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forum threadFreebiesRGreat posted Jun 03, 2008 02:50 AM
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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Aug 09, 2012 02:17 AM
945 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
sixthr33Aug 09, 2012 02:17 AM
945 Posts
Thanks so much for answering me. I just wasn't sure what was going on with them. Smilie


Quote from MLx3 :
The majority of the affys I've received have been through email, which were downloaded, printed, signed/notarized, scanned, then returned via email. This seems to be a pretty standard way of handling affys. I've rec'd a couple via Fedex Overnight, and they came with a return mailing Fedex envelope.

I have been contacted by both the sponsor & prize fulfillment company/administrator. Don't think I've been contacted by 2 different fulfillment companies for one sweeps though.

Personally, I haven't been asked to provide a photo of me using the prize, but don't think it's unheard of for a sponsor to make the request, particularly if the sweeps was promoted on Facebook or another social media site.
Aug 09, 2012 02:25 AM
200 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
wc0904Aug 09, 2012 02:25 AM
200 Posts
Quote from sixthr33 :
Hello all. I have a question about a recent sweeps since I'm new to this. Would the company ask me to print the affidavit and tax thing and scan and e-mail it? (they did) Also I was contacted by 2 different sponsors or fulfillment companies. Finally they asked for a photo of me using the product. Does any of this seem weird? Thanks for any help
I've been asked for a photo before, but it wasn't required. I think a lot of companies just use that for extra PR or for winner announcements. The email thing is pretty standard. Sounds like they're a bit unorganized but nothing sounds too crazy!
Aug 09, 2012 02:38 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Aug 09, 2012 02:38 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from sixthr33 :
Thanks so much for answering me. I just wasn't sure what was going on with them. Smilie
You're welcome. Everything sounds "normal", if not a bit disorganized, which is fairly normal too. LOL!
Be sure to come back & tell us all about your win once everything is set!
Aug 09, 2012 07:01 AM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangAug 09, 2012 07:01 AM
1,844 Posts
I've been asked for a photo twice. One was me accepting a prize at a local store and one was me with another prize I won. Both sweepstakes were promoted on FB.
Aug 09, 2012 03:28 PM
318 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
bittripfanAug 09, 2012 03:28 PM
318 Posts
I was checking my mail today and In my mail I had a pretty think envelop from publishers house clearing. It had something to do with entering the $5,000 a week for life contest. Any way it had a scratch card in it. I decided why not and scratched off the boxes. Well I ended up getting 3 matching boxes in a pretty nice amount of money. The card saids "house of cash" on the top and giveaway #2183 . It came from port washington, ny. Any chance this is legit?
Aug 09, 2012 03:42 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeAug 09, 2012 03:42 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from bittripfan :
I was checking my mail today and In my mail I had a pretty think envelop from publishers house clearing. It had something to do with entering the $5,000 a week for life contest. Any way it had a scratch card in it. I decided why not and scratched off the boxes. Well I ended up getting 3 matching boxes in a pretty nice amount of money. The card saids "house of cash" on the top and giveaway #2183 . It came from port washington, ny. Any chance this is legit?
Those things are usually VERY VERY misleading, I don't know for sure--but I have seen similar promotions in the past that I would rate as less then honest. Reading the small print usually reveals it isn't legit (really a win).
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QA
Aug 09, 2012 06:00 PM
3,567 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
rachaelm
Pro
QA
Aug 09, 2012 06:00 PM
3,567 Posts
Quote from bittripfan :
I was checking my mail today and In my mail I had a pretty think envelop from publishers house clearing. It had something to do with entering the $5,000 a week for life contest. Any way it had a scratch card in it. I decided why not and scratched off the boxes. Well I ended up getting 3 matching boxes in a pretty nice amount of money. The card saids "house of cash" on the top and giveaway #2183 . It came from port washington, ny. Any chance this is legit?
Quote from implode :
Those things are usually VERY VERY misleading, I don't know for sure--but I have seen similar promotions in the past that I would rate as less then honest. Reading the small print usually reveals it isn't legit (really a win).
I did a quick search about this and this is what I found:
Quote :
The prizes listed on that scratch card are the prize you would win should your entry be chosen as the winner. Matching three symbols for a prize amount does not guarantee your winning, it only shows that amount you would win if your entry is chosen to be the winner of that sweepstakes giveaway. Simply follow the instraction on the card to submit your entry.

Our mailings are opportunities for a chance to win, and provide clear information that the recipient has not yet won any prize, must enter by the deadline, and must be chosen to win. In order to win an entry must be selected by random drawing or match the winning number selected. Please remember that while we receive entries from all across the land only one individual can actually win each giveaway.

To determine which draws you are entering, when their end dates are and what your odds of winning are, please review the "Sweepstakes Facts" pamphlet that came with your entry. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

If we can be of further assistance, please contact us toll-free at 1-800-645-9242. Our Customer Care Representatives are available to assist you Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM Eastern Time.

You may also visit the Info Center on our website at www.pch.com where you will find helpful answers for many of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Source(s):

Employee of PCH
So sorry, doesn't look like a win.

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Aug 09, 2012 08:56 PM
318 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
bittripfanAug 09, 2012 08:56 PM
318 Posts
Quote from rachaelm :
I did a quick search about this and this is what I found:


So sorry, doesn't look like a win.
Thanks for your help. I bet all the cards are the same. It's a shame they don't make it more clear that it's a prize you could win. One day I will get a big cash win for real! (My card had 3 $5,000)
Aug 11, 2012 05:57 PM
8,186 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
SweepToWinAug 11, 2012 05:57 PM
8,186 Posts
Just wanted to give a BIG heart THANK YOU heart to all of those who post contests and sweepstakes AND help with any questions or concerns. It is very much appreciated. I will most certainly contribute if I ever find a contest that hasn't already been posted!
Aug 14, 2012 04:52 AM
1,358 Posts
Joined May 2006
kaykatzAug 14, 2012 04:52 AM
1,358 Posts
I won a prize I can't use. It's a $10 GC to a store not in my state. What should I do?
Aug 14, 2012 02:05 PM
248 Posts
Joined Apr 2008
theviper21Aug 14, 2012 02:05 PM
248 Posts
Quote from kaykatz :
I won a prize I can't use. It's a $10 GC to a store not in my state. What should I do?
I would either try to eBay it or trade it. There are several sites like SA that do prize trading.

Of course, you could also just give it away here and I'm sure plenty of good karma would come your way Smilie
Aug 14, 2012 02:14 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeAug 14, 2012 02:14 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from kaykatz :
I won a prize I can't use. It's a $10 GC to a store not in my state. What should I do?
Give it away to someone here who can use it (no not me). Even if you have to pay postage, its totally worth making someones day.
Aug 14, 2012 03:26 PM
1,358 Posts
Joined May 2006
kaykatzAug 14, 2012 03:26 PM
1,358 Posts
Quote from kaykatz :
I won a prize I can't use. It's a $10 GC to a store not in my state. What should I do?
___________________

Thanks, everyone for the advice!
Aug 14, 2012 04:04 PM
14,856 Posts
Joined Jan 2012
princess101Aug 14, 2012 04:04 PM
14,856 Posts
Has anyone won a contest, and received the prize, but then a couple weeks later, received a check from the company. The check was not one of the prizes

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Aug 14, 2012 06:31 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeAug 14, 2012 06:31 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from princess101 :
Has anyone won a contest, and received the prize, but then a couple weeks later, received a check from the company. The check was not one of the prizes
That sounds very odd...hope they aren't trying to discover bank info from a cashed check.

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