A Storm is Brewing

Storm - definition: A storm is any disturbed state of body affecting its surface. Storms generally lead to significant negative impacts. I know there are a lot of severe storms of the weather kind right now - and blessings of safety to all. BUT this is about another storm that is sweeping the internet - give aways that are not being completed and what do we do?


I have been lucky to receive many wonderful winnings, but lately have been 'scammed' by give aways. And it has left a negative impact on my blogging enjoyment. Some may be insulted by what I am about to say and others may be helped.

I have sought advise from other bloggers, Attorney General's office and a lawyer - yes I am that concerned being someone who has had identity theft in the past. An individual offering a give away is considered a gift - unless you can prove they are using your information. I had an individual who never followed thru with a give away and their blog is now defunct so end of line.

If a shop or company is offering a give away and took your personal information, you can file with their area Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau to file a complaint. If it was a pre-paid gift from another party, that party should be informed so they can recoup their monies. The Attorney General's Office does have an internet office for these policies and these are the beginning steps. And told that the best way to gain awareness was to put it to the source - you bloggers and the internet.


I have had a 'stormy' experience with a give away by the The Material Girls Quilts - give away on March 13th with 3 winners announce on the 16th. None of us received winnings and started contacting each other with correspondence sent to the patron. Each of us getting different replies (or none) - I was told 5 times it was being put in the mail.

Two of us have finally received our 'winnings' but not what it was suppose to be - see those Fat Quarter Bundles, that was what was posted on the give away site? This is what I got in a plain manila envelope rather beat up with the WRONG NAME and no return address. The third person has not received anything nor is getting response back. I feel like a dog who was thrown a bone.

I really wanted to return everything , but it wouldn't make me feel better. Instead, I took the fabric to a local center that has free quilting classes and has a free fabric, notions, patterns wall. Now someone who is without can enjoy and I feel like I have a better ending.



So if you have been scammed, keep copies of all correspondence, follow thru, and blog about it so someone else can avoid some heartache. We need to stand strong for ourselves and each other.

**I am following the chain on another giveaway that has not materialized and if that needs to, it will be aired also** ****This has been resolved****
**update** The third party just notified me they just got their package**

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon