Woman Sues Over Radio Station's Toy Hummer April Fools' Prank (Littegation Lottery Alert)

KFMB 8 Website ^ | 07-13-05 | no byline

[AntiGuv]

This seems like a good time to post: The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity.

I don't need to lighten up, and it's no big deal to me. All I'm saying is that she'll probably win the case. The law is very strict and clear with regard to conducting TV & radio contests.

[RadioAstronomer]

This whole thing reminds me of the time Taco Bell released an April Fools advertisement that they 'baught' the Liberty Bell and were changing the name to "The Taco Liberty Bell". People all over the country flooded Taco Bell's customer support lines hysterical and crying and threatening to sue.

They also did not promise anyone anything. Yes there are stupid people. However, as a business, you better live up to what you promise. There are bait and switch laws in this country.

[Josh in PA]

Great point..

How about McDonalds advertises that they are giving away Free Big Macs, and then when you drive out there they go, "Ha Ha, We're just kidding!"

They would be under violation of the law for false advertising!

There are alot of idiots in the world, and this thread is bringing them out of the woodworks with their defense of the radio station.

[goldstategop]

The station is liable for running a deceptive contest implying a winner would get a real Hummer. Playing a cruel joke on contestants is not playing by the rules. If the station played an April Fools' joke, it ought to have made it clear it was not a *real* contest. Once it led listeners to believe there was a real prize to be awarded, they had a duty to award it. My belief is having pulled a bait and switch on that poor woman, a rip-off Toy Hummer prank prize will be the least of their worries.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Josh in PA]

They intentionally led on that it was a real vehicle with "22 inch rims".

They intentionally misled the public as to what the prize was.

They should pay.

[RadioAstronomer]

Not disclosing the dimentions of the prize

22-inch wheels? Sounds like a dimension to me.

[Physicist]

Allow me to be the first to say this: LIGHTEN UP!!!!!

I wonder how rich you have to be to laugh off 60 grand.

The long and short of it is that they held a contest, she won, and they reneged. I'd sue without the slightest shame.

[AntiGuv]

She is certainly smart enough to file a virtual slam-dunk lawsuit. What does that say about the other 'winner'?? ;^)

[Tempestuous]

Hmmm.... Should any advertisement be able to be called a "practical joke" whenever a store or business establishment decides to not to honor it?"

April Fools is tradition in this country and I hate to see that practical jokes on that day become illegal because of some hypersensitive dumbasses can't take a joke.

Boo-hoo, you hurt my feelings. Give me a break and grow up. You sound like all the other idiots out there who are "offended" at everything.

[Josh in PA]

I wouldn't hesitate to sue at all. I'd have my lawyer at their door on April 2nd.

[Tanniker Smith]

You are so right. In fact, you're so right that I'll tell you what. Buy yourself a bus ticket to Manhattan and I'll meet you at the Empire State Buiilding and give you 100 Grand for being so right. No strings attached.

TS

[FreePaul]

There's currently a suit involving a radio station offering 100 Grand as a contest prize. Turned out to be a 100 Grand candy bar. Maybe if they lose enough in these "contests" they'll learn. Then again if you listen for a few minutes to the "disk jockeys" you can see that they haven't learned anything in their life so far.

[RadioAstronomer]

I'd sue without the slightest shame.

You and me both.

[Josh in PA]

The April Fools joke played all week before "April Fools Day".

So when they were advertising the Hummer over March 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th etc.. It's okay to do because the Punchline was on April 1st?

Your position is at the height of ridiculous absurdity.\

[goldstategop]

I'm all for practical jokes. But they should be presented as such. If you're running a contest, state the rules and the nature of the prize to be awarded. If you're too dumb to be honest to the contestants, expect a lawyer to come calling in your future.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[twin2]

Anytime a radio station runs a contest, they have to post the official rules. These days it is usually done on their website. If it is a register to win, and the prize is over a certain value, the rules must be registered with the state.

I am sure somewhere in the rules the prize was stated as a remote controlled hummer. If this was the case, legally the station is correct. If the woman invested this much time and effort in the contest and didn't research the official rules to find out exactly what she was winning, then this is her fault.

Of course for PR purposes the station will cough up something else for her.

[whd23]

The prize was a Hummer wasn't it? Not disclosing the dimentions of the prize or the fact that it was a toy car is not illegal. Is it illegal to play a practical joke? Nope...didn't think so.

From the article:

"He said the station indicated the H2 had 22-inch rims, suggesting the vehicle itself was full-sized."

If I'm the judge, that seals the deal. The station, and the DJs, stepped in it right there. I'd find in favor of the plaintiff.

[FreePaul]

Sorry if my previous post blew your generous offer. But then maybe someone will still take you up on it.

[Cowman]

Should any advertisement be able to be called a "practical joke" whenever a store or business establishment decides to not to honor it?

So, If someone were to say to you

"A priest, a rabbi, an exotic dancer, and a duck walk into a bar."

you would take it as a news bulletin?

[Tanniker Smith]

Yeah, it's just like my ex-friend who keeps telling me about how much I owe him when I actually had my fingers crossed behind my back. Crossing one's fingers is an age-old tradition emblazoned on screen and in our literature. I would hate to have that declared illegal because someone was too lazy to check behind my back and too lazy to cross his own fingers.

TS