren't done like most fulfillment - there are variables like:

loren brothers said:
hostaaddict:

After putting together the trip I won to Australia, I feel like I can say some on this! :laughing: It took me over 40 days and 40 nights to put it together!! I was notified of my win on June 25th and finally got the last piece put together just last week! :cheers:

Basically trip wins fall into several general categories:


  • [li] 1. Multiple Sponsors: This is like mine was: Airline, hotel, tour, restaurant, Etc.[/li]
    [li] 2. Single Sponsor: Hotel OR Airline OR Tour OR Restaurant.[/li]
    [li] 3. Travel Agency Sponsor: Complete Package set by an Agency[/li]
    [li] 4. Resort Sponsor: Complete Package set by a specific Resort[/li]

Now to the crux of the matter: extentions. First off, always read the rules...because that is where you will ALWAYS find the exclusions, restrictions, and other 'goofy-stuff-to-screw-up-your-plans' junk you will NEVER find on the entry page! Black-out dates are the favorite. They can sometimes be extremely restrictive, even to the point of where travel extentions are not possible. :cry:

But, on to address the various types listed above:

1. The Multiple Sponsor: (Here I can speak with authority) Each sponsor is totally separate from the others. Of course, for any of the sponsors: as long as it in the date restrictions set forth in the rules. The airline (ie: qantas) doesn't care when you fly or how long you stay. The Hotel (ie: Coral Tree Inn) doesn't care how long or when you stay as long as you pay for extra days!. A tour (ie: Spirit of Freedom Dive Yacht) will, of course, be restricted to a certain time frame. But, after they dump you off on the beach they don't care whether you ever leave or not! In putting my trip together I was asked several times if I wanted to extend.

2. Single Sponsor: Basically the same as above, but it is all co-ordinated through one sponsor (ie: Mastercard). If it is the hotel...they are not going to complain if you stay longer! (But trust me...they will soak you for full rates!) And once again it really doesn't matter to the airline whether you stay 2 days or 2 months.

3. Travel Agencies: Most of the time this is a "time/place" dependant item they have purchased at a very reduced rate way prior to you winning. Most of the time there is NO wiggle room to be had, but every so often (as mentioned previously) they can make exceptions.

4. Resorts: Now this is a different "ball of wax" altogether! Since most of the time they are slotting you into "slack dates" and are often providers of the airfare via their own "contracted sources" (ie: 'Bahama Momma Island Fantasy Nude Beach Resort' - airfare from Miami only!) the likelihood of changing iternarary plans is VERY remote. "Move 'em in, Move 'em out, cowboy" is the motto there! (ie: Vegas).

Did any of that make any sense????

:cheers:

Loren :crazytongue:
Click to expand...

And since there are no defined dates of when you have to take the trip {at least not in the listing, and the rules are gone} it may take quite a while - hang in there! :sunny:
 
Amy Shulkusky said:
First off, CONGRATS ruehlbabe925!!! :headbang: :cheers: :headbang: :cheers: :headbang:

TropicalSmoothieCafe.Com - Most Creative Flip Flops Photo Contest
The trip includes accommodations for two for five nights at the Marenas Beach Resort & Spa, resort fees and complimentary parking, as well as an $800 travel voucher, which can be used towards airfare. Hotel accommodations are valid for one year based upon availability and subject to blackout dates. The photos will be judged by kids from Camp Sunshine.
Restrictions : 18+ US | Hits : 100 | Added : 06-12-12 | Expired : 06-24-2012 | Rules

Entry Category : Facebook


It looks like you skipped the usual track of entering for weeks/months/years before winning, then you went straight to winning a biggie, so you don't know the ropes yet - no worries, we have many experienced sweepers, like ruehlbabe925 & pmeek who do know the ropes, and who are willing and able to answer your questions! :sunny:

Not to mention, SA has multiple threads re: Trip wins, such as:

Trip wins
http://www.sweepstakesplus.com/smf/empty-t17786.0.html

Has anyone been able to extend a winning trip?
http://www.sweepstakesplus.com/smf/empty-t29216.0.html

ARV and your taxes {TY to LIDARKSIDE}
http://www.sweepstakesplus.com/smf/arv-and-your-taxes-ty-to-lidarkside-t50686.0.html

If you have the time, reading through those threads will give you answers to questions you might not of thought of yet, and you don't have to wait for someone to respond! :laughing:
Click to expand...

thank you so much! yes, i do feel very blessed to have won such a big prize so quickly. i know the big wins do take longer
normally. i'd been sweeping here and there on and off a few years ago, but i'd given up when i didn't win anything anymore(big mistake).
then i started doing it again recently for about 2 months, and i've been fortunate with little wins but this is my biggest win to date,
and i'm over the heels eccstatic!
:cheers: the threads i've been looking for! *cues sunlight descending from the heavens music*
i'll be browsing these later on tonight. :whistle:
 
wow....i never thought sweeping was this complex :popcorn:
i just thought that they already had everything planned out? lol
:whistle:
so much to learn and more to come!!!
 
ruehlbabe925 said:
wow....i never thought sweeping was this complex :popcorn:
i just thought that they already had everything planned out? lol
:whistle:
so much to learn and more to come!!!
Click to expand...

The learning curve for me was very steep, partly because I didn't visit the forums for the first 6 months & partly because I was at another site where people didn't like to share, so I'd glean info when & where I could. :whistle:

It's why, when I came to SA, I created threads like:

NOT WINNING ANYTHING? Tips on WHY:
http://www.sweepstakesplus.com/smf/not-winning-anything-tips-on-why-t63762.0.html

In an attempt to shorten the curve for new sweepers.

Pick any forum, and check out the stickied threads in it - there's a wealth of knowledge in those threads from SA'ers who started sweeping decades ago!

I think people are so used to the Federal government regulating everything we do, they don't realize while there are broad regulations, each State has their own - like no alcohol sweeps in California, and no tobacco sweeps for Michigan! :crazytongue:

If you make it a habit to double check the rules before you enter, you won't have to worry about winning a prize you can't get, because they are 5 States over, and the fine print says you have to pick it up!
 
:headbang:
SUCH good info. to know in the future. i'm going to get more organized and use this win as a tool to help motivate me further.
again i appreciate the help. people these days usually so hesitant to share anything....
 
Yours is a little different that most that we hear about or get for ourselves in that most will say that you are the potential winner (meaning that they don't declare you the winner until they have received an affadavit confirming that all the information you used to enter the sweeps was accurate and meet the rules of the sweeps) I have a trip win from May that I was confirmed as the winner but still waiting on the information. Another trip that I won took almost 4 months to get all the trip details. Luckily I have learned to be very patient, my husband on the otherhand is just the opposite and expects my prizes to come shooting out the computer screen at me! :laughing: In the many years that I have been sweeping there has only been 1 prize that I didn't receive and it was a very small prize. You have a great trip to look forward to!
 
:cussing: AN UPDATE!
While I'm very grateful that I won my prize in the first place, I still have not recieved anything at all from Tropical Smoothie nor the resort Sponsor since my original post. I did however recieve an email back stating:



Thanks for checking in! If you want to give me a call anytime you are more than welcome – I apologize I didn’t get this information to you yesterday. We have to go through several channels of communication to get information from the resort, so that’s what I have been waiting on. I am still trying to track down the exact name of the contact you’ll need to claim your trip. Please rest assured that getting you this information is top priority for me this week, but that dealing with an intermediary (our PR contact) means that it can take a little longer to get this information in hand.

We also will be sending you your $800 travel voucher. We had planned to send this as a cashier’s check that would be overnighted to you with a tracking code to make sure it reaches you. Please let me know if that won’t work for whatever reasons and we can get you a prepaid VISA or other form of payment. Since you are in the Florida area, it looks like you may be able to get some goodies for the trip if you can get there for under $800! J
I apologize again for the delay on the information, but coordinating this with our contacts does take a bit of time on our end. Please stay in touch and, as I said, feel free to check in with me on any questions you have. I should have some information for you by tomorrow or Friday at the latest, though of course I’m hoping it will be much sooner.

Thanks so much!
[/color]


Ok, that response SOUNDED great, but I still never got any further with them. Tropical Smoothie never sent my travel voucher nor did the other sponsor contact, send, or explain to me me any information regarding my trip that I'd won.
As much as I'd love to be patient with them, I've grown weary trying to get some answers resolved for the past month.
I've been extremely patient with them and respectful whenever I call to inquire some more information about the prize and or even the prize itself and they keep garnering excuse after excuse. They told me that they were "busy earlier in the month from the fourth of July, and then they also told me that the sponsor was away on vacation for two weeks." These excuses were fine, because I understand things take time and they are running a company and going through a sponsor after all. So I decided to give them a while and stop contacting them so I wouldn't overwhelm them with my concerns. Well two weeks went by and there was no news up updates from them. So I gave them a call yesterday and from what they told me it seems like they hadn't even been working on doing anything. :cussing:
They said they'd contact the sponsor because they still hadn't heard anything and would either let me know later or today around lunch what the verdict was. Well I'm sitting here with no phone call or email as of yet.
I'd like some advice because it seems to me like the only way to get results from them is to keep following up with them every week, which makes me very upset because that is not my job. :nono:
I'm very confused, and would really like some advice from someone about what to do from here on out please!
Thanks!!!
 
ruehlbabe925 - Every win requires some effort on our part {respond to an email, send in a notarized affy, etc.}and it sounds like yes, you will have to be proactive and try to anticipate and head off problems if you can. I'd plan on them not being prepared every step of the way if I were you.

I've never won a trip, but I have learned "If you want something done right, do it yourself" so make a plan, read everything you can on where you are going/how you are getting there/where you will stay, and hopefully someone who HAS won trips will respond with some advice.

3 weeks seems like forever, but if this is the first time for the sponsor, there will be kinks. Hang in there and try not to NEED the vacation to escape the stress!!! :love:
 
:sunny: There are some sponsors that are really good at geetting the trip wins together and information sent out. Others, not so good. I was selected as a winner in the Orbitz 50 faves. Received my notification back in May sent everything back and was confirmed within a dayWhen . Just today I finally received a trip packet. As i'm reading the information inside they say my trip includes 5 nights at the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino with breakfast included daily. This is also what was advertised as the prize. When I open up the enclosed envelop with the resort information, it is a certificate for the Marriott Aruba with 1 dinner certificate. I emailed them again today to try to get it cleared up so I can start making plans. The typed letter says I have until May 31, 2013 to book my travel, but the resort certificate that was sent expires on Dec. 20th. So now I will be waiting some more. And this was won thru a travel site.
When I won a trip to Disney World thru Hanes, everything went as smooth as can be. I sent back the paperwork with the dates I wanted to go and received my trip packet shortly after with no problems and everything taken care of. I didn't have to do anything except pack my suitcase and go. All trips wins should go this well.
Some of my other trips just had a few simple problems and not alot of waiting involved. You really have to learn to be patient but also communicate with them when things aren't going as they have communicated to you.
Best of luck to you! Don't give up, it will happen.
 
Thanks for the reply!
Yea, with them I feel its best that I plan things out ahead of time so I wont be blindsited by any errors that may come along the road.
These past weeks of waiting have taught me that lol.
I'm going to read the threads about trip wins/non recieved prizes again to see if theres any advice I can use from there as well.
:love: Trying to stay positive here for the most part! :)

Amy Shulkusky said:
ruehlbabe925 - Every win requires some effort on our part {respond to an email, send in a notarized affy, etc.}and it sounds like yes, you will have to be proactive and try to anticipate and head off problems if you can. I'd plan on them not being prepared every step of the way if I were you.

I've never won a trip, but I have learned "If you want something done right, do it yourself" so make a plan, read everything you can on where you are going/how you are getting there/where you will stay, and hopefully someone who HAS won trips will respond with some advice.

3 weeks seems like forever, but if this is the first time for the sponsor, there will be kinks. Hang in there and try not to NEED the vacation to escape the stress!!! :love:
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