Contests & Sweepstakes Tips, Advice, and Questions

[javaFlower]

Quote from ceres : For the larger prizes, do they always send a 1099? I won a trip to Denver to see the Giants @ Broncos. I received all the stuff (flight itinerary, hotel information, directions, game tickets) in the mail yesterday but I haven't gotten a 1099. I won about a month ago and the trip is next week. What really sucks is my husband may not even able to go anymore. NY state is run by a bunch of morons. The state is on the verge of bankruptcy and there's an emergency session to cut the budget but in 4 days they haven't even started touching that area because no one wants to be those guys who cut school aid and social programs. Since my husband works as a budget analyst, he's not allowed to take any time off when session is going on.

1099s usually come around year's end -
they are supposed to be to you no later than January 31st, by law.

Sorry to hear your husband is deep in budgetary nightmares.

[blueeyeleo]

Quote from bigfig0659 : Thanks!

I also do a search for that contest to make sure its valid if you cant find it and cant remember entering it ask others to search for you. If you are still not able to find it you can post the company here most here like me that have been doing this for 10+ yrs know most of the names of the promotion companies and if you dont want to tell others the name you can always email them with any questions.

[blueeyeleo]

Quote from ceres : For the larger prizes, do they always send a 1099? I won a trip to Denver to see the Giants @ Broncos. I received all the stuff (flight itinerary, hotel information, directions, game tickets) in the mail yesterday but I haven't gotten a 1099. I won about a month ago and the trip is next week. What really sucks is my husband may not even able to go anymore. NY state is run by a bunch of morons. The state is on the verge of bankruptcy and there's an emergency session to cut the budget but in 4 days they haven't even started touching that area because no one wants to be those guys who cut school aid and social programs. Since my husband works as a budget analyst, he's not allowed to take any time off when session is going on.

You should get a 1099 but I have had times even with eprize that I didnt get it until after the deadline of filing so I knew the exact amount of the prize since I called them and got the info that would be on the 1099. I had to file without it it ended up getting here a month later then the deadline Yes you are still liable for the taxes even without paperwork its concidered income.

[crazeypoet]

Edit: nevermind. it's already been answered

[tomyy77]

This may be answered already. I tried to search and also read through this thread, but there are 100's of pages.

With instant win sweeps that only allow for one instant win prize...

If you win something small like for example a 6th place $10 gift cert, does that mean you should just stop playing?

Can you keep playing and if you win a better prize opt for the better one and relinquish the smaller prize?

If not, it kind of stinks that you would be disqualified from a grand prize by winning a smaller prize.

[XanderBsb]

I received an e-mail saying I won the Delta’s Escape for Two Sweepstakes from my coke rewards. This is my first time winning something like this. On the affidavit, there's a form for a travel companion. Do I have to decide on a companion now? Also, is it required to have a companion? Is it possible for me to use each ticket separately or do they have to be used for the same travel date?

[alm99]

Quote from XanderBsb : I received an e-mail saying I won the Delta’s Escape for Two Sweepstakes from my coke rewards. This is my first time winning something like this. On the affidavit, there's a form for a travel companion. Do I have to decide on a companion now? Also, is it required to have a companion? Is it possible for me to use each ticket separately or do they have to be used for the same travel date?

I believe the companion ticket is used at the same time.

[Guillotine]

Quote from tomyy77 : This may be answered already. I tried to search and also read through this thread, but there are 100's of pages. With instant win sweeps that only allow for one instant win prize... If you win something small like for example a 6th place $10 gift cert, does that mean you should just stop playing? Can you keep playing and if you win a better prize opt for the better one and relinquish the smaller prize? If not, it kind of stinks that you would be disqualified from a grand prize by winning a smaller prize.

You will only get the first instant prize you win ( if you happen to win again, that is), however, if there is a grand prize sweepstakes associated with the instant win game, feel free to keep entering daily for that prize. Read the rules for that particular sweep - it is rare for an instant prize to preclude you from winning the grand prize, but once in awhile that is the case.

[scotthey]

So I won a TV and PS3 valued at around $1200 US. The company is from Canada so that got me thinking....would I get a 1099 on this? They don't report to our IRS so in my simple mind I figure probably not but I thought maybe someone else here has had an experience like this before.

[implode]

anyone else having issues with the forum today...hangs up for 10-15 seconds before completing a request to go to page I'm asking for.

[h438dlk34]

Quote from implode : anyone else having issues with the forum today...hangs up for 10-15 seconds before completing a request to go to page I'm asking for.

same here, there's probably too many people browsing the black friday deals

[javaFlower]

Quote from implode : anyone else having issues with the forum today...hangs up for 10-15 seconds before completing a request to go to page I'm asking for.

Quote from h438dlk34 : same here, there's probably too many people browsing the black friday deals

Huge numbers of people on SD lately - lounge thread about it

At one point over 60,000 people on SD at once

[specialopts51]

Yeah I know I'm one of the newbies.. I started checking out the site about 2 months ago cause I am gearing up to buy another laptop and TV. Then I came across the sweeps thread and got addicted. It's nicely done but I still wish there was a better way to organize it. All the "thanks" make it difficult to keep track of which ones I did.

Awesome site though..

Dennis

[JCausby]

Is there a place in a forum to help other members win a contest by voting? I have an entry that needs votes via Facebook, and I would love to post it, but I don't want to break any rules!

[javaFlower]

Quote from JCausby : Is there a place in a forum to help other members win a contest by voting? I have an entry that needs votes via Facebook, and I would love to post it, but I don't want to break any rules!

That is considered referrals and self-promotion,
both of which are against SD Rules, in forums or via PMs,
last I knew.

You could PM a trusted Mod and ask, to be sure.