How about handling things like the Sam's Club contests? I know it would require work (and time=$), but it appears that several competitiors are spending a fair amount of time chasing down funds, paying fees, while still be short earned prize money.
While KCBS gives their all to make contests fair; if they would collect the funds from the organizers, and then send a FEDEX envelope back to the organizers prior to the contest with the award checks the entire problem could be solved. Yeah, sure the FEDEX plane can crash, etc, but at least every paying contestant would know that a good faith effort to get every award paid with guaranteed funds at the event had been made by KCBS. I don't recall an instance where KCBS and the BOD hasn't done the right thing.
I love to hear about the new team going to Anytown, USA and getting two calls and having a great time and being excited about competing again. I hate to read and hear about instances like this that make people considering an amazing hobby reconsider.
Either it is time to vett the organizers better or try a new means of fiscal management at the contest level.