Victoria's Secret Contest

[Rapier Half-Wit]

That's just fantastic! Glad to hear that she's won.

[Marietta Graziella]

Congratulations Casey!  The most beautiful, honest, and deserving has prevailed!

HUZZAH!

[Charlotte Rowan]

Yayyy! This is truly great news. I'm glad to hear that someone so deserving won this contest, and that the cheaters and poopies were discovered.

[Rani Zemirah]

It's not often in this world that the one who deserves something actually gets it, so it's wonderful to see this result!  I hope they build an incredible ad campaign around Casey, and that she benefits enormously from it...  

[NoBill Lurker]

So glad to hear that Casey has won!

[Noble Dreg]

Been out of town on business for a week, couldn't vote...

But I come back and see she won!  Heck, she wins in my book regaurdless of this contest!

Huzzah!

[Marietta Graziella]

Is there any update on this?  I know she won the contest but what, exactly, has she "won"?

[dbaldock]

Is there any update on this?  I know she won the contest but what, exactly, has she "won"?

There's a small description in the first post of this thread:

"The prize for this contest is a three-day all-expenses-paid trip to NYC, including a full spa day and other pampering prizes that she could really use after all of this awful trauma."


Take Care,
David Baldock

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

According to wildthingjew, she went on Casey's live journal page, and the VS people decided that because of the vote tampering, they decided instead to pull 2 random winners (like out of a hat) instead of giving the trip to Casey, who had the most popular votes.  They gave her a gift card.

I think that is horrible.  I sent VS an email asking if this were true.  I think if it is, everyone, and everyone you know, should bombard VS with emails that this is completely wrong.  She won fair and square.

[wildthingjew]

HERE IS CASEY'S OWN INPUT ON FACEBOOK:

Casey Pings:

For anyone who hasn't heard yet, I didn't win the VS contest. Because despite the fact that I won popular vote, they decided to give two judge's choice awards. They're giving me a $500 gift card, probably in the hopes that I won&#...039;t raise a shine storm. I won't. I'm fumbling exhausted. The idea of going to the media and getting even more attention does not appeal to me. I've been called Cancer belch enough already.

HERE IS A COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN BY ONE OF HER VOTERS:
I am so very unhappy to learn that, after verifying the popular votes in the Body by Victoria contest, you ultimately decided to disregard those results and instead award your grand prizes to two judges' choices.

It was those of us who support Casey Pings who informed you, not only of the spamming that others were doing to get their contestants votes, but also that they were spamming Casey in an effort to get her disqualified. Until the spamming incidents, Casey's daily vote counts grew steadily and naturally, and at no point - not even when other contestants were using bots to generate votes for themselves! - did Casey fall out of the top ten.

Her votes were legitimately cast and she won this contest fairly. And she is now being told that, even though she followed all the rules, you have changed those rules and opted NOT to give her the prize she should have won. You have permitted cheaters and liars to influence your decision, and punished a young woman who acted with honesty and integrity throughout.

I will not do business with Victoria's Secret again. I realize that the loss of my business probably means nothing to you, as you have plenty of other customers, but I will be satisfied knowing that in so Victoria's Secret will never again be able to use a penny of my money to mismanage its business.

ANOTHER:
"I think that what you did to Casey Pings was absolutely abhorrent. You should have stated the ways you were going to be "randomly" selecting winners in the first place, before this contest started. I understand that you caught wind of "fraudulent behavior" and it was friends of CASEY that made this known to you in the first... Read More. ... Read MoreShe won that contest fair and square and what you have done by your "show of fairness" in giving her a $500 gift card is a joke. I will never shop at your store again, and I will be sure to tell my friends and family that your store is an ethical mess and that they should not shop there either. When you read the words "Social Responsibility" and "Ethics" in the future, remember this contest...and when your sales in the Midwest take a deep plunge you have only yourselves to thank for it."

MY LETTER WAS NOT SO NICE BUT I FORGOT TO COPY IT BEFORE I HIT SEND.

CASEY'S REPLY WHEN ONE OF HER FRIENDS CONNECTED WITH THE MEDIA MENTIONED MEDIA:
Casey Pings
Honestly, I considered it just for the fact that I think VS deserves a shiner bock storm right now, but I really have no desire at all to have any more attention on me after all of the bovine poopie with the forums. I can only imagine how much worse and more widespread it would be if I had the attention of the press. Plus, I really don't want to be turned into a huge pity story.

[wildthingjew]

JUST GOT RESPONSE FROM VS INCLUDING A COPY OF THE LETTER I SENT TO THEM ORIGINALLY

Dear Jamie,

Thank you for your e-mail regarding the Love Your Body by Victoria contest. We appreciate your taking the time to share your concerns.

We assure you that your specific comments have been forwarded to the proper department. We appreciate your comments and take them seriously.

If we can assist you further, please reply to this e-mail or call anytime.

Jamie, Victoria's Secret values you as a customer and it is our hope that you will grant us the opportunity to serve you again. Thank you for contacting Victoria's Secret.


Sincerely,


Kimberly C.
VictoriasSecret.com Customer Service

Visit www.VictoriasSecret.com
Phone 1.800.475.1935 or (outside the U.S. and Canada) 1.937.438.4197
Fax 1.937.438.4290


--Original Message--
From: wildthingjew@yahoo.com
Date: 10/1/2009 9:32:53 PM
To: CustomerCare@VictoriasSecret.com
Subject: Comments and Suggestions

From:  "jamie e grado" <wildthingjew@yahoo.com>

To: service@victoriassecret.com

Subject: Comments and Suggestions

O#

Comments:



i am totally disgusted by the way you handled the contest you provided, voters alerted you to the scam goin on with the votes and you punish the person that those people were voting for, trust me already everyone that has voted for the clear winner casey has been alerted to boycot your stores and website and are in the process of putting out the word to all that we alerted to the contest in the first place, your conduct aches my heart! thank you for your time and consideration

[raevyncait]

I've not had a response yet, but FYI, they are owned by Limited Brands, who also owns Bath & Body Works and La Senza (looks like a Canadian version of Victoria's Secret).
I've also posted my opinion on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace is next...

[RenRobin]

I wonder how the LiveStrong campaign at the Lance Armstrong foundation would think about this.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I received the exact same email as wildthingjew - word for word.  I think this is outrageous.  How horrible they are.

[Marietta Graziella]

Here is a copy of the letter I sent.  I don't know Casey but this whole thing is just wrong.

Dear contest judges,

    I am writing to express my extreme displeasure at your handling of the "Love Your Body by Victoria contest".

    I believe your actions in choosing "Judges Choice" winners and the pathetic attempt to conciliate by offering Casey Pings an insulting $500 gift card are unconscionable.
    I do not know Casey Pings.  I have no affiliation with her whatsoever so I believe I speak honestly and without biased. 
    Casey Pings is not a Victoria Secret pin up girl.  She doesn't have long thick hair, big breasts, or the right body.  You wouldn't have her as a model in your future campaigns and THAT is why you changed the rules.  This contest wasn't looking for someone who truly and honestly loves their body.  This contest was looking for a vapid beauty queen that you could parade around in public.   
    Casey was not like the other contestants in that she faces physical and emotional challenges every day.  She had the courage to show herself to the world by joining this contest, risking ridicule, accusation, and rejection.  She put herself out to the public, hoping they'd see the truth and beauty of her on the inside as she sees herself; and they did!  The people voted for her.  They supported her!  But you crushed an opportunity for people to embrace themselves no matter what size, shape, or condition their body might be in.  You proved to her, and to those who voted for her, that it's more important to be beautiful on the outside, than the inside.  Instead of generating more business for your company by embracing all body types you have only reinforced your own stereotypical and pigeon-holed idea of beauty.
    I will be certain to post this letter and any letter of response from you, provided it is not a canned "we're sorry, we hope to earn you business back" nonsense computer generated response, on my internet connections.
    Let me reiterate that this is not about getting Casey Pings a bigger prize.  After what you have put this poor woman through you'd be lucky if she returned your calls.  This is about women.  Women loving themselves, their bodies, and all their flaws.  Women believing they don't have to be a Victoria Secret Super Model to be beautiful.  In this matter I believe you have failed all women.   I also believe I'll be taking my business and my money elsewhere since I don't quite meet up to your ideas of beauty, either.  And you know what, neither do my friends.


Written most sincerely,


Dena SXXXXXXX
MN