… or why I probably won’t make BlogHer this year.
I wrote a long, creative piece to tell this story, but sometimes I think it is best to just write things in a boring, just-the-facts manner. So, here it goes:
A year ago, Sophia read about this Father’s Day promotion online:
“Buy $125 dollars worth of Dockers pants from JCPenney and receive a “free round-trip ticket within the U.S.”
So, off we went to JCPenney, where I spent two hour trying on different Dockers pants, each time parading in front of Sophia like a male runway model, waiting for her sign of approval. Did it fit in the back? Was it the right color? Finally, we made our choices, mailed in our reciepts, and received the official brochure in the mail.
From the brochure sent to me by
TLC Marketing
c/o Dockers/JCPenney
1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
“This complimentary round-trip airfare allows you to visit one of these ten exciting cities: Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, Orlando, or Dallas. Name your destination; we just named your price: FREE.”
The promotion had some odd stipulations. You had to choose –
“Different first, second, and third choice destinations.”
“Different first, second, and third choice date preferences for both outbound and return travel.”
“That’s weird,” I thought. “This free ticket is not very useful if you really need to get somewhere important, like for business. It’s a bit of a crap shoot.”
I decided to try to use it to go to BlogHer in San Francisco this year. I joked with some of you that I might end up in Chicago or Dallas during BlogHer, but I was fairly confident that I would get tickets to San Francisco. After all, there are dozens of flights from the New York area to San Francisco/Oakland. Surely, there was room in one of them during the days I gave them, even if I had to do a stop-over.
The brochure gave further instructions:
“A Representative from TLC Marketing will contact you within 14 days of receipt to book and confirm travel itinerary.”
A few weeks ago, I received two automated voice messages. One said that my completed form was in order and to expect a call. The next offered me other options besides the free ticket. I could receive a $125 rebate or $150 in “restaurant coupons.” It was a bad deal. Coupons to what — Olive Garden? I took the flight. Still, a red light went on in my head. It was sneaky of them, because in the brochure they clearly write:
“TLC Marketing may substitute another reward of equal or greater value if promotional availability runs out.”
Free ticket to SF does not equal Olive Garden coupons.
Time passed. It was now two weeks before BlogHer. I called the TLC Marketing “Dockers Concierge” number to find out what was going on. A few months ago, I had spoken to a woman in India at this number who helped me correctly fill out my form. Now, there was no one to talk to. All that was left was a message that participants would get a call by “July 3rd.” It is now July 9th. I already missed BlogHer registraion.
I was as if the promotion has been taken off of TLC Marketing’s agenda.
I googled this promotion online and quickly found out why. This promotion was an ongoing PR mess for TLC Marketing. There were already 500 complaints issued with the Better Business Bureau of Massachusetts against TLC Marketing and their company president, Walter Osterman.
There were problems from the get-go, even from those customers who received their flights. Their free flights ended up costing them $90 in taxes and and processing fees, which might be considered legitimate if the airlines themselves didn’t charge $50 in taxes and fees. Why were customers being charged this extra money?
Now, customers couldn’t get flights. Was the promotion defunct? Why would Dockers offer a promotion that they can’t fulfill? To get customers to buy $125 dollars of Dockers pants at a time?
And who needs so many Dockers anyway?
I sent emails to Dockers (owned by the Levi Strauss co. of San Francisco) and JCPenney, but received useless automated responses. I phoned them and received more run-arounds. The customer service woman at Dockers said she would ‘present my information to upper management.” The woman at JCPenney gave me some phone number in Florida to call.
“Who is this that I am calling?
“It is the number that can help you with this promotion?”
“And who is it?
“Just call them?
“Do they have a name? Is this someone at JC Penney.’
“I can JUST give you this number.”
I called the number and no one answered.
Both JC Penney and Docker seemed to point the finger at TLC Marketing I’ve seen this before – a corporation not taking responsibility because they chose to deal with a incompetent company.
The moral of this story is the same as the one about my cheap, useless, not-Vista compatible web-cam from a few days ago.
You get what you pay for.
So, unless someone at Dockers or JCPenney reads this and is embarrassed by this post, I won’t be at BlogHer, even if I was mostly going just to flirt with girls at the parties.
I take responsibility for my dumb mistakes — of being cheap and trying to use a free ticket. I wish some companies would take responsibility for their own stupid mistakes, like offering promotions with tons of restrictions, and then not keeping their part of the bargain.
If I don’t make it to BlogHer, I blame myself AND –
DOCKERS (R. John Anderson, CEO Levi Strauss)
JCPENNEY (Myron E. (Mike) Ullman III CEO)
TLC MARKETING (Walter Osterman, President)
Hey, Consumerist — here are some links of others who are pissed at TLC Marketing, Dockers, and JCPenney.
Just one more reason I’ll never buy Dockers, or shop at JCPenny’s, or call that number.
That sucks! And you are right, no one needs that many Dockers.
I’m gonna miss you at BlogHer. Who will pinch my toosh?
I wish you’d told me about that… I could have told you it was bogus.
I used to work for a company that did similiar promotions. We actually gave you the tickets, but you had to book the hotel through us.
Free ticket PLUS possibility of getting laid in SF…..seems a little too much like a wet dream to me.
An educated guy like you should have known better!!!!
BOOO! I just say BOO!
PS… I keep several cloth bags in both cars to shop..and STILL forget them..
and, sadly, I so shop ALMOST everyday….
Yay you for standing up about this.
I hope this post sees some results and that you will get to flirt with your bevy of beauties at BlogHer after all.
I dunno, Neil. SF isn’t that far from LA. You could drive. You could see if you can get in on a carpool. You could just go ahead and pay for a flight (tax deduction if you view your blog at all as a biz expense). You’ve already bought your registration and have a hotel res. The ex-therapy patient in me is thinking maybe you’re afraid to meet all those BlogHer women to flirt with and this is an excuse NOT to go.
Dude! You’re running Vista?!
That sucks that you’re not going to be at Blogher but I won’t be there either so you really won’t be missing that much.
I see stuff like that and think, “It sounds too good to be true.”
Your presence will be missed in SF.
At least you got some Dockers!
How are those Dockers holding up? That sucks, truly. Myron and RJ ought to get together an buy you the ticket. I bet they can afford it.
At least you got pants man.
These promos are supposed to be difficult to redeem. The point of these offers is to have fewer redemption of the offer than products sold. While this one seems especially difficult it’s not unusual for airline related promos to be restrictive.
The restrictions I can live with. I followed everything by the book. They haven’t followed their own rules. I didn’t get called two weeks prior to the flight. I can’t get through to anyone. Why should I have to go through a million loopholes — or risk losing my free ticket — when they can change the rules whenever they want?
Donna — I’m afraid I screwed up all around. I never got registered or got hotels cause I was waiting for the phone call which never came… and I can’t seem to contact them and get any answers.
Since I work in advertising law, you probably have a real lawsuit here, should you wish to pursue it. Probably a class-action suit, too, from the sounds of it. If you are really interested in pursuing it, I recommend registering a complaint with the DOT and FTC. Charging undisclosed fees on air travel is quite simply against DOT regulation, for one. False and misleading advertising goes against FTC regulations. Reading stories like this pisses me off, particularly when there are folks like me who spend hours upon hours making sure actual and legitimate promotions are run according to code. Sorry you’re going to miss BlogHer, but at the very least they should give you the money for the flight.
I hope that someone from each of those sites routinely googles themselves and sees your rant. They should be made to honor the offer and pay for the airline fees as well!
Neil, if things change and you get a flight call me. You can stay with me in North Beach which is super close to downtown. The air mattress is awesome and Dr. B won’t mind if you have sex in our living room.
I say you come to Boston and picket their offices.
Boo. I hope you find a way to come.
If I don’t make it, I have one request. That someone bring a pair of men’s Dockers pants to one of the wild parties, and later that night, someone take the pants back to her hotel room with her.
Or a group of bra-less woman burning a pair of dockers in effigy in front of the Levi Strauss Co. HQ in SF.
HARUMPH!!!!!
a lot of phone calls and aggravations for some lousy fitting pants. sorry.
Melanie — Actually, one of the khaki Dockers makes my ass look pretty good. I’ll give them that.
I’ve been boycotting JC Penney for years, but now I’ll never buy Dockers again! Of course I never have bought Dockers, but they’ll never get my business now for sure!
I also find it annoying that they are JCPenney and not JC Penney.
But what are you going to do with all those unnecessary pants?
On the plus side, now you can focus all your attention on this year’s BlogHim.
I bet you end up with 2 free trips soon.
“The moral of this story is [...] you get what you pay for.”
Right. In this case, you paid $125. I’d be furious.
But Neil, I was even gonna shave my legs for you!
Damn! That sucks so much it’s positively succulent.
But I’ll bet you’ll hear from JCPenney or Dockers or somebody. I heard from Stonyfield Farms the day after I blogged that eating their YoKids yogurt left me with my head in the toilet. They were all ready to send me a ton of coupons. Yet for some reason, I’ve lost my appetite for their fine cultured milk products (Now! With Live Cultures!)
Still, I wouldn’t turn down a free plane ticket. Here’s hoping SOMEBODY grows some integrity and hands one over.
Whoops! Sorry about all the bold. I’m not really that emphatic.
Well, if you can hitch a ride to Vegas…
BlogWhore ’08 is still on!
You won’t need to buy any pants. Men and women are welcomed equally. And there will be at least 2 hot girls there for you to flirt with.
i think there is one word that these big companies listen to, it’s boycott. hope somebody is reading.
I purchased the same dockers air fare promotion. I have followed all requirements and yes there are only pre-recorded messages. Ironically there is never a manager available from the Kohl’s same type of promotion and they stated the manager cannot take calls. The direct number for TLC is only voice mail. Caution – TLC MArketing in Boston MA – is it a real company or only misleading the consumers! Very disappointing for 2 large companies to be associated with and not stand behind in any way.
Brenda – KC
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Worse news. I just remember that we bought $250 worth of pants. Sophia got a ticket too. I have Dockers for the rest of my life.
As someone who works at a reputable and global ad agency, it angers me when anyone gets taken like this. I agree with Caitlinator and feel you should take some serious action. It is up to the agencies and clients involved to ensure that the customer is always treated with respect. If I found out someone on my team did something like this intentionally, I would fire them and anyone involved as well as potentially dropping the client… Something that we have actually done when we feel the client isn’t acting in the best interest of their consumers.
Can you return the Dockers, at least? Did you keep the receipt? I mean, if they don’t come through and honour their promises.
I got duped, too, by this scandal! At least Visa credited my account–I had been promised an e-confirmation for my flight, which of course never arrived despite MY conversations with Menual as well. Also filed a report with Boston’s Better Business Bureau. I guess if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!
I think the scariest thing about this is the ability of Dockers and JC Penneys to not do anything about this issue and not have any real Public Relations and financial problems due to lack of assistance. Also TLC Marketing will not have any legal or financial liabilities also. People can complain on Internet message boards until they are blue in the face but nothing bad will happen.
I have been reading a variety of message boards and blogs talking about the Dockers Free Flight issue and most people no matter how many letters they write, phone calls they make or complaints to the better business bureau they make, nothing will happen. The average person just seems so helpless now days unless they have deep pockets for an Attorney!
If anyone wants to try talking to the President of TLC (Mr. Walter Osterman), this is his direct dial number: 617 788-9696. His email is wosterman@tlcwm.com
I am sure he would love to talk to the customers of the DOCKERS FREE FLIGHT PROMOTION
What a disappointment!! I mailed in completed form and was left a message that I would be receiving a phone call to confirm booking and to date there has been no response. This was going to be my Kid’s summer vacation……..this is unfair and definitely not right……maybe not legal either…
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I, too, got caught up in this “deal”, but have not yet given up. I just filed a complaint with the BBB and suggested them to send us the cash instead of the ticket.
I wish both of us good luck in getting something back.
I finally got what is basically a form letter rejecting my request and stating that the promotion is over yesterday with no phone number to contact.
So I went to the internet and have found a multitude of complaints. Now I’m trying to find the proper ways to register my complaint for both the flight and the sister promotion for 2 nights in a hotel.
I will boycott all parties involved and tell others to do the same until this issue is resolved.
I got my call today, and I am going to have to say that I will just take the money and get out with some sort of dignity, I just can’t see waiting for a flight that will never come! my hubby also bought the dockers and so we have about 250.00 coming back to us!
This was such a scam, and I am sorry to say that both my husband and myself fell into it.
“the President of TLC (Mr. Walter
Osterman), this is his direct dial number: 617 788-9696. His email is
wosterman@tlcwm.com“
If someone is looking for a legal action, we would be part of it. It is very upsetting and frustrating. Thanks for Mr. Osterman’s direct number.
A number of approaches may work:
If anyone wants to try talking to the President of TLC (Mr. Walter Osterman), this is his direct dial number: 617 788-9696. His email is wosterman@tlcwm.com He is the President of the company who is running this program.
I understand that others have got an attorney to write a letter to TLC and that got a phone call pretty fast.
Other people who can get to Boston have sued via small claims court.
I myself wrote JC Penney and Dockers a letter and eventually got a call from someone from Dockers who called TLC on my behalf. I eventually got a call from Lindsey at JC Penney Fulfillment Center Phone 866 578-7517 ext 62304 email: tlc@bcdtravel.com
Give this a try
Four people from my office responded to this promotion. All comments made previously are right on track with our experiences. However, one of my co-workers DID finally get a “free” flight that cost her $90, after her first request being for February 2008. Well, she got a “free” flight for February 2009 from Dallas to Las Vegas, BUT, they routed her through ATLANTA! Does this make sense? The dumb travel agent she spoke with couldn’t believe there was a problem since she only had a layover of one hour in Atlanta. Has she ever had a geography lesson? Does she have a map? (Yes, they had her flying 2 hours to the east coast to Atlanta, change planes, then 4 hours west to Las Vegas. Yes, these are really bright people we are dealing with!
Does anyone know anything about the “dining certificates”? How stupid of them to not even mention “where” the certificates can be used. Probably only for Boston restaurants! I, too, have had it with this company. They have ruined 2 potential trips I was going to have this summer.
I will talk to an attorney and check on a class action against the three parties. We had two vouchers and have had the same expirience as the rest of you– run around and no action.