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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

Sears
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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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Mar 10, 2013 05:45 AM
1,122 Posts
Joined Aug 2010
DreOranMar 10, 2013 05:45 AM
1,122 Posts
Quote from KMA :
What's the average price you pay for a notary? My mother was a notary for many years and now in her 80s she's no longer one - she misunderstood something and cancelled her insurance/didn't renew her license (got the info second-hand from my dad, so I'm not sure). Never had to pay for one before until now. Wanting to know if I overpaid or underpaid or got a good deal. Thanks.
My town hall and my bank (w/ account) offer it for free.
Mar 10, 2013 02:43 PM
732 Posts
Joined Nov 2008
elangomattMar 10, 2013 02:43 PM
732 Posts
Quote from KMA :
What's the average price you pay for a notary? My mother was a notary for many years and now in her 80s she's no longer one - she misunderstood something and cancelled her insurance/didn't renew her license (got the info second-hand from my dad, so I'm not sure). Never had to pay for one before until now. Wanting to know if I overpaid or underpaid or got a good deal. Thanks.
I've never paid for a notary either. My bank does it for free as well but the easiest notary for me is to just go down to the HR department at work where there is a notary. If you are familiar with them, ask around the accounting/HR department where you work and you might find someone. Sadly, I haven't had to visit her for any signatures for quite a while.
Mar 10, 2013 02:48 PM
717 Posts
Joined Jan 2007
gocartromanceMar 10, 2013 02:48 PM
717 Posts
Quote from KMA :
What's the average price you pay for a notary? My mother was a notary for many years and now in her 80s she's no longer one - she misunderstood something and cancelled her insurance/didn't renew her license (got the info second-hand from my dad, so I'm not sure). Never had to pay for one before until now. Wanting to know if I overpaid or underpaid or got a good deal. Thanks.
It varies from state to state. In NY the maximum a notary is allowed to charge is $2. But, as others have said, any decent bank you have an account with should do it for free. I've also gotten it done for free from a bank that wasn't mine but I don't know if they still do it for non-account holders [it was TD Bank]. I always call before I go to any bank, though, because there have been a few times where I was told the notary/ies were unavailable/out that day.
Mar 10, 2013 06:02 PM
54 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
MsScarlettMar 10, 2013 06:02 PM
54 Posts
Quote from KMA :
What's the average price you pay for a notary? My mother was a notary for many years and now in her 80s she's no longer one - she misunderstood something and cancelled her insurance/didn't renew her license (got the info second-hand from my dad, so I'm not sure). Never had to pay for one before until now. Wanting to know if I overpaid or underpaid or got a good deal. Thanks.
I get it done at the UPS Store for free... not sure if it is just free because we have a mail box there or not, but that is another place to check out if your bank won't do it.
Mar 11, 2013 03:56 AM
271 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
dspringfieldMar 11, 2013 03:56 AM
271 Posts
Quote from MsScarlett :
I get it done at the UPS Store for free... not sure if it is just free because we have a mail box there or not, but that is another place to check out if your bank won't do it.
My coworker is a notary. I buy her lunch once in a while in exchange for her services.
Mar 11, 2013 08:48 AM
2 Posts
Joined Mar 2013
ericabagMar 11, 2013 08:48 AM
2 Posts
i noticed many people discussing hotmail changing to outlook. there have been many complaints about missing email. i strongly advise using a program to access your email that downloads email onto your computer...or find out how to use the backup function in hotmail. i use incredimail which keeps a permanent copy on my computer. there are other programs out there as well. regular computer backup does not make you copies of your email. If you are not sure if your email program/client saves to computer...dont assume it does. go offline and try to access your email.
Mar 11, 2013 02:25 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangMar 11, 2013 02:25 PM
1,844 Posts
Just wanted to check on something:

I received an email that went into my spam email from "[email protected]" saying I'm a potential winner and to go to a website within 7 days to redeem my prize.

I know I'm entering a "DO US A FLAVOR" sweepstakes but I'm still slightly unsure. My winning emails almost never go straight to my spam and I have to click a link to redeem.

Just wanted to make sure this was a legit email. I guess it could be a spoof even if it looks okay.

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Mar 11, 2013 05:01 PM
218 Posts
Joined Feb 2013
rich_65Mar 11, 2013 05:01 PM
218 Posts
Quote from Jang :
Just wanted to check on something:

I received an email that went into my spam email from "[email protected]" saying I'm a potential winner and to go to a website within 7 days to redeem my prize.

I know I'm entering a "DO US A FLAVOR" sweepstakes but I'm still slightly unsure. My winning emails almost never go straight to my spam and I have to click a link to redeem.

Just wanted to make sure this was a legit email. I guess it could be a spoof even if it looks okay.
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=48970256&postcount=418

Looks like they handled the free Free Stella Artois Chalice Glass Giveaway
Mar 11, 2013 05:08 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangMar 11, 2013 05:08 PM
1,844 Posts
Quote from rich_65 :
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showpost.php?p=48970256&postcount=418

Looks like they handled the free Free Stella Artois Chalice Glass Giveaway
Thanks. Big Grin I was 99% sure it was okay...thanks for verifying.
Mar 11, 2013 05:12 PM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAMar 11, 2013 05:12 PM
6,323 Posts
Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions on where to get free/cheap notaries. I AM the HR department (as well as the janitorial service, secretarial pool, etc. Stick Out Tongue), so that's out. I drop off my packages at a small place that handles UPS/FedEx - I'll have to ask if they notarize. Love the idea of my bank, so will see about that, too. I am in LA where (according to google search) we have no cap on what a notary can charge. I have had to notarize only 2 affidavits since I started religiously entering sweeps in November; the first was done free by a girl at my dad's former office (he's retired from there and I don't feel comfortable running there each time I win) and the second cost me $22 at a tax service.
Mar 11, 2013 05:15 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangMar 11, 2013 05:15 PM
1,844 Posts
Quote from KMA :
Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions on where to get free/cheap notaries. I AM the HR department (as well as the janitorial service, secretarial pool, etc. Stick Out Tongue), so that's out. I drop off my packages at a small place that handles UPS/FedEx - I'll have to ask if they notarize. Love the idea of my bank, so will see about that, too. I am in LA where (according to google search) we have no cap on what a notary can charge. I have had to notarize only 2 affidavits since I started religiously entering sweeps in November; the first was done free by a girl at my dad's former office (he's retired from there and I don't feel comfortable running there each time I win) and the second cost me $22 at a tax service.

Yea, I was going to go to UPS the first time I had to get something notarized and my mom said "You know, the Civic Center (Town hall area) will do it for a couple of dollars and your bank will do it for free, right?"
Mar 11, 2013 06:01 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeMar 11, 2013 06:01 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from KMA :
Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions on where to get free/cheap notaries. I AM the HR department (as well as the janitorial service, secretarial pool, etc. Stick Out Tongue), so that's out. I drop off my packages at a small place that handles UPS/FedEx - I'll have to ask if they notarize. Love the idea of my bank, so will see about that, too. I am in LA where (according to google search) we have no cap on what a notary can charge. I have had to notarize only 2 affidavits since I started religiously entering sweeps in November; the first was done free by a girl at my dad's former office (he's retired from there and I don't feel comfortable running there each time I win) and the second cost me $22 at a tax service.
$22 bucks??? Wow, think you got taken. hug My condolences. My bank does it for free. The bank down the street from my house charges a couple bucks. Only reason I used them was a huge winter storm hit when I won my superbowl trip a few years ago. Mom had to sign paperwork also so she could go with me. I just can't imagine paying that much.
Mar 12, 2013 01:29 AM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAMar 12, 2013 01:29 AM
6,323 Posts
If you entered this Pinterest sweeps http://slickdeals.net/f/5811204-Garden-Debut-New-Year-New-Plants-Pin-It-to-Win-It-1-31-13, don't forget to check to see if you're a winner - they don't email you. http://pinterest.com/gardendebut/...-it-sweep/
Mar 12, 2013 01:36 AM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangMar 12, 2013 01:36 AM
1,844 Posts
Quote from KMA :
If you entered this Pinterest sweeps http://slickdeals.net/f/5811204-Garden-Debut-New-Year-New-Plants-Pin-It-to-Win-It-1-31-13?v=1, don't forget to check to see if you're a winner - they don't email you. http://pinterest.com/gardendebut/...-it-sweep/
Not a winner. Thanks for the heads up though.

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Mar 12, 2013 01:54 AM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAMar 12, 2013 01:54 AM
6,323 Posts
Quote from Jang :
Not a winner. Thanks for the heads up though.
I'm just now going back over Pinterest sweeps to see how they contact you. I thought they'd email me, but that's not always the case. I won something in August, but never found out until last month when I was entering another sweeps by the same company and re-pinning from their board. That's where I saw my name! Amazingly, they honored it and sent my prize even though I contacted them more than 25 weeks later. I'm going to start paying closer attention to the rules for Pinterest and maybe adding that to the wiki when there's no form to fill out. I think we all should start noting that and bookmarking the entry pin (when we have to submit our links to it), to check back later.

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