Nestle USA, Nestle Ice Cream, Dreyers, Edys Nestle Flavorologist Contest for Kids - A FRAUD! Bakersfield And Glendale California
In April 2007, Nestle Ice Cream conducted a contest for kids ages 6-12 to become a Flavorologist for a Day." Nestle asked contestants to create a new kind of ice cream treat, and in exchange for assigning all intellectual property rights in the invention, 10 grand prize winners would receive an all-expenses paid trip for the winner and 3 family members to visit the top secret flavor lab (closed to the public!) at the Nestl Ice Cream factory in Bakersfield, CA to "sample one of the tastiest jobs in America."
The contest promomotional materials promised the winners would receive a behind-the-scenes tour where each child would have an opportunity to learn the fun science behind frozen pops, put their taste buds to the test on a variety of outlandish flavors, and sample their very own flavor creations.
We are delighted to offer pint-sized inventors a hands-on opportunity to dream up their own frozen pop creations, said John Harrison, Official Taster for Nestle Ice Cream."
But the contest turned out to be a FRAUD, and a classic bait-and-switch scam. In a voice mail message from Nestle's Julie Harshberger on Thursday, September 5th, my son was treated to Juliesquealing "Congratulations! You've won!" followed by a disengenious "apology" that because the lab is considered top secret (just as the promo materials indicated!), winners would not be coming to California after all.
In exchange for assigning their ideas to Nestle, the children will receive a $2,000 savings bond, some gift cards to Toys R Us, Target, and Amazon, and some lame Nestle promotional materials which Nestle
believes "exceeds the value" of the promised prize. Exactly how does this exceed the value of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Nestle's flavor lab and have your invention created. Mr. Harrison, how is this a "hands-on opportunity"? Attention, Nestle - has anyone there ever been a kid? Kids don't care about savings bonds. You should be ashamed of yourselves. BOYCOTT NESTLE PRODUCTS!
Max's mom
Potomac, Maryland
U.S.A.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Jodi
Johnstown,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Exactly right Justia...
#9Consumer Comment
Thu, September 13, 2007
although I feel the prizes are wonderful, they still used these children to get what they wanted, and didn't follow through with what was promised. If any of the people that responded here were to enter a contest, work hard on it, win, and then were told that they decided to change the prize to what "the company" wanted, I'm sure they would feel differently. It doesn't matter how good the other prizes are, it still isn't what this child was working for...and that's wrong! Justia said it best "a bait-and-switch on American children all across the nation. They are now free to use, for big profit, the ideas of these children without having to honor their stated reward."
P.S. Imagine if Willy Wonka didn't let Charlie Bucket into the chocolate factory after winning the contest...sad...just kidding.
Justitia
State College,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
'David and Goliath
#9Consumer Comment
Thu, September 13, 2007
I find it incredible that the previous replies express no outrage at the fact that this behemoth SWISS owned conglomerate pulled a bait-and-switch on American children all across the nation. They are now free to use, for big profit, the ideas of these children without having to honor their stated reward.
Rocky
Rockville,Maryland,
U.S.A.
I have a great idea.
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, September 12, 2007
If you think that all of those ice cream certificates and gift certificates are just not worthy wof being presented to your son; donate them to a local charity. I am sure there are kids in Montgomery County who would dearly love a 2 year supply of ice cream.
Your complaint is ridiculous. Your son got a wonderful prize. Ask him if he wants to keep the prizes or donate them to a Montgomery County charity such as The Shepherd's Table or So Others Might Eat.
Sane
Bangor,Maine,
U.S.A.
Ridiculous complaint
#9Consumer Comment
Tue, September 11, 2007
In the original complainer's own words from a blog she posted. These are the prizes her son is being offered, not just a "measly" savings bond:
(quoted directly from her blog):
The total prize package for each of our 10 winners is as follows:
$2,000.00 U.S. Savings Bond
$600.00 Toys R' Us Gift Certificate
$500.00 Target Gift Certificate
$500.00 Amazon.com Gift Certificate
A two (2) year's supply of NESTL Ice Cream Frozen Snacks (via 52 FREEfrozen snacks gift certificates) ($200.00 ARV)
A two (2) year's supply of Dreyer's/Edy's Ice Cream (via 52 FREE icecream gift certificates) ($312.00 ARV)
A frozen snacks party for all of the students at each winner's school ona mutually agreed-upon date between winner and sponsor ($200.00 ARV)
Assorted NESTL and/or Dreyer's/Edy's promotional items ($300.00 ARV)
I don't think a generous prize package like this warrants a boycott of the company.
Sane
Bangor,Maine,
U.S.A.
Ridiculous complaint
#9Consumer Comment
Tue, September 11, 2007
In the original complainer's own words from a blog she posted. These are the prizes her son is being offered, not just a "measly" savings bond:
(quoted directly from her blog):
The total prize package for each of our 10 winners is as follows:
$2,000.00 U.S. Savings Bond
$600.00 Toys R' Us Gift Certificate
$500.00 Target Gift Certificate
$500.00 Amazon.com Gift Certificate
A two (2) year's supply of NESTL Ice Cream Frozen Snacks (via 52 FREEfrozen snacks gift certificates) ($200.00 ARV)
A two (2) year's supply of Dreyer's/Edy's Ice Cream (via 52 FREE icecream gift certificates) ($312.00 ARV)
A frozen snacks party for all of the students at each winner's school ona mutually agreed-upon date between winner and sponsor ($200.00 ARV)
Assorted NESTL and/or Dreyer's/Edy's promotional items ($300.00 ARV)
I don't think a generous prize package like this warrants a boycott of the company.
Sane
Bangor,Maine,
U.S.A.
Ridiculous complaint
#9Consumer Comment
Tue, September 11, 2007
In the original complainer's own words from a blog she posted. These are the prizes her son is being offered, not just a "measly" savings bond:
(quoted directly from her blog):
The total prize package for each of our 10 winners is as follows:
$2,000.00 U.S. Savings Bond
$600.00 Toys R' Us Gift Certificate
$500.00 Target Gift Certificate
$500.00 Amazon.com Gift Certificate
A two (2) year's supply of NESTL Ice Cream Frozen Snacks (via 52 FREEfrozen snacks gift certificates) ($200.00 ARV)
A two (2) year's supply of Dreyer's/Edy's Ice Cream (via 52 FREE icecream gift certificates) ($312.00 ARV)
A frozen snacks party for all of the students at each winner's school ona mutually agreed-upon date between winner and sponsor ($200.00 ARV)
Assorted NESTL and/or Dreyer's/Edy's promotional items ($300.00 ARV)
I don't think a generous prize package like this warrants a boycott of the company.
Sane
Bangor,Maine,
U.S.A.
Ridiculous complaint
#9Consumer Comment
Tue, September 11, 2007
In the original complainer's own words from a blog she posted. These are the prizes her son is being offered, not just a "measly" savings bond:
(quoted directly from her blog):
The total prize package for each of our 10 winners is as follows:
$2,000.00 U.S. Savings Bond
$600.00 Toys R' Us Gift Certificate
$500.00 Target Gift Certificate
$500.00 Amazon.com Gift Certificate
A two (2) year's supply of NESTL Ice Cream Frozen Snacks (via 52 FREEfrozen snacks gift certificates) ($200.00 ARV)
A two (2) year's supply of Dreyer's/Edy's Ice Cream (via 52 FREE icecream gift certificates) ($312.00 ARV)
A frozen snacks party for all of the students at each winner's school ona mutually agreed-upon date between winner and sponsor ($200.00 ARV)
Assorted NESTL and/or Dreyer's/Edy's promotional items ($300.00 ARV)
I don't think a generous prize package like this warrants a boycott of the company.
Rachel
Denver,Colorado,
U.S.A.
hmm
#9Consumer Suggestion
Mon, September 10, 2007
Well I don't think it was fair to your child that they advertised to be able to go to the nestle lab, but at the same time I think Nestle gave your child enough to match up to what they said.......A $2,000 Savings bond will help your child in the future....also kid's would rather have toys than go to a taste tester place... Let your child enjoy his toys-r-us, target, and amazon toys!!