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Essay House contest called off

May 1, 2014 | 20

The couple who put up their Malahide home and property as the prize in an essay writing contest announced via Facebook on Thursday, May 1 that the second round had ended without a winner.

“It is with regret that we inform everyone that our Essay/Story contest did not meet the required number of entries to facilitate the awarding of the house,” the Facebook posting stated.

“The second round only had 1,083 entries,” the post continued. “For legal reasons, the contest could not have been extended or altered in any way. There will NOT be a third try at this.”

Posted in News, News Headlines
  • kim

    How long till entry money is returned?

  • Veronika Despins

    Waiting for my entry fee to be returned. I understand it will be $93, after mailing/ handling costs

  • Marilyn Steckly

    Was wondering also when the $93 entry fee will be refunded?

  • William Smale

    good luck getting a refund folks…I don’t think you will as this was likely a scam 🙁

  • Jan Verheul

    I am really disappointed that we have not received our $93 back I will give it one more week then I will go to the police.

  • Lane Adams

    I too have not received a refund, as yet. And why has the Facebook page been taken down? How are we to communicate with the Brydges?

    The fact that the house was placed on the market BEFORE the contest was supposed to close is shocking, frankly. That is NOT how a contest is supposed to be run.

    This is most upsetting and unsettling. If I wanted to simply give away $100, I would have donated the money to charity.

  • Janis Milliken

    This has been 2 months now and no refund. Was it a scam after all?

    Has anyone received any notice or refund?

    All the talk about legalities of contests. Let’s hope this has been actually legal.

  • William Smale

    “Fraud” was the Brydges game from the get-go..The only ones who may get a refund are the ones who complain hard enough. The Elgin County OPP really need to be called asap at 519-631-2920

  • ann

    nice that they never informed me where is my money

  • Janis Milliken

    Talking to the police.

  • nikki

    i have not received a refund either

  • Lane Adams

    Where are the Globe and Mail and CBC now? They promoted the contest. Why don’t they comment on the failure of the Brydges to refund our money? Or their listing of the house on MLS BEFORE the contest closed? Or their removal of the Facebook page? Shame on you, Mr. & Mrs. Brydges, for taking advantage of average hard-working folk. How are you spending our hard-earned money?

  • Clayton Self

    I created a new facebook webpage here for contestants who never received a refund to join and share
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/1503498733197074/1513920975488183/?comment_id=1513923178821296&notif_t=group_comment

  • Janis Milliken

    You are encouraged to contact the Elgin OPP. This was a scam. The police are extremely helpful.

  • Lisa

    Contact 1-888-310-1122, which is the OPP. These people have our personal information & the police need our information to help with the possible fraud.

  • Cheryl DesLauriers

    I am really upset. How can the Brydges take advantage of people like this. I borrowed the 100.00 to enter the contest, paid it back to the loaner and now have not received my money back

  • Ana

    Shame on this couple! My sister entered the contest and by the looks of things will never get her money back, she is a single mother of two kids.

  • Bonnie Hillen

    After the first round of the contest I decided to withdraw from the second round it took a long time to get my refund and only after i threatened to go to the newspaper about it. Then I received my money back minus the cost of them sending it registered through the mail so amounted to a lot less then the $100 fee I paid. At least I got something back anyway. But will never participate in something like that again.

  • Michèle Beaudry

    Very very disappointed with this contest. I played according to the rules, but I am still waiting for my refund of 93 $. Like everybody else, I work hard for my money. This is fraude.

    I called the police – they listened to me very patiently, but they did not give me any hope. I wrote several letters to this couple. No answers. Nothing.

    What can we do????

    Still waiting.
    Michèle Beaudry

  • Julianne

    I really thought they were sincere. It’s been 16 months since this contest ended. Where is my refund ?