Dubai: Etisalat has said that the winners of its ‘Send and Win' promotion will be announced soon.
The SMS promotion encourages subscribers to enter a basic general knowledge quiz, at a cost of Dh5 per message. However, consumers told Gulf News on Sunday that they felt ‘cheated' by the promotion.
Sample questions from etisalat's latest SMS quiz
In a statement sent on Monday, etisalat said that Dh25,000 was presented to the winner in the campaign "where users purchase innovative online digital content". The digital content consists of a selection of mobile phone wallpaper.
"This campaign is different to others in the market as users who purchase this attractive online digital content will also be entered into a draw to win cash prizes," Khalifa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President, Marketing, etisalat, said.
"The draw for the winner takes place every week in Abu Dhabi, and is attended by officials from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce," he said. The promotion started on November 1 and will finish at the end of January.
Website
The winners' list will be posted on the competition website (www.sendandwin.ae) every week, while winners will also be contacted by etisalat's representatives from (101), according to the statement.
"The competition is entirely via the text messaging service and as always, winners will be notified through official means.
"Customers should keep in mind that etisalat does not require them to provide their personal and confidential information, such as bank account number, driving licence number or to transfer cash amounts or payment of any kind to avail of prizes won," it said.
Competition: du special promotion
Telecom provider du is running a similar promotion, called the "SMS Diamond Challenge". The texts cost Dh2 and participants are encouraged to "Be a Millionaire" by texting in and answering questions.
However, du customer M. Muniasamy told Gulf News: "[In the] beginning I was feeling good and having more interest to participate ... Now I am totally feeling bad to answer/attend any such competitions."
He added that he thinks he has spent approximately Dh200.
"Now I am not willing to read/receive any special promotions, competitions or contests from that service provider." He said he was surprised that service providers would cheat their customers through a contest adding that he was going to cancel his mobile connection.
Prizes range from Dh5,500 to Dh250,000 worth of diamonds, being offered daily, every three days, weekly and monthly. The top prize will be awarded at the end of the campaign.
