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Last Edited by BostonGirl March 8, 2015 at 07:18 AM
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://agilewebsolutio ns.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.
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://agilewebsolutio
FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.
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.
About the OP
Community Wiki
Last Edited by zozz
June 10, 2024
at
01:16 PM
Here's a link to some information about sweeps and taxes:
http://contests.about. com/od/taxe...gtaxes.h tm
Consider talking to your tax preparer and researching about your tax responsibility.
This sweeps law firm site may be helpful in understanding sweeps law:
http://www.sweepstakes law.com/
What does "age of majority (sometimes abbreviated as AoM+) in your state or province" mean?
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.or g/wiki/Age_of_majority
In most U.S. states, the age of majority is 18, except for Nebraska and Alabama (19), and Mississippi (21). The age of majority in American Samoa and Puerto Rico is 14.
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
Missing prizes
If you were expecting a prize you've never received, you can complain first to the sweepstakes administrator, then to the sweepstakes sponsor, and finally to USPS Postal Inspectors
https://postalinspector s.uspis.go...la int.aspx
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. This is called "cramming". Once you contact the company that's charging you, and you have requested your phone company remove the charge, you can file a complaint with the FCC.
FCC Online complaint form: esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
Email: [email protected]
Call: 1-888-225-5322
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
Fax: 1-866-418-0232
Snail mail:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
http://contests.about.
Consider talking to your tax preparer and researching about your tax responsibility.
This sweeps law firm site may be helpful in understanding sweeps law:
http://www.sweepstakes
What does "age of majority (sometimes abbreviated as AoM+) in your state or province" mean?
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.or
In most U.S. states, the age of majority is 18, except for Nebraska and Alabama (19), and Mississippi (21). The age of majority in American Samoa and Puerto Rico is 14.
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
Missing prizes
If you were expecting a prize you've never received, you can complain first to the sweepstakes administrator, then to the sweepstakes sponsor, and finally to USPS Postal Inspectors
https://postalinspector
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. This is called "cramming". Once you contact the company that's charging you, and you have requested your phone company remove the charge, you can file a complaint with the FCC.
FCC Online complaint form: esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm
Email: [email protected]
Call: 1-888-225-5322
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
Fax: 1-866-418-0232
Snail mail:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
9,696 Comments
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You (and your parents) need to decide if the company is legitimate and if the prize is worth risking giving your SSN to.
(Teen Vogue is published by a what is considered a reputable company, I would think.)
I seem to recall that some guidance has been posted in this thread already.
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I seem to recall that some guidance has been posted in this thread already.
I started into the sweepstakes/instant win game thing a few weeks ago. I probably do about 200-300 contests a day in my spare time around work and the kids. I know it will be several months or even more before I see a big one (if I even see one at all.)
My main question is about IWG's. When do most of you play them? I have heard that you should play at like 2-3 AM if you want any chance of winning, but that is just not something I can do everyday. Is it possible to win at other times of the day and if so what times are second best?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. I know this must be an annoying question and I apologize.
i havent won anything majorly huge. biggest win was probably 500 bucks and second biggest was a portable dvd player but i have won a lot of stuff between 50 and 150. sometimes i like the cheaper prizes then the more expensive ones lol.
I just needed to reply to the email with my contact info to claim my prize. Here's how they put it in the winner's notification email/the first one:
"We'll need you to reply and confirm your receipt of this e-mail and also provide us with your full name, mailing address, phone number, and size (XS, S, M, L) so we can send you your prize. We would also like to ask you to please send us a photo of yourself wearing your new Collection B jacket – we would love to show how great it looks on you on the Collection B website! Please send photos to [email protected].
In addition, attached is an Affidavit that we will need you to sign and mail back. We must receive the original copy of the Affidavit before we send you your prize and please note, it must include your social security number and it must be notarized. "
I think that was pretty poorly put. But i'm happy i'll be getting it.
https://slickdeals.net/?sdtid=836076&u
Twitter Tips:
- Read the rules
- Look for the ORIGINAL tweet on the sponsors page to make sure you're tweeting the right thing. (I don't recommend just copying someone else's tweet because they might be Tweeting a contest that already ended. It happens a lot. Better to keep track yourself.)
- Hitting "ReTweet" on someone's tweet (who's not the sponsor) does NOT show up in the sponsors mention feed, unless they're using a program like TweetDeck, etc. (if that's how they're choosing winners). you're 'forwarding' that persons tweet per se to all your followers. (Referring to the NEW style ReTweet)
- Use lists to keep company twitters/regular ppl organized.
- Use your favorites list to keep track of contests.
- You can tell when sponsors pick winners randomly or based on creativity. They'll usually tell you so pay attention
- DON'T spam a contest (post them numerous times, consecutively).. you'll risk getting blocked, filtered, or suspended.
P.S.
I'd also recommend not copying every single post someone makes or hitting ReTweet on all their Tweets. You may get blocked
I also emailed CondeNast so hopefully they will verify this.
CondeNast used to have a sweepstakes accounting team in Chicago, who are the recipients of the affidavit and will send out tax the tax info to the IRS. not sure if they still
have these folks on board....
the IRS requires that the sponsor of the sweepstakes report any win over $600 becuase the win is considered income and therefore taxable. I was concerned about the paper work as well. my affidavit had to be notarized so i could prove that i was indeed the winner.
I had to call 3 or 4 times to get my prize... hope you have better luck than i did