So I was "robbed" of my Perfect Timing (PT) Swatch?
Well this is what happened.........
12th April 1996 - Newcastle. Perfect Timing number 98, given to a saleswomans friend.
I went to the Newcastle branch of ****** jewellers and as per all PT draws, I waited until 12 noon for the free draw to take place. I had attended 3 other draws around the country (to no avail) all of which were heavily attended and all of which were advertised through the normal channels and appeared to be carried out fairly. This one was not advertised and indeed when I called the jewellers they said they knew nothing about it. I called someone I know at Swatch in London who confirmed the draw would take place and didn't know why the secrecy.
So, I arrived and asked about the draw, no one knew about it (they said) but lo and behold, tucked away at the back of the Swatch display was the PT draw details. I asked for an entry (which was half a PT paper watch, the other half went in a draw box) and was grudgingly given one. I looked in the box and was somewhat surprised to see only ONE entry. Mine. My younger brother was with me so he also entered. Two entries. 12 noon arrived and we knew for a fact that either me or lil bro had won it. We asked for the draw to take place as per the rules (12 noon, no entries accepted any later under any circumstances) and was told we had to wait a few minutes because the Swatch representative hadn't arrived. We waited until 12:10 and asked again. Again we were told we had to wait. At approximately 12:20 a woman came breathless and panting to the display and greeted the salesperson with a cheery "hi Susan, sorry I'm late" and proceeded to take an entry paper and hand it to the salesperson (Susan). Susan immediately put the half a draw paper in her hand, dipped it in the box and pulled out a draw paper. No rummaging around, no suspense, just straight in, straight out. "Oh Marie it's you" cried the saleswoman AS SHE DREW HER HAND FROM THE BOX!!! "You won". I'm not bloody surprised she won! She didn't "draw" a winner, she just kept the one entry form in her hand the whole time! I was astonished. It took a few moments to even realise what was happening. One minute we were waiting for the draw to take place (20 mins late), the next this salespersons friend had arrived, a totally fixed "draw" took place and I was "robbed" of "my" PT! The "lucky winner" grabbed the PT and scarpered. No Swatch representitive ever turned up (as per the rules).
Hang on a minute I said, what just happened there! You just GAVE your mate that watch that I have travelled 80 miles to try and aquire fairly and honestly and that was a blatant fix!. "Oh, I'm sorry the salesperson replied, it was a fair draw" she claimed and then left.
I was not only speechless, amazed and incandesent but furious that I had just seen a blatant "theft" take place. I reported it to the manager of the store (Sorry, it was a fair draw because I know the saleswoman and she is honest, you didn't win, better luck next time) and then reported it in writing to Swatch UK. Swatch UK's reply read as follows.
"We are sorry to hear you didn't win the draw you attended recently. We have contacted the saleswoman involved and she assures us that the draw was carried out properly and our representative present confirms this. better luck next time." There was no Swatch representative. Ever. There was the saleswoman, me and my brother.
You can perhaps imagine how annoying this was. It is little different that someone stealing a car and then being asked by the police if they had indeed stolen it. "Oh no officer its mine" Oh well then, On your way, investigation over!!!!!!
I exchanged 4 further correspondences with Swatch UK and the reply came back each time the same. Sorry, it was all above board and the rep was there. I'll go on oath to tell you no rep attended. That was the actual excuse used to delay the draw!
I then wrote to the Head offices 3 times and didn't even receive acknowlegement. Then I gave up on Swatch.
As far as I'm concerned Swatch don't give a stuff, they don't care how draws are carried out and when handed all the evidence of how a draw was manipulated in order to give a high value item to a friend at the expense of a dedicated collector who has put time, effort and hard cash into collecting their response is .... 'tough'. Well thanks a lot. Stuff you too.
That is why I stopped collecting Swatches. My experience was not a one off and this kind of behaviour occurs whenever there is an item of any value to be "given away" at swatch events that are not run directly by Swatch. I have no doubt that official Swatch events are managed more fairly (I'd hope so) . It's a shame other events sanctioned and backed by Swatch are not.
Robert Allsopp.