Cee Jay:
This is the Chic Magazine Snap-A-Taxi contest where some of us staked out to capture pics of cabs while others chased and snapped them when we chanced upon the cabs.
We have submitted about 150 entries and there are about 100+ more to go. Because the contest is ending on the 15th July 2010, it's time to finish sending all the entries over.
But while Dallas tried to do so for the past week, he is unable to. Dallas emailed Chic Magazine on the 3rd July (Saturday) and there was no reply. He chased again on the 7th July (Wednesday) before he finally received a reply and it is without a sign off. Here's the reply.
"Hi Dallas,
Just FYI. Not supposed to tell you this but maybe you'd like to consider not sending in those entries to save money as just found out there's a female contestant with all 300 taxis verified already weeks ago."
Please click on this link to read the full communications.
We lost, it seems.
Do you believe?
I'm just wondering. When the contests first started, Chic Magazine put out a lot of feeds to encourage people to join. They even give tips on how to win. There were also updates on who were leading and with how many photos snapped. So why were there no updates subsequently? It's not like as if there were no competition. There's that lady with 300 entries right? (Though I seriously thought nobody could be bothered to join except us). So if there are other people participating, why didn't they update? I sense dishonesty here but I have no proof.
I wonder who is this female contestant who submitted 300 taxis? A Singaporean? A Philippine national? A Malaysian?
Will they reveal the name of the winner, show us photos of her receiving the $10k prize at Chic Magazine's party and upload the 300 pics on their Facebook page to prove that it's all transparent? I'll be waiting to see...
The female contestant has apparently submitted 300 photos. We have gathered a total of 260.
Like hiccup, I do find it impossible that anybody can snap 300 pics if they didn't start snapping when the contests first started. His comments can be found here at the comments section.
But for a company that,
1. wanted to give away a car in one of their first few contests but it didn't happen
2. set a closing date but due to "overwhelming" feedback" decided to extend for another 4 months to give everyone more time to win (Again, where are the overwhelming entries? How come no updates? Shouldn't they be finding every opportunity to put out feeds to show off how popular the contest is?)
3. is aware of unqualified contestants sending unpleasant notes, contestants resorting to cheating, to those turning up in their office to make a scene but still continues to hold voting contests
4. deletes undesirable comments on their FB page
5. has a track record of starting a magazine call Smitten but folded in 2 years.
6. seems fixated only in quantity rather than quality of fan base and just keep pushing for highernumber of fans (Voting contests are best for this and here's a feed they put out earlier today)
Chic Magazine: Help make our 1st birthday wish come true! You were there when we became the #1 publication (newspapers, magazines, etc) on Facebook, now help us become the TOP media page in Singapore before our birthday on 17 Jul! We need as many people as possible to like our fb page so please tell all your friends about us! :)
Honestly, would you be surprise that we didn't win?
If you are joining any more contests from Chic Magazine or dealing with them in any other matters, just beware, be careful and take precautions if you want to deal with this kind of company.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dallas:
Well, clearly they aren't going to give us the prize. It's not that we didn't win this contest that I'm angry and upset about. It is all the time and effort wasted, trying to make this a success. Other than apologies, I don't know what I can offer.
On my side, I've spent many weekends to sort, edit and send the photos. Time and money wasted. I don't mind the money, it's not a big sum anyway, but it's the time lost that cannot be recovered.
I hope our readers can take a stand and do something about Chic. For me, they will simply delete my wall post and ignore my emails. We need evidence. 300 photos right on their facebook page, and NONE of it should be our photos.
(If you're trying to view the full list of taxis, please refer to my link here. I'm not going to waste any more time editing a list that doesn't do anything.)
44 Comments:
i can 100% say that this contest is fake. its a scam. yes, show us all the 300 taxis on the facebook. i think Chic is trying to give out the prizes. farking asshole cheapo company.
If it's a scam, and considering the magazine fan base is so wide, shld we educate the public either through police report, stomp, channel 8 show Frontline?
I agree. Have to ask Chic to show winner's photo & photo of her claiming the prize.....
Interestingly enough, I work directly opposite their office building. lol
The moral of the story: sometimes things are too good to be true!
Oh well, don't have to apologize. I'm sure everyone is appreciative of your time in effort in collating all photos and helping us to send. We only just took photos =)
Is the magazine any good? Never read it myself but seems like it's worth spreading the news to boycotting it already haha
@fan: Yes, definitely going to STOMP them if they cant show evidence.
@Playa: You work in a LAN shop?
@Yukai: Thanks. I'll put up a feature banner to discourge people from buying the magazine.
hi dallas ans cee jay, so sorry that I didnt manage to contribute any photo, just I came across your post today. Will support you guys! Fight for it!!:)
I detest those companies that came out with all sorts of promotional contest but didnt keep up to their words!
You guys should write to the Forum page in the Straits Times. Someone should teach Chic magazine a lesson. It is unethical to have a scam contest just to collect other people's info. Who knows what Chic mag will do with the database.
Hi, you should call up the new paper or wanbao :) to highlight this issue.
@anon8.17: I don't think this is that kind of contest where you just submit your name and can win $100k. That will be too good to be true.
The prize here is $10k (Attractive but not uncommon) and there's quite a bit of work involved... Look out for cabs, run after cabs, stake out, take pics, MMS in.
@anon4.43: Hey no apologies needed :) It wld be great if you had joined us to try for the prize but if you didn't, no worries!
@fan: Wide fan base? I'm not sure abt that :) They have 45k plus fans but that doesn't mean it is 45k real people and real accounts supporting their page. In fact, I wld give a very big discount on that considering they hold plenty of voting contests.
Scam contest or not? We shall see who's the winner first, if the prize is really awarded and also this lady's 300 pics.
And can someone help put up a post on Chic's FB page to ask if it's true that there's a female contestant who has submitted 300 taxis pics which has been verified please?
Their email reply didn't have anybody signing off. Who can we hold responsible to that statement if that's not true?
chic is known for their unprofessionalism when it comes to marketing.
Hi peeps. I've already anticipated this to happen a longgggg time ago even before they postponed the due date of the contest. Communicated with CJ and Dallas about their previous stupid voting contest which they didn't give out the prize in the end but FAKED it by saying that they did.
I am happy to know that others now realise how terrible and unprofessional this mag is.
Even if we request for a picture of the winner receiving the cash prize, it can't prove the authenticity of the winner. They can always ask one of their staff / friends to pose right? The best way is to see all 300 pics of the cabs.
Aren oh's suggestion to write in to the ST forum doesn't work. When my friend wrote in a complaint letter to Chic and threatened to write in to ST, Chic forwarded my friend's complaint email to the forum directly to show that they weren't "afraid" and didn't care. See what I mean by their attitude here?
CJ and Dallas, pls remove the Chic banner on the left of your website ASAP.... Everyone else, beware of this mag. We should really find a way to expose their scams to be fair to all the readers and participants!
Contest Junkie said...
Hi Peter,
The intention was there but we have now crossed way more than 50 entires.
Of course it will be great if we all can donate part of our windfall to charity on our own accord, IF we do win.
Yah spamming contests are really pointless. Contests can be an effective promotional tool for companies and enjoyable for participants if companies are willing to put in the effort to design something purposeful, like this Chic cab contest.
Chic is firmly in my head now. I think I am going to miss looking out for Chic backsides when the contest ends :)
Let's do this guys n gals - Spam the Chic Magazine Facebook every other minute with a link to this CJ post - Chic Magazine host scam contest -link-
n see how much they can delete...
@Anon9.40: The banner is linked to this post. I think a better way to warn people to join Chic's contest with open eyes, is to leave this thread there.
@Attack Chic: Well, your comment has been deleted. But instead of posting links to this post, I think we should be asking them a lot of questions instead. Ask for updates of contest status, ask for verification if the claim of the contestant with 300 entires is true, ask how they verify entries, ask if they will put up all 300 pics of the cabs sent in by the winner.
Let's hear what they have to say.
They can easily deemed the link to this post to be irrelvant and as such remove it. But if we ask relevant questions related to the contests and they delete or avoid our questions, then that would say something wouldn't it?
Looks like they hire people to monitor their fan page 24/7 just to delete any "undesired" posts... see this shows the number of hate messages they get per day? haha...
Attach Chic.. if you and your friends manage to spam them faster than their deletion, SALUTE to you guys.
Feel sorry for all who has wasted time snapping CHIC taxis.
So besides not publishing Chic's contests going forward, there should be efforts to pull down their "beauty facades" & teach them a lesson!
I am long aware of their gimmicks to increase fan base (like having meaningless voting contests). Shame on them!
I believe as a contest-based website, Contest Junkie blogspot definitely has the "voice" to pressure Chic to reveal the winner & the full 300 photos. I believe if we unite, we can show the world their ugly side! So what if their revenue exceeds $1 million? Poor PR would bring them down man!
CJ, Dallas & fellows, et's kick their ass!
Maybe the girl works at the place where they paste the sticker on the cabs so she caught all!!!
I honestly found it too good to be true for them to give away a $10k prize, hence I am not surprised by this hoo-ha now. I suggest you lodge a complaint with CASE. If you have a strong belief that this is a cheat, report to CPIB.
IT IS A CHEAT! we have to report this! Their contests are getting out of hand and it's really unfair to the participants!!! So what's the conclusion about what action we're gonna take?
Hi readers, some of you have volunteered to help fight back to CHIC! I'm glad someone can step forward to help us in this critical moment.
I have a plan in mind, and I will need help from you.
First! Post of CHIC's wall asking about the progress of the contest and stuff. Optional, you can say something is wrong with the MMS number, and you can't send in. Or say that you heard someone got all 300 photos and ask if it's true. (Please becareful when posting comments on their wall. If needed, use a fake account. Also, bear in mind not to post any links to anywhere. In any case, act blur.)
Next, after you are done posting, save a screenshot of your post on their page. If they reply, we can probe deeper and ask about the current standing or tell them to show the winning photos on facebook. If they didn't reply and delete your post, upload the screenshot as a fan photo and ask more questions.
I hope this will work and somebody will try it. If anybody does try this, please let me know by leaving a comment or email me at cornflict@hotmail.com and I can supply you with more information.
Ah, no I don't work at the LAN shop. CHIC gave some free copies of their CHIC Magazine to the neighboring offices and establishments. Think it's to promote marketing in a sense. The 'mag' is slightly larger than A4 size, and the quality of the paper n print is very low cost (cheap to be blunt :P). Read it once, but don't think I will buy it because the content just not so appealing or interesting compared to the likes of 8 Days, I-Weekly, CLEO, Seventeen etc etc etc.
Somebody posted something on chic's wall and they alleged that they won't reveal the winner due to the huge cash prize she's gonna win but that she will be at their party. Showing the person's face or name is the biggest publicity a company can get. Macdonalds also show their face all the time
Can't agree more with Anon above. $10k is really not alot, like that also scared rob? Who are you trying to kid, CHIC?
If that's the case, isn't Macdonalds worst? Show you where they stay on National TV somemore, easier to rob?
Full of lies and bullshit, CHIC.
Geeze u didnt win. someone else won. stop crying wolf and go join other contest ah.
Recently i noticed how certain individuals are bent on thinking everyone is cheating and stuff... I am not sure if she got the 300 pics or if its a scam but i am giving her and the mag the benefit prior to jumping the gun
Eh, you know what? Talk is cheap you know? Wait till you reach a situation like this, I first one to clap hand.
Go register as a blogger under contestjunkie and "cover" their event and expose the scam there!:
Chic Magazine Attention all bloggers: If you'd like to cover our party on Saturday for your blog, please register with us (mailus@chicreaders.com with your name, and blog url) for a press pass that will give you entry to virtually all areas in Supperclub - except the CHIC girls changing area of course! :)
Anti-anon : It is a sad situation n i would never wish it on anyone. However, I guess i rather not jump the gun n think we did better as there were so many of us. IT's just a different perspective on the matter.
Chic magazine put advertisement looking for marketing executive. It is also a scam. Pretty much do sales for them. A lot of people especially the youngs attended the interview but they choose a few. Basically you get paid 2500 if you hit target (selling advertising space for them - 5K a month). If you dont hit 5K, for example only 4.5K, you only get 10% of the total sales.
Salary 2.5K is not including your total bill for phone, internet, and transportation. The management arrange sales meeting once a week. Oh by the way, the company do not pay you a single cent on CPF and taxes. So you pay the government 35% (20% your CPF contribution and 15% the employer contribution) from your gross salary. Stupid!!!!
So basically you work very hard hitting the target to get 2,500 salary, but you end up receiving 1625SGD. Oh by the way this not including your phone, internet, transportation bills.
The company also compares the sales achievement one to another. So they make you compete each other. Because no allowance for the sales effort, majority of the staff do sales from the internet - looking at facebook to find small business. They are not likely to visit the shop due to high transportation cost and time savings.
Oh did I mention the company can fire you anytime without giving you notice? they also anyhow increase the sales target after your 3 months with the company. So good luck everybody! welcome to the chicreaders (chic magazine) world!
Wow! Have you worked in CHIC before? Let's hear more! =)
So Anon, until when do you think we should give the mag the benefit of the doubt?
And when do you think is a good time to start the race?
Or when do you think the gun will actually fire?
So how guys? Is that it? We can't do anything and the Shit mag wins?
Hi Anon 11:56, please drop us a private email. Do let us know who you are as well will ya?
Thanks!
Hi guys, any updates on how Shit Magazine is doing? I've been visiting their fanpage and they cannot post anything except to answer to wall posts by others, seems like they violated one of facebook's terms and conditions? maybe its our chance to start bombarding them with wall posts about this contest. what do you guys think?
I was looking through the photos of the chic party two months back where the recipient of the 10,000 prize money was supposed to be there, and guess what, NO PHOTO with someone presenting a 10,000 big cheque to the winner. Isn't it normal to expect a prize presentation for a prize of 10,000? Don't tell me the winner is at the party but was just quietly handed a cheque!
Ain't the magazine subjected to audit check? Cos when we contestants claim a prize from a contest, we will always have to get our nric photocopied and signed so that the company has proof that a prize was presented out to this person. Who is the auditor of this magazine? Do bogus contest organizers fall under the purview of CAD?
Anon 9:10pm, I'm for it! Let me know when you intend to start and I'll join in. I won't be surpised if they start deleting comments. So remember to screenshot it. If you think there are things that everybody should know about, send me the screenshots and I will put it up.
Anon 1:37, tell me about it. If they are spending $10,000 on a contest, I find it impossible that they are not taking every opportunity to milk publicity out of it. The only reason for such strange behaviour is.... You say leh?
Anon 1:42, I don't know under whose purview does bogus contest organizers fall under, but I think CAD, MDA, CASE, TNP, SPF and ASAS ought to know!
Anon 1:42, I don't know under whose purview does bogus contest organizers fall under, but I think CAD, MDA, CASE, TNP, SPF and ASAS ought to know!
To answer your questions, the CID is someone you can go to. All contests in Singapore have to go through an application with them. I work in the advertising industry so I am aware of this. You might want to try? :)
All contests in SG hv to go thru an application with CID? Really?
Do you know the link to the application form or the TnC governing the rules?
The only one that I am aware of is this one.
http://www.spf.gov.sg/licence/LuckyDrawDonation/others/Notifications_Lucky.pdf
But I honestly don't think a lot of small time companies and contests actually fill that in and submit.
I'm not the Anon on Oct 7 but I wk in the mktg industry too. The link you hv under SPF is correct, CJ. All lucky draws/donations above $10K shld be registered with SPF. The form also contains contact nos. to SPF's Lucky Draw Administrator for clarification. At least you guys can get SPF to have it verified as a last resort, if you want.
Direct No: 6435 8220
Fax No: 6220 7142
Main Line: 6435 0000
E-Mail: SPF_Lucky_Draw@spf.gov.sg
Thanks for your reply Anon.
But it seems that the Anon readers are more keen to see something done than the cab contestants themselves :(
Ah, sorry for the wrong info. My previous company referred to it as 'CID' thus I quoted the wrong department. But anyway, I'm itching to see justice being served... Please contestjunkie! Let them know that they can't scam people just like this!
I feel really indignant about this too but I'm too swamped with work to go after them.
But as they say... 君子报仇，十年不晚.
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