50,000 Winners in DM Sweepstakes Prompt Do-over

A Roswell NM Honda dealership had intended to include only one $1000 grand-prize winner among the 50,000 scratch-off cards it mailed to prospects.

But a proofing error by Atlanta-based Force Events Direct Marketing allowed all the tickets to come through as winners — and 30,000 of the erroneous ducats made it into the mails before the mistake was caught.

Jeff Kohn, general manager of Roswell Honda, said 800 hopefuls came by the dealership last Thursday alone and another 1300 phoned in, the Associated Press reported.

“They’re very angry,” he said. “The last thing I wanted to do is upset the general public.”

To make amends, Roswell Honda is letting card recipients take part in a drawing for a $5000 grand prize. They can also take part in a giveaway of Wal-Mart gift cards valued at $5 to $100.

Force Events has reportedly accepted responsibility for the gaffe.