Players forum from WMS

So here in the US, I'm not sure about elsewhere.
WMS has devised a players forum of a sort. Where we can trade ideas, opinions, and get to test new ideas that are up and coming from WMS Gaming. They also send out surveys about possible new licenses and game ideas, which enter you into a quarterly draw for a $100 cash prize for 5 lucky winners. Also if your active in there forum, they will also once a month. Announce so and so is our panelist of the month, they get there picture posted on the front page of the forum. As being an active and loyal contributor to the forum. Now here's where my bitch and moan comes into play.
So they sent me an e-mail announcing I was the grand winner for February as panelist of the month. If I would be so kind and confirm my acceptance of the honor. They would love a photo of me and a current address of where to send the check.
So I do as they ask, they reply we'll send you, your winnings in 6 to 8 weeks. Ok, so a long wait but for free money I can't complain. Figuring it was the standard $100 prize that the Survey winners get or possibly even better.
So the month of February happens and they post my photo and everyone congratulates me on a job well done on achieving such an honorary status.
Come the middle of March, pay day baby! I'm thinking sweet, my first real contest prize that I've won in life. To open the check voucher and find it's only for $25.00. I'm like really? Seriously? You ask for my permission to post my photo online and say I proudly support WMS. Which I do, for a whole month and compared to those who don't have to publicly announce there passion and drive for WMS. Are allowed to get $100?
So I e-mail them right away, saying I thank them for the check. While I appreciate the free money, wasn't there a mistake in the amount? Shouldn't a guy who gets all the publicity as a winner on your site get treated at least as an equal to a survey winner if not better?
So then I get a cookie cutter reply, saying well we have to send this to the prize fulfillment team and they'll get back to you soon. So 2 weeks later, apparently soon is like 6 to 8 weeks? Like it takes to process a $25 check?
So while I'm sure a few of you may think, well you got free money why should you be upset? You didn't do anything for it?
Well to add more back story, back in January. They sent out some pins that advertised there new Alice in Wonderland Slot and Aladdin Slot. Also a freebie given away to loyal panelist supporters. To only have to pay additional postage on the pins.
So between the postage fiasco and the check being considerably less than what a random survey winner would get. Without any form of reasonable explanation from them on why the panelist of the month gets less. To say the least I'm upset. I'm not totally sure what to do, if I have any form of recourse or if I'm just better of waiting for that reply.
I just hope there not sweeping me under the rug.
I felt maybe a gambling forum would be the best place to rant about a good casino slot machine manufacturer literally screwing over a player.

I am so sorry to hear this, i hope you get this sorted out soon.

WMS and jackpot party are doing exactly the same to all the players, they totally dont care, they are such a big company too, and it is totally bad how they treat thier customers

Jackpot party Casino (uk only) the WMS slots in it pay soo badly and we cant complain and we have no leg to stand on either, they just use any excuse or not reply when we do complain to them, i really dont understand why such a big company like this is treating the players and thier customers soo badly

they really need to change this before it is too late i think

LuckyRJ

You may want to do your homework on this site cheetah. They may not have any affiliation what so ever with WMS and to be honest sounds a bit strange they would even need a forum like this considering they are MASSIVE in the industry.

Lips

Actually here's the proof they are associated with WMS

1. CONTEST PERIOD: The PLAYERSFORUM.COM Contest starts on March 1, 2012 at 12:01 AM Pacific Time and closes on March 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. The Contest is sponsored by WMS Gaming Inc. (the “Sponsor”). Vision Critical Communications Inc. (“VCCI”) has been retained by the Sponsor to administer the Contest. VCCI is and shall remain solely responsible for the delivery of the Prize(s) to the winner(s).

They've been offering various contest such as this one for quite some times.  As incentives to find out what people are more likely to play for game licenses versus having it up to game designers to decide what games they want to create.  It's a cheaper way for them to get a focus group over having to bring people physically in.
Now the above is one of the most recent contests of where I could give you the proof there actually associated with WMS.
If you look at the front page the slot itself on the front is Zeus.  A WMS game.  Plus most of the moderators start there names with WMS_(insert moderator name).