Advice Please ... [my PC account is 'locked']

[burmans]

Difference was the activity was in the terms of the promotion, in that case such activity was not prohibited, more than one download of the toolbar in your case was clearly in violation of the terms, big difference. Surprised you cannot see that!

Actually I beg to disagree on two points
1. I didn't actually see anything in the T&C's that stated you couldn't download more than once, but rather PC would only give you points once. Not the same thing at all!
2. Having said this I think you'll find he didn't download more than once as it wasn't the download that triggered the payment.

 

[burmans]

But using your line of argument at the same token, if you say that points have no value, then why are you annoyed that you lost, well, nothing?

Actually he's quoting PC here, not stating his own opinion of their value!

 

[markis10]

Actually I beg to disagree on two points
1. I didn't actually see anything in the T&C's that stated you couldn't download more than once, but rather PC would only give you points once. Not the same thing at all!
2. Having said this I think you'll find he didn't download more than once as it wasn't the download that triggered the payment.

The terms said only one bonus points payment per member, deliberately invoking the download process to get more points even if the download did not finish is clearly against the terms and conditions and shows intent. Yes, there is an issue with IT and PC, but that does not mean repeated advantage should be taken of the situation (a la the ATM issue in Perth). Compared to many, the advantage gained is small, what effect it has on PC's tolerance to such activity yet again we will find out soon enough.

I think it's interesting and a good sign that some blogs held up publishing details as it did not feel right, the question is, where is that line and should you cross it, it is only a question an individual can answer.

 

[medhead]

I must note topguest points did not post on Aug 13 into PC.

However, I did get top guest points from 13 August. Sure it's not a time difference thing, I often get points listed for the same day from top guest when it is just due to checking in late one day and early the next.

 

[Mal]

There are many different forms of "abuse". The audits are mainly there to clarify in PCs mind whether particular behaviour was abuse, over-enthusiasm or outright fraud.

Rumours about of xx_,xx_ and x,xx_,xx_ point earners from such "flaws". Some of these people also convert the points straight away into cash-equivalent items (such as gift cards, or transfers to other programs). These people are the real target of audits.

Anyway, I suppose what I'm saying is that if you "abuse" a promo, keep quiet and hope it's not found out. If found out, then there can be consequences.

 

[burmans]

The terms said only one bonus points payment per member, deliberately invoking the download process to get more points even if the download did not finish is clearly against the terms and conditions and shows intent.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, I'm not a fan of pedantry but lawyers are and I think the language used in then is important. I've had to work with too many lawyers on writing T&C's myself to think these are an accident. The way these are written gives PC the right to only pay once but equally put the onus on them, not the consumer, to ensure this occurs.

Far from not allowing multiple downloads, by specifically stating how multiple downloads will be handled the T&C's have allowed for that possibility WITHOUT specifically stating any conditions excluding the participant from doing this.

But this is kind of irrelevant when the implemented IT solution designed a two step process (enter your details step one, download step two) and paid the bonus on the first, not the second, as documented in many blogs. Most people who got the points never downloaded the toolbar even once.

Don't get me wrong! I think PC are perfectly entitled to (retrospectively) enforce the one payment rule but given they have themselves breached the T&C's at least twice (when they pay and how often they pay) I think they would have hard time in a court making a case against those who have done this a few times and punishing them. Not that I am suggesting it will get to court but am sure that their internal lawyers are aware that is possible if their response is not appropriate. Those who have done thousands of times, different story!

 

[whatmeworry]

However, I did get top guest points from 13 August. Sure it's not a time difference thing, I often get points listed for the same day from top guest when it is just due to checking in late one day and early the next.

Not sure if its a timezone thing, maybe I checked in when they did a system wide shutdown. Didn't get any double crediting for 1 day. Who knows. Not going to ask PC about it.

 

[Rick93]

I am pleased to report, that after speaking to a CSR on the phone, my PC account has been restored to 'as it was'.

I am not going to 'go on' about it any further. I am simply 'pleased' with the result.

It took this event, to give me cause to 'research' the various issues, that until recently, I had no knowledge about ( yes, I should be aware of these things ... and now I am ).

Each person affected by an 'account lock' will have to deal with their circumstance, and provide whatever explanation to PCR. I told the CSR the truth ... that I did not download the Toolbar program, and found an error, possibly due to my operating system / and or browser ... so I clicked onto the link several times more, on each of the links I was aware of. The CSR clarified my rationale, and offered to restore my account on-the-spot. ( thank you )

I waited for a minute, and yes, I was able to log into my account, and was 'pleased' with the result.

Some Forum users here may feel I have 'wasted' everybody's time, but I think there were 'lessons learned' for most of us. I know I certainly have learned a lesson, and will most definately not enter any promo more than once ( be it willingly or by technical 'misadventure' ).

GORDO

 

[medhead]

Good outcome. You haven't wasted time at all. Provided valuable information for others who might get caught inadvertently. Also I don't think you need to stop taking up opportunities, just be more selective and careful.


Sent from the Throne

 

[JohnK]

Did I miss out on all the fun again? So if got it right people kept clicking on a link that was supposed to credit 300 points to their account? And did they think they were clicking anonymously as points were being deposited into their account?

Anyway I agree that the penalty should be to only forfeit the points gained deceptively and if the points have already been redeemed then I would bar them from further promotions.

Should there be any lessons learned here?

 

[Bundy Bear]

I am pleased to report, that after speaking to a CSR on the phone, my PC account has been restored to 'as it was'.

Some Forum users here may feel I have 'wasted' everybody's time, but I think there were 'lessons learned' for most of us. I know I certainly have learned a lesson, and will most definately not enter any promo more than once ( be it willingly or by technical 'misadventure' ).

GORDO

Thanks for the update, no you haven't wasted everybody's time, some promotions that have been posted can be useful and others can be more trouble than they are worth and it always good to use the resourcefulness of AFF to get different opinions.

 

[Rick93]

Well, here we go again ...

Locked out, but this time, no promo entries, so I don't know why this time.

If not back up in a few days ... another phone call to PC I suppose.

Any theories out there ??

 

[The Rok]

Maybe they have completed their investigation and have decided the rules were broken and to lock you out altogether?

It's had to know, it could be just a computer deciding somewhere to do the lock out. Good luck this time, although I suspect you might not be so lucky in getting anywhere this time.

 

[whatmeworry]

Give them a call straight away Gordo. Probably an automated thing. Did you call the toll free number (1 300 363 300) or the Australian based number (9935 8362).

Could be the CSR giveth and the IT department taketh.

 

[Rick93]

OK, just got off the phone to ( Manila again? - actually, I like Manila, but I would have hoped to speak to someone in Australia !! ) ...

First of all, I was told I have committed "fraud", and my account has been "cancelled and closed" ... ( I nearly fell off my chair )

After a few minutes of ( politely - gee, it was hard ) explaining, that I have not willingly committed "fraud", the operator left me for a while ( to stew ?), then came back to state: "your account has been randomly selected for audit by the system ... It will take about one week".

So I asked the 'hard' question ( no, not that one !! ) ... will my account be permanently closed?

"No, your account is in audit, and it will take one week to check if there are signs of fraud".

I couldn't get anything else out of the operator. ONE WEEK ???

Is this what has been happening in the past?? ( sorry to drag this out again, I thought it was over )

 

[eric2011]

OK, just got off the phone to ( Manila again? - actually, I like Manila, but I would have hoped to speak to someone in Australia !! ) ...

First of all, I was told I have committed "fraud", and my account has been "cancelled and closed" ... ( I nearly fell off my chair )

After a few minutes of ( politely - gee, it was hard ) explaining, that I have not willingly committed "fraud", the operator left me for a while ( to stew ?), then came back to state: "your account has been randomly selected for audit by the system ... It will take about one week".

So I asked the 'hard' question ( no, not that one !! ) ... will my account be permanently closed?

"No, your account is in audit, and it will take one week to check if there are signs of fraud".

I couldn't get anything else out of the operator. ONE WEEK ???

Is this what has been happening in the past?? ( sorry to drag this out again, I thought it was over )

Ditto, same story

 

[Rick93]

I feel just a fraction better, knowing it's not just me ( not happy about it, but hey! ) ...

What a pain!!

How often do we need to have this done??

Is it a result of using promos like the 'Google Tool Bar', or entering too many PC promo codes - like 'Next Stay Bonus' etc. ??

Do the 'wise old dogs' only enter ONE promo code per ??? ( how often )

What advice ( not already offered ) to avoid these so-called 'audits' ???

( I'd be freaken' out if I didn't have this Forum to bounce questions off )

BTW, I surfed onto the PC Connect Forum ( in the States, I think ). PMed a 'Carolyn' ( PC Community Manager ) to ask her advice. On an USA PC forum, she has offered to 'unlock' accounts, and offers x advice here and there ... )

Priority Club Rewards Program - Priority Club Connect

 

[eric2011]

BTW, I surfed onto the PC Connect Forum ( in the States, I think ). PMed a 'Carolyn' ( PC Community Manager ) to ask her advice. On an USA PC forum, she has offered to 'unlock' accounts, and offers x advice here and there ... )

Priority Club Rewards Program - Priority Club Connect

Gordo, Let me know how you go with this

 

[markis10]

IC are also reviewing all RA referred clients as well at present, given their is an Australian EBay account that has unlimited referrals to sell, which has been bought to their attention! I had a call last night from them regarding a referral cert I passed on last year asking a generic questions about the referral circumstances. Because the Ebay auctions are all coming from Australia, there is a little bit of focus on Australian members.

 

[eric2011]

IC are also reviewing all RA referred clients as well at present, given their is an Australian EBay account that has unlimited referrals to sell, which has been bought to their attention! I had a call last night from them regarding a referral cert I passed on last year asking a generic questions about the referral circumstances. Because the Ebay auctions are all coming from Australia, there is a little bit of focus on Australian members.

There's a scary coincidence, I was just looking at that offer on ebay only 10 minutes ago, wasnt thinking of bidding but if PC continue to lock me out I will have an Ambassador free weekend night voucher to sell and wanted to see if any were for sale and what they are selling for.

I am not going to lose as much as some, I am sure, with this account closure, perhaps around 65000 points plus 3 nights already booked using vouchers and then this free night voucher. I'm not going to worry myself too much about things as PC dont have that much exposure here in Australia where I do most of my travel. I have just been in and re-booked all of my future bookings on my Platinum Accor card and they have a much better portfolio of Australia and New Zealand properties than PC