Takbo.ph is Not Connected to Club Astoria and the Club Astoria Raffle

It’s Friday and I should be in a good mood.  But I just received an email from a fellow runner who is very upset with Takbo.ph.  I was surprised on why the site has offended him.  I read the email and it is about a Club Astoria agent calling his daugther for winning the raffle which they won during the Pioneer Mighty Bond Xtreme Run 2010 held last December 19, 2010 at UP Diliman.

Read the email below.

UPDATE:  Read Club Astoria Reply to the letter sender.

Me and my daughter were finisher of just concluded “Pioneer Mighty Bond Xtreme Run 2010 for the benefit of bantay bata 163 at Tiendesitas, Pasig City last December 19, 2010.  Today, January 6, 2011 somebody from Club Astoria called my daughter in her office to advice that she won the raffle for this event.  The prized is a free accommodation for Orlando Florida; 3 days and 2 nights to Las Vegas, Nevada; Bali, Indonesia; Bangkok, Thailand and Tagbilaran Bohol.  My daughter was also invited for a free buffet dinner at Club Astoria, Pasig City as part of the prize.  After she ate, they did not give yet the complimentary accommodation unless my daughter will attend the seminar.  It’s already 10:30 p.m. and my daughter was still in Club Astoria and now me and my wife at home started to worry.  I called her and advised not to put out any cash or used any credit card because I can sense that there is something fishy is going on.  She went there to just get her prize for the raffle and there she is being cornered.  The seminar was about joining the Club and they were asking to pay PHP18,000 for the membership which my daughter rejected.  My daughter arrived home at 11:15 p.m. now me and wife can no longer sleep for the night.

My question is a big “WHY” did TAKBO allowed to have this kind of raffle prize with string attached.  I will not allow my daughter to use this complimentary accommodation which my daughter won because she encountered problems in claiming the prize and I believed she will encounter problems in the future.  TAKBO thank you na lang for the prized.    Next time, we will not join any of Takbo, Bantay Bata 163 and Republic Chemical Industries fun run anymore and will disseminate this information to other runners.

MY REACTION

I was shocked to be involved.  I really don’t know how Takbo.ph was involved on this.  Did they say to the runner they got their contact from Takbo.ph?  Did they have a booth during the event where runners fill up the form or drop their calling cards?

I also felt sad that a runner will no longer join events for the benefit of Bantay Bata 163.

TABKO.PH REPLY

First of all, Takbo.ph is not connected with Club Astoria.  We do not have a raffle in connection with them.  It is not related to running in the first place.

Second, Takbo.ph is not the organizer of the Pioneer Mighty Bond Xtreme Run 2010.  Neither did we provide any contact numbers and contact details of the participant of this event.  We don’t even have copies of the registration forms.

And third, our involvement with Pioneer Mighty Bond Xtreme Run 2010 is to announce the event.  Our logo was included in the posters as a media partner, perhaps.  I am not aware that it was included this year but they must have extended this agreement from last year.  I think I should be more careful in allowing the Takbo.ph logo to be displayed.

CLUB ASTORIA AND OTHER SCHEMES

If you try to search about “club astoria philippines raffle” it is full of similar complaints.  Some stories are HERE, HERE, and HERE.  Read the comments too since some agents or members will say their side of the story.

They could be calling more runners and offer their “raffle” prizes.  With the popularity of running, many will knock into runners’ doors and promote their product or services.  Try to do some research about the caller and the company first before getting involved.

It’s members and agents can attest that this is legitimate and many affluent people are already enjoying its benefits.  Either it is a scam or not, I still don’t like the manner in which they lure you to their offers and drag the innocent runners.