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forum threadFreebiesRGreat posted Jun 03, 2008 02:50 AM
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forum threadFreebiesRGreat posted Jun 03, 2008 02:50 AM

Contests & Sweepstakes Tips, Advice, and Questions

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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.
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
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.

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Jul 12, 2012 04:12 PM
1,018 Posts
Joined Oct 2011
carriec1132Jul 12, 2012 04:12 PM
1,018 Posts
Quote from implode :
I have a debit card myself, and the rules for use highly suggest not using it for anything with hold charges. Gas, Restaurants, and hotels place a hold on the money in excess of the amount of the cost of the charge. I'm told money is held from you for a long period of time, and if a mistake occurs its a lot harder to get it refunded (then that of using a normal credit card). I'm also told certain banks won't let holds exist in the first place since debit card isn't a form of actual credit.
I know youve won trips before and just got back from one. did you use your guests credit card? is that an option or does it have to be a credit card w winners name on it?
Jul 12, 2012 04:14 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJul 12, 2012 04:14 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from carriec1132 :
I know youve won trips before and just got back from one. did you use your guests credit card? is that an option or does it have to be a credit card w winners name on it?
Hotel has no issue who's card it is, as long as its a party who is authorized to use the card.
Jul 12, 2012 08:33 PM
717 Posts
Joined Jan 2007
gocartromanceJul 12, 2012 08:33 PM
717 Posts
Quote from carriec1132 :
Thanks everyone for the clarifications.

Im a possible winner in diet coke and 7-11 txt to win game. They gave away 30 trips to ny w fray concert tix. This is my first trip win. I wont need the airfare since i live a state away (less than 200 miles). So its just hotel and concert tix. The hotel requires a credit card for incidentals. Can i use a debit/prepaid card or does it have to be a credit card? I dont have a credit card but my parents would either let me use theirs or add me to their acct.

The trip is for 2 people. Im hoping my husband can go but my big question is can we bring our kids w us? We would have to see if hotel has babysitting service for them for concert. Just wondering if anyone has done this? Would be nice to all get away but the kids dont necessarially have to go.
I don't know about your second question but I use a debit card for incidentals at hotels all the time. I have been lucky that I've never had the money held in those cases and the one time it might have been, the hotel actually told me they weren't going to run my card through strictly because it was debit and I would be charged if they did [it was not a chain hotel so I'm thinking maybe their systems were different than the name brands where it's not an issue for me? Either way, it was very nice of them and they didn't have to do that so you can always ask them about it before handing over the card!] However, it is certainly a possibility depending on the establishment so make sure you have a few hundred bucks in your account that's linked to the debit card to cover it just in case. Debit cards that are branded with Visa or Mastercard logos are safer now than they were in the past and when money of mine *is* held in situations, the holds are lifted and funds automatically released in 3 business days or less. One time at a ski rental shop, I was actually CHARGED for incidentals instead of it simply being held, so I contacted them immediately and they refunded it right away so definitely make sure you check your account after your trip!

If you know the hotel you're staying at, perhaps give them a call or shoot them an email and ask about their policies regarding using debit cards. And then check with your bank to ask how long they keep holds on debit cards. Actually, if you contact the hotel for the card, you might as well ask them about the kids too since that's really on a hotel-by-hotel basis as to how many people are allowed in a room.
Last edited by gocartromance July 12, 2012 at 01:36 PM.
Jul 13, 2012 05:17 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJul 13, 2012 05:17 PM
118,455 Posts
Anyone else having Prents Mag sweeps messing up....captcha code won't work.
Jul 15, 2012 12:54 AM
264 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
DCFreebiesJul 15, 2012 12:54 AM
264 Posts
Sorry for the newb question, but...

I just started entering these contests/sweepstakes about a month ago through slick deals.

I just received a text message which says I won a 500 dollar target gift card, and I should click on a link.

How do I know if it's spam/virus or legit?
Jul 15, 2012 01:06 AM
2,985 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
lusesitaJul 15, 2012 01:06 AM
2,985 Posts
Quote from DCFreebies :
Sorry for the newb question, but...

I just started entering these contests/sweepstakes about a month ago through slick deals.

I just received a text message which says I won a 500 dollar target gift card, and I should click on a link.

How do I know if it's spam/virus or legit?
Google the phone number Smilie and if it does not come up google the link it sends you to , google what message says
Jul 15, 2012 02:43 AM
1,927 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
pitt23fanJul 15, 2012 02:43 AM
1,927 Posts
Quote from DCFreebies :
Sorry for the newb question, but...

I just started entering these contests/sweepstakes about a month ago through slick deals.

I just received a text message which says I won a 500 dollar target gift card, and I should click on a link.

How do I know if it's spam/virus or legit?
Delete it...it is a link that ends up billing your cell phone like $9.99 a month.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jul 15, 2012 03:48 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJul 15, 2012 03:48 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from DCFreebies :
Sorry for the newb question, but...

I just started entering these contests/sweepstakes about a month ago through slick deals.

I just received a text message which says I won a 500 dollar target gift card, and I should click on a link.

How do I know if it's spam/virus or legit?
This is definitely a scam...oh, another thing--I would avoid giving out your cell phone number.
Jul 15, 2012 03:55 AM
264 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
DCFreebiesJul 15, 2012 03:55 AM
264 Posts
Quote from implode :
This is definitely a scam...oh, another thing--I would avoid giving out your cell phone number.
Thanks. Yeah, I googled the phone number, nothing came up, but the link did come up with some scammy results.

Strangely, I don't give out my cellphone number. I give out a google voice number for all of these things. I'm pretty surprised this was able to get to me.
Jul 15, 2012 06:02 AM
14,856 Posts
Joined Jan 2012
princess101Jul 15, 2012 06:02 AM
14,856 Posts
some contests ask for cell number. Don't you have to give it to enter the contest
Pro
QA
Jul 15, 2012 03:04 PM
3,567 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
rachaelm
Pro
QA
Jul 15, 2012 03:04 PM
3,567 Posts
Quote from DCFreebies :
Thanks. Yeah, I googled the phone number, nothing came up, but the link did come up with some scammy results.

Strangely, I don't give out my cellphone number. I give out a google voice number for all of these things. I'm pretty surprised this was able to get to me.
Sorry for the scam, but they use random dialers to send these out, they're just plugging in random numbers & hoping someone bites.
Jul 15, 2012 04:54 PM
200 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
wc0904Jul 15, 2012 04:54 PM
200 Posts
Quote from DCFreebies :
Thanks. Yeah, I googled the phone number, nothing came up, but the link did come up with some scammy results.

Strangely, I don't give out my cellphone number. I give out a google voice number for all of these things. I'm pretty surprised this was able to get to me.
Yeah this has nothing to do with sweeping as a PP said. It's all random number generators just getting a hit on a valid number. My sister doesn't give her number out to anything and she gets them and so do I and usually at nearly the same time because our numbers are only one digit apart.
Jul 15, 2012 08:33 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJul 15, 2012 08:33 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from princess101 :
some contests ask for cell number. Don't you have to give it to enter the contest
I would just list my home number or none at all on those that do...too many auto billing scams on cell phones. I don't to messaging contests at all (probably missing out). Then again I don't want to wrack up messaging charges.

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Jul 16, 2012 07:31 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJul 16, 2012 07:31 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from ellory :
Has anyone here won these ongoing contests or know if they are legitimate?

http://contest.pazsaz.com/
http://winit.intouchweekly.com/itw/all/1
http://www.gastroweekly.com/win_sweepstakes.php
http://www.zoomxs.info/win_sweeps...prizes.php
http://steamykitchen.com/category/giveaways
http://simplygluten-free.com/giveaways/
http://www.winasweep.com/sweeps.htm
http://thecelebritycafe.com/conte...ntest.html
http://www.decogalore.com/win_pri...stakes.php
http://winit.womansworldmag.com/ww
http://www.urbansherp.com/sweepstakes
http://www.pasturesofopportunity.com/sweepstakes
http://www.starpulse.com/Contests/
http://leitesculinaria.com/category/giveaways
Of those sites I have won 2:
leites culinaria (in 2010)
celebrity cafe (in 2009)

I think the following are outright scams:
Pastures
DecoGalore
Gastro
GluttenFee
WinaSweep
SteamyKitchen
UrbanSherp
ZoomX

I think Starpulse and Pazsaz may or may not be legit based on the wins of other people. Intouch and Womansworld also fall into this category.
Last edited by implode July 16, 2012 at 01:24 PM.

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