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Sears Discounts, Deals and Coupon Codes

Contests & Sweepstakes Tips, Advice, and Questions

58,150 56,135 June 2, 2008 at 07:50 PM in Other (6) Get Sears coupons Coupons
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Last Edited by BostonGirl March 8, 2015 at 07:18 AM
+89 Deal Score
2,136,072 Views
The intent of this thread is for users, both new and not-so-new, to ask questions, and help with tips/advice. This is not by any means the "gospel". Please feel free to add your words of wisdom, and if you have questions, just ask! If you have a tip that will make sweeping easier for folks, please feel free to share. This is a community effort. We all will benefit in some way.


The Basic Advice/Tips for the new-to-sweeping folks.
Enter for the items you want/need. If you have no interest in trips, avoid the sweeps where the only prize is a trip. If you know you can't afford the tax on a new vehicle, avoid entering for those.

Set up folders in your bookmark/favorites. Create a separate one for each month, and file any sweeps you are interested in into the folder corresponding with when it ends. Then, if you have a day where you're pressed for time, enter at least the ones ending that day.

Play the instant win games.

Follow the rules! If a sweep is restricted to only females, a certain age group, certain states, etc, make sure you fit the criteria! If you don't, move on to another sweep that you do qualify for. Do not create a bunch of email addresses so you can enter something more than once, or so you can play an Instant win game more. The Sponsors can tell, and will DQ you. You're better off playing by the rules than cheating and getting disqualified and having NO entries.

Don't immediately dismiss essay required sweeps (or recipes, photos, etc)....well, unless you know you don't want to write something. A lot of people pass on them, so you might have a better shot at winning something.

Don't expect this to be lucrative enough to become a job. Yes, a lot of us win, and often, but not nearly enough to quit a job!

Expect things to go slow at first. It takes a while for the wins to roll in. But once they do...look out!

Expect to occasionally hit a dry spell. It happens to ALL of us.

DEFINITELY USE YOUR REAL INFO! If you use a fake phone number, and a sponsor is calling to notify people of wins, you'll never know what you missed out on. I, and many others, have been doing this for a long time, and we have no problems with sales calls. Also, use your real name. If your name is Robert or Catherine, using Bob or Cathy is ok, as they are known acceptable shorter versions of that name. if your name is Matilda, and you go by Fluffy, don't use Fluffy. Looking at your ID to get an affy notarized, they may reject it because the names don't match. The sponsor may also say "Fluffy won, not Matilda". So stick with using your real name, or something close to it.

Most of all, HAVE FUN! And don't be afraid to ask questions. We were all new to this at one time. Any one of us would be happy to answer questions.


For easy form filling, check out Roboform [roboform.com]. Google Tool bar and the autofill feature on IE also work well.

For Mac users, the best form filler is 1Password: http://agilewebsolutions.com/products/1Password (thanks javaFlower!)

FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/...ll&cat=all

To set up the autofill feature in IE: Click on Tools, then internet options, then choose 'content'. When that pops up, click on "Autocomplete", and make sure to check the boxes for forms and passwords on forms. This is not a good idea if you are on a shared/public computer!

February 17, 2009, 3:10 am: System Notice: This thread has been automatically renewed after reaching a post limit. Most of its content has been moved to this thread for reference purposes.

July 12, 2010, 3:23 pm: System Notice: This thread has been automatically renewed after reaching a post limit. Most of its content has been moved to this thread for reference purposes.
Good Deal?

Community Wiki

Last Edited by JD123 November 1, 2014 at 11:13 AM
Before we had this thread, limpstar posted this site for info on sweeps & taxes in the I Won Thread:
All About Sweepstakes Taxes
http://contests.about.com/od/taxe...gtaxes.htm

Also consider talking to your tax preparer and/or researching further into your tax responsibility.


I have found this page helpful in understanding some of sweep's law - a sweeps law co.'s site:
The Lustigman Firm; Attorneys at Law
http://www.sweepstakeslaw.com/
The Lustigman Firm provides experienced legal counsel that helps protect the business interests
of its advertising and promotional clients around the United States and Canada

What does " age of majority in your state or province " mean?

(sometimes abbreviated as AoM+ )

it's the legal age of that state or province...

The Age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as it is conceptualized in law. It is the chronological moment when children legally assume majority control over their persons and their actions and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of their parents over and for them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_majority

there's a list by country and by US State there....

For most purposes, the age of majority in the U.S. is 18,
except for 2 states with the age of 19 (Nebraska,Alabama)
and one state with the age of 21 (Mississippi)
and two (American Samoa and Puerto Rico) that retain 14 as the age of majority.
Occasionally PA is listed under the 19+ or 21+

~javaFlower

Regarding missing prizes
If you were expecting a prize you've never received you can complain 1st to the sweepstakes administrator, then to the sweepstakes sponsor and finally to USPS Postal Inspectors

https://postalinspectors.uspis.go...laint.aspx

-Kotik


ePrize Contacts
[email protected] - Bob Marsh, Senior Vice President, Midwest Region, Phone: 248.543.7522
[email protected] - Darlene Morris, Business Manager, Phone: 248.543.7403
[email protected] - Alesya Opelt, Vice President, Marketing, Phone: 248.543.7440


Occasionally a....less than ethical sweep will get posted.
You might end up finding unauthorized charges on your phone bill. Unauthorized charges on the phone bill are what's called "Cramming". Once you contact the company that's charging you, and you have requested your phone company remove the charge, if you so choose, you can file a complaint with the FCC.

FCC Online complaint form: esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

You can also file your complaint with the FCC's Consumer Center by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY

You can fax your complaint to 1-866-418-0232

Or by snail mail:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554.

I also recommend a 3rd party block on your line to prohibit this from happening. 3rd party blocks don't affect your phone in any way, except by not allowing some company outside of your local phone company from adding charges to your bill.


Slickdealers on Twitter
(I don't really know where is best to start this list, but I decided to just start it here. If anyone thinks we should move it somewhere else, please do so.)

SD name Twitter name
kdka421 k8fenner
Starbelly Lunachique
dodgers77449 michael0902
sanaperv @slicksweepberry
blueeyeleo  
Slickdealers on Facebook
(Hopefully, it is allowed to post this here. If anyone thinks this link should be deleted, please do so.)
You can find the facebook slickdeals sweepers in this group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/310504039006252/

Track incoming packages
UPS
http://www.ups.com/mychoice/
FedEx https://www.fedex.com/login/web/j...n.jsp?TYPE
USPS https://www.usps.com/manage/manage-your-mail.htm




This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.

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This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.

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Joined May 2012
L4: Apprentice
> bubble2 354 Posts
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jbrr1212
02-13-2013 at 12:56 PM.
02-13-2013 at 12:56 PM.
As far as i know fedex doesnt have anything to notify you, though they did call my sil last weekend to let her know she had a package coming on Monday (a surprise dvd win). They've never called me though.
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Joined Dec 2010
L3: Novice
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dspringfield
02-13-2013 at 07:35 PM.
02-13-2013 at 07:35 PM.
Quote from jbrr1212 :
As far as i know fedex doesnt have anything to notify you, though they did call my sil last weekend to let her know she had a package coming on Monday (a surprise dvd win). They've never called me though.
FedEx Home Delivery will call if they have a delivery that requires a signature.
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Joined May 2006
Keeper of the Trophy
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implode
02-14-2013 at 11:46 AM.
02-14-2013 at 11:46 AM.
Any idea why Good Housekeeping would need to verify my shipping info twice on a win--when I provided my info on the initial entry form? Each of last two notices says reply by or be disqualified. It is becoming less of a joy to win, and more like hey we will keep asking until we can DQ your win. If that is the case, why offer the contest in the first place?
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Joined Oct 2008
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Sweepaholic
02-14-2013 at 12:09 PM.
02-14-2013 at 12:09 PM.
Quote from implode :
Any idea why Good Housekeeping would need to verify my shipping info twice on a win--when I provided my info on the initial entry form? Each of last two notices says reply by or be disqualified. It is becoming less of a joy to win, and more like hey we will keep asking until we can DQ your win. If that is the case, why offer the contest in the first place?
I had a few companies do that before, they said it was to verify I still lived at that address and have not moved since I filled the form out to make sure the prize got to me.
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Joined May 2006
Keeper of the Trophy
> bubble2 116,806 Posts
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implode
02-14-2013 at 12:10 PM.
02-14-2013 at 12:10 PM.
Quote from Sweepaholic :
I had a few companies do that before, they said it was to verify I still lived at that address and have not moved since I filled the form out to make sure the prize got to me.
Well I recieved winning notice one month after contest expired, filled out info...3-4 weeks pass they ask me again...shake head
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Joined Jan 2010
Im kind of a BIG deal.
> bubble2 960 Posts
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GoogleMeBih
02-14-2013 at 02:07 PM.
02-14-2013 at 02:07 PM.
last time i checked we could do trades with a value no more than $5... so why did my question disappear along with my shared win
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Joined May 2006
Keeper of the Trophy
> bubble2 116,806 Posts
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implode
02-14-2013 at 06:20 PM.
02-14-2013 at 06:20 PM.
Quote from ImaRudeBoy :
last time i checked we could do trades with a value no more than $5... so why did my question disappear along with my shared win
Because you were trading in the wrong area of the site, and it appeared you had fraudulent papa johns codes (it was limited to one code per person). Better suited to sell them on eBay or Craigslist.
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Joined Jan 2010
Im kind of a BIG deal.
> bubble2 960 Posts
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GoogleMeBih
02-14-2013 at 07:05 PM.
02-14-2013 at 07:05 PM.
Quote from implode :
Because you were trading in the wrong area of the site, and it appeared you had fraudulent papa johns codes (it was limited to one code per person). Better suited to sell them on eBay or Craigslist.
Well I did play for the whole family and perhaps even every pet. Very aside the point really I could have very well acquired them from one of near hundred sweeps buddies I have.. i actually was offered a few but I turned them down. Smilie either way this place is known as slick deals I would have really thought 60% off pizza would be favorable!

Thank you for a response though- could you point me in the right direction? I'll trade them at $4 amazon a piece? Seems like a good deal and honestly it will buy my a months worth of toilet paper or diapers from amazon..
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Joined Oct 2008
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Sweepaholic
02-14-2013 at 07:18 PM.
02-14-2013 at 07:18 PM.
Quote from ImaRudeBoy :
Well I did play for the whole family and perhaps even every pet. Very aside the point really I could have very well acquired them from one of near hundred sweeps buddies I have.. i actually was offered a few but I turned them down. Smilie either way this place is known as slick deals I would have really thought 60% off pizza would be favorable!

Thank you for a response though- could you point me in the right direction? I'll trade them at $4 amazon a piece? Seems like a good deal and honestly it will buy my a months worth of toilet paper or diapers from amazon..
You are very brave to admit you play for your pets in the C&S forum laugh out loud
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Joined Jan 2010
Im kind of a BIG deal.
> bubble2 960 Posts
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GoogleMeBih
02-14-2013 at 07:52 PM.
02-14-2013 at 07:52 PM.
Quote from Sweepaholic :
You are very brave to admit you play for your pets in the C&S forum laugh out loud
They like pizza too. Smilie

Im not going to lie, i typically dont cheat. Something like this sure will! I dont have a 13 yr old son, but when there is a lunchable or cartoon network sweep- i suddenly have a 13 yr old son. Otherwise im a straight shooter. I don't have time to care who hates me. I'm a real person with real problems. Guess what now I got real pizza who wants some lmao.

Seriously though.. I'm taking care of family here. A lot of misfortune both financially and health wise for my siblings last year(18/26).. I have a full plate(not pizza reference)
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Joined Jan 2013
L1: Learner
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a3005
02-14-2013 at 08:52 PM.
02-14-2013 at 08:52 PM.
Hi, newbie here. I would like to know which is the best place to look for blog giveaways. Are they listed heron SD? I see a lot of ppl speaking about small blog giveaways and higher chances of winning, unable to figure out where.
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Last edited by a3005 February 14, 2013 at 08:55 PM.
Joined Sep 2008
L4: Apprentice
> bubble2 488 Posts
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CoachSauers
02-14-2013 at 08:55 PM.
02-14-2013 at 08:55 PM.
Quote from ImaRudeBoy :
Im not going to lie, i typically dont cheat. Something like this sure will! I dont have a 13 yr old son, but when there is a lunchable or cartoon network sweep- i suddenly have a 13 yr old son. Otherwise im a straight shooter. I don't have time to care who hates me. I'm a real person with real problems. Guess what now I got real pizza who wants some lmao.
"I'm not going to lie, I'm a liar."
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Joined Sep 2006
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 6,320 Posts
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KMA
02-14-2013 at 10:32 PM.
02-14-2013 at 10:32 PM.
Quote from a3005 :
Hi, newbie here. I would like to know which is the best place to look for blog giveaways. Are they listed heron SD? I see a lot of ppl speaking about small blog giveaways and higher chances of winning, unable to figure out where.
No, they aren't listed here - you have to find them, yourself. I subscribe to lots of blogs, so I usually search through them for sweeps. There are various ways to find them: google and twitter searches are just a couple.
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Joined Jan 2010
Im kind of a BIG deal.
> bubble2 960 Posts
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GoogleMeBih
02-15-2013 at 12:34 AM.
02-15-2013 at 12:34 AM.
Quote from cheba63 :
"I'm not going to lie, I'm a liar."
Lol. Its a good thing you're a member here. Your contribution of tips and advice sure would be missed.
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Joined Jan 2013
L1: Learner
> bubble2 19 Posts
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a3005
02-15-2013 at 01:08 AM.
02-15-2013 at 01:08 AM.
Quote from KMA :
No, they aren't listed here - you have to find them, yourself. I subscribe to lots of blogs, so I usually search through them for sweeps. There are various ways to find them: google and twitter searches are just a couple.
Thank you!
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