The Leeds coffee machine winner 'ghosted' by Currys until tweet went viral

The Leeds coffee machine winner 'ghosted' by Currys until tweet went viral

Jordan Phillips from Leeds was delighted when he received a notification announcing he had won a Philips coffee machine in an online giveaway run by retailer Currys. The competition required participants to follow Currys’ page on X, like the post, and comment for a chance to win the coffee machine valued at £380. After being declared the winner on 16 February, Jordan quickly submitted his delivery details, anticipating a smooth receipt of his prize.

Despite his early enthusiasm, weeks passed with no updates from Currys. When Jordan reached out to customer service in early April, he found himself caught in a frustrating cycle of unproductive responses. “It was going round and round in circles, it didn’t seem like it was going anywhere,” he reflected. Although assured multiple times that the prize was forthcoming, communication remained sparse. The official terms and conditions stated that delivery could take up to 60 days, and as that timeframe approached, Jordan decided to take further action.

On the 59th day without receiving the coffee machine, Jordan publicly threatened to lodge an official complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), reminding Currys of their contractual obligations for the prize draw. He posted on X, warning the retailer and highlighting the breach of their own terms. This message garnered significant attention, amassing 48,000 likes and more than five million views. Jordan admitted he hadn’t expected his post to gain such traction but hoped it would prompt better communication. His efforts paid off when Currys finally responded after the issue gained widespread visibility.

Currys issued a public apology via X, expressing regret for the delay and inconvenience. They assured the public they were investigating the problem to prevent future occurrences and confirmed that Jordan’s coffee machine would be dispatched the following day—61 days after he was initially notified of his win. Along with the machine, Jordan received a goodwill gesture including a voucher and coffee beans. Speaking about his experience, Jordan emphasized the importance of accountability, saying, “If you’ve been told that you’re going to win something and there’s terms and conditions that are binding, you should be able to receive what you’ve been told you’re going to receive.” Currys also stated they are implementing improved tracking systems for competition entries to avoid similar issues going forward

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