May 08, 2009 - Press Dispensary - Leading electrical specialist retailer, Comet, is launching its 'Replace This Disgrace' online competition at http://www.replacethisdisgrace.com to find the most outdated and 'disgraceful' electrical items still being used today in the UK.
'Replace This Disgrace' is a free to enter contest that invites anyone in the UK to make and submit a funny video of their disgraceful items - for example, an old and embarrassing TV, video recorder (Betamax anyone?) or "ice age" freezer - explaining why they feel shamed by it.
The video entries will then receive votes from the public, with one winner emerging in each of the three categories of shame - 'Home Entertainment', 'Computer Equipment' and 'Kitchen Appliances' - so the options for shockingly out-of-date gear are diverse.
The competition is designed to have wide appeal: even the "technology gods" out there could take the opportunity to persuade their "luddite" friends or family to enter the 21st century.
To enter, participants should follow these three simple steps:
1. Choose the ‘disgraceful’ electrical product.
2. Make a short video explaining why the item is so bad.
3. Upload the video to YouTube UK and submit the link to the 'Replace This Disgrace' website.
Easy to follow instructions are on the site, including a simple ‘walk through’ video to help everyone take their chance to enter.
The competition is open to UK residents only. All entries must contain ‘family friendly’ content, and entrants can submit as many videos in as many categories as they wish.
Once a video entry has been uploaded, voting on it will open. The entry that has accumulated the most votes in each category by the closing date of midnight on July 31, 2009, will win the prize. 'Replace This Disgrace' will send all entrants who submit videos ideas on how to "campaign" to win more votes, while the 'Replace This Disgrace' Facebook fan site will provide advice on making a video, uploading the content and campaigning for votes.
All entries must be received by the closing date to be included in the competition. Obviously, the sooner a video is entered, the sooner it can start winning votes. Voting takes place on http://www.replacethisdisgrace.com . There's no need to register to start voting, and all voting is free of charge.
The prizes for each category are £1,500 worth of electrical equipment chosen by the winners. Their disgraceful old items will be removed by Comet installation services and recycled, giving these old dinosaurs the end they fittingly deserve!
For more information or to enter, please visit http://www.replacethisdisgrace.com
Following the latest competition entries will be easy on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/replacedisgrace
The Facebook discussion board and fan page for those making videos and campaigning for votes is at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Replace-This-Disgrace/76772466383
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Notes for editors
Additional competition information:
No purchase necessary to enter the competition.
A user can enter as many videos as they like in any of the three categories. All entries must be "clean" – anything that isn’t suitable for family viewing will not be published. All valid entries will be automatically included in the competition as long as they meet the entry requirements.
Comet will try to ensure that all valid entries are included in the voting but does not accept liability for entries lost or delayed because of computer system issues.
Any entries that do not have a correct email address will not be eligible to win a prize.
Winners will be those who have submitted the video that receives the most votes in each of the three categories.
Comet’s decision is final and no other correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome of the competition.
The winners will be notified by email or telephone on 14 August, 2009.
The prize in each of the three categories consists of the winner’s choice of products, as available on the Comet website or in Comet stores on 14 August, 2009, up to the value of £1,500. Subject to availability. The winners will also receive free delivery, installation and set up of their chosen prizes.
Prizes are non transferrable and no cash alternative will be offered. Gift cards, iTunes vouchers or mobile phone top ups will be excluded from the prize.
This competition is closed to employees of Comet Group Plc, who remain in Comet’s employment at the time of the winner being decided.
About Comet:
Comet, a leading specialist electrical retailer, has more than 250 stores throughout the UK offering a wide range of electrical products. Thousands of competitor prices are checked every week to ensure that Comet's prices are competitive.
The Comet website - Comet.co.uk - offers easy, convenient shopping and, with Comet's click and collect service, customers can reserve items online and collect them in store an hour later. Additionally, customers can shop by phone on 0844 800 9595. Calls usually cost no more than five pence per minute from landlines; calls from mobiles usually cost more.
Comet offers an all-round shopping experience with a range of services including home delivery, full installation of products such as televisions and computers, take back facilities for large products and comprehensive after sales service.
For further information, please contact:
Robbie Tutt, Comet UK
Tel: 01923 714868
Email: robbie.tutt@comet.co.uk
Site: www.replacethisdisgrace.com
