Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands or deals, including promoted items.
Forum Thread
Sears Discounts, Deals and Coupon Codes

Contests & Sweepstakes Tips, Advice, and Questions

58,150 56,135 June 2, 2008 at 07:50 PM in Other (6) Get Sears coupons Coupons
Deal
Score
+89
2,101,203 Views

Thread Details

Last Edited by BostonGirl March 8, 2015 at 07:18 AM
+89 Deal Score
2,101,203 Views
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.
Good Deal?

Community Wiki

Last Edited by JD123 November 1, 2014 at 11:13 AM
Before we had this thread, limpstar posted this site for info on sweeps & taxes in the I Won Thread:
All About Sweepstakes Taxes
http://contests.about.com/od/taxe...gtaxes.htm

Also consider talking to your tax preparer and/or researching further into your tax responsibility.


I have found this page helpful in understanding some of sweep's law - a sweeps law co.'s site:
The Lustigman Firm; Attorneys at Law
http://www.sweepstakeslaw.com/
The Lustigman Firm provides experienced legal counsel that helps protect the business interests
of its advertising and promotional clients around the United States and Canada

What does " age of majority in your state or province " mean?

(sometimes abbreviated as AoM+ )

it's the legal age of that state or province...

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.org/wiki/Age_of_majority

there's a list by country and by US State there....

For most purposes, the age of majority in the U.S. is 18,
except for 2 states with the age of 19 (Nebraska,Alabama)
and one state with the age of 21 (Mississippi)
and two (American Samoa and Puerto Rico) that retain 14 as the age of majority.
Occasionally PA is listed under the 19+ or 21+

~javaFlower

Regarding missing prizes
If you were expecting a prize you've never received you can complain 1st to the sweepstakes administrator, then to the sweepstakes sponsor and finally to USPS Postal Inspectors

https://postalinspectors.uspis.go...laint.aspx

-Kotik


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. Unauthorized charges on the phone bill are what's called "Cramming". Once you contact the company that's charging you, and you have requested your phone company remove the charge, if you so choose, you can file a complaint with the FCC.

FCC Online complaint form: esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

You can also file your complaint with the FCC's Consumer Center by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY

You can fax your complaint to 1-866-418-0232

Or by snail mail:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554.

I also recommend a 3rd party block on your line to prohibit this from happening. 3rd party blocks don't affect your phone in any way, except by not allowing some company outside of your local phone company from adding charges to your bill.


Slickdealers on Twitter
(I don't really know where is best to start this list, but I decided to just start it here. If anyone thinks we should move it somewhere else, please do so.)

SD name Twitter name
kdka421 k8fenner
Starbelly Lunachique
dodgers77449 michael0902
sanaperv @slicksweepberry
blueeyeleo  
Slickdealers on Facebook
(Hopefully, it is allowed to post this here. If anyone thinks this link should be deleted, please do so.)
You can find the facebook slickdeals sweepers in this group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/310504039006252/

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




This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.

Once a Thread Wiki is added to a thread, "Create Wiki" button will disappear. If you would like to learn more about Thread Wiki feature, click here.



















This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.

Once a Thread Wiki is added to a thread, "Create Wiki" button will disappear. If you would like to learn more about Thread Wiki feature, click here.

Your comment cannot be blank.

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Apr 2010
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 643 Posts
292 Reputation
watershine7694
06-16-2010 at 03:26 PM.
06-16-2010 at 03:26 PM.
I have a question about twitter, I completely new to it, how do you show a sponsor you tweeted?
I see people giving links like this- http://twitter.com/username/status/00000000000
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Apr 2010
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,988 Posts
331 Reputation
madmoney1
06-16-2010 at 07:18 PM.
06-16-2010 at 07:18 PM.
Quote from funeral_phantom :
I have a question about twitter, I completely new to it, how do you show a sponsor you tweeted?
I see people giving links like this- http://twitter.com/username/status/00000000000
below your message you click on where it say "..minute ago". Then you just copy and paste in the URL
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Oct 2008
L8: Grand Teacher
> bubble2 3,662 Posts
131 Reputation
tlrae
06-17-2010 at 07:09 PM.
06-17-2010 at 07:09 PM.
Question. Today hubby listened to voicemail that said something about UPS delivering a package on 6-17-2010. Someone needs to be home between 8am and 7pm to receive package or a notice will be left on door. He thinks it said a package from T-Mobile. He DID NOT write down the tracking number and then promptly deleted it before letting me listen. Soooo...no package and no notice on the door. I have searched for "t-mobile" but can't figure out which sweep it might have been. Anyone else get something today from a tmobile sweep - haha? Also - any possibility I can get a tracking number from UPS? I called and the agent said no, but have other people had success? I guess I have to wait and see if they deliver it again...

Bah!
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Nov 2009
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,253 Posts
70 Reputation
butterflymld
06-17-2010 at 08:35 PM.
06-17-2010 at 08:35 PM.
Hi all. I am new to sweepstakes and contests. I was in a car accident on April 27th and thought this would be a nice way to pass the time. I wanted to thank you all for all the great posts and.............. I won something!! Not big, but it was soo exciting to see a win!!!
I won a free jar of Pace today and $10 Best Buy Rewards from McDonalds. YAY!!!!!!!!
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined May 2009
Queen of Allure by trade
> bubble2 1,482 Posts
669 Reputation
lovefreebees
06-18-2010 at 09:55 PM.
06-18-2010 at 09:55 PM.
i'm not seeing any winnings and i've been entering everyday for the last two weeks, i feel like giving up on sweeping. my question is how many sweeps do you enter each day or week and out of that how many times do you win?
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined May 2010
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,447 Posts
244 Reputation
superhippie2000
06-19-2010 at 06:57 AM.
06-19-2010 at 06:57 AM.
i enter like 70 iwg a day give or take. some months are better then others. sometimes i go a a couple of months not winning anything worth while and other times i can win something good once or twice a week.

play the SoBe IWG cause no one ever loses that lol
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined May 2006
Keeper of the Trophy
> bubble2 116,549 Posts
14,443 Reputation
implode
06-19-2010 at 07:55 PM.
06-19-2010 at 07:55 PM.
Quote from superhippie2000 :
i enter like 70 iwg a day give or take. some months are better then others. sometimes i go a a couple of months not winning anything worth while and other times i can win something good once or twice a week.

play the SoBe IWG cause no one ever loses that lol
Touche, I haven't won yet...have been on vacation and only attempted twice--got bogo coupons both times.
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Aug 2009
L9: Master
> bubble2 4,134 Posts
4,464 Reputation
figarotigger
06-19-2010 at 10:45 PM.
06-19-2010 at 10:45 PM.
Quote from implode :
Touche, I haven't won yet...have been on vacation and only attempted twice--got bogo coupons both times.
Ummm, per the rules, the BOGO is a win............

You are so helpful to all of usnod I know you just haven't had the time to check out those pesky rules.

Now off to Target when they open to get more Sobe (hopefully with WIN codes and not "YOU LOSE"-last batch, had 4 of the game caps and only one winner.)
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Jan 2005
does it have a coupon?
> bubble2 2,054 Posts
635 Reputation
BczIdo
06-21-2010 at 02:52 PM.
06-21-2010 at 02:52 PM.
Quote from pohto9 :
Just a few quick questions for anyone who doesn't mind answering. look around

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'm an old pro at this... Master of none and so on though.
There ARE folks who will tell you the best time to play IWG's is at early morning hours & there may be some truth to that in some cases.

HOWEVER, I have won many, many valuable instant wins- playing during more reasonable hours. I've won from many large companies- everything from electronics to vacations on IWGs and I can tell 'ya I don't do much sweeping after midnight because that's my personal cut off.

People will constantly barage (sp police step in) you with tips and tricks they may swear by or that work for them consistently. Don't fall for it- you have 2 factors to consider, 1- if they KNEW how to win 'em all, do you really think they'd give out THAT to a complete stranger? I mean I'm a nice person- but, it's a Me world in my house! 2. EVERY sweeps is operated by different individuals, businesses, marketing agencies, promo agencies and so on. As such- each methodology for each sweep, can also be just as different. It is more of a numbers game than anything else... The more you enter- the more chances you have to win, however- there is also a human factor because most newer sweepers typically don't read the rules, which you will see written to do time and time again. Rules vary constantly, get changed or can just be read differently by different folks. Entering more than once on the blue moon, second week, 3rd monday of every month that has said circumstance could void your entry if they wanted only for you to mention the blue moon.

Find a method or system that works for YOU- don't try to take advice from strangers. Again, if they knew the secret to winning them all- they wouldn't tell you. (don't worry- I don't & believe most others don't either!) You will find often- the masses can be severely wrong- which helps greatly when YOU make choices on your own. Don't always trust them to tell you the truth or know it if they see it. I heard forever Readers digest is a scam, they will spam you- blah, blah, blah... Um, my shiny new car in my driveway came from them & not a lick of mail, phone calls (other than the win) or spam has come before, during or since I got that.

Try to filter for businesses whose names or agencies you do know, and work from there in a method that is reasonable and comfortable for you. I say this because if you don't do it that way- you will quickly lose interest during dry spells. It's hard to stay into it when you get a tshirt & pad of paper after a year or so... But, if you can stick with it- You will get a reward down the line if you do it long enough. The sun shines on a dogs behind & all... Eventually, it just has to happen.
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Nov 2008
L4: Apprentice
> bubble2 341 Posts
560 Reputation
MasonIII
06-22-2010 at 04:03 AM.
06-22-2010 at 04:03 AM.
I have a question for those who have experienced something like this.

A few weeks ago I won a fliphd video camera from hostess:
https://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=447749&t=2007256
However, it came via ups requiring a signature while I was on vacation for two weeks and I just got back to find that the 5 day waiting period has expired and that it has already been shipped back but is still in transit. I didn't get a email for the win so I don't have anywhere/anyone to contact. Any advice/ideas on what I should do? The rules say that if the prize is returned undeliverable it may be void.
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined May 2010
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,447 Posts
244 Reputation
superhippie2000
06-22-2010 at 06:49 AM.
06-22-2010 at 06:49 AM.
you should probably email the contest people and explain you were away. they may resend but might wind up charging you postage or something not sure. or depending on where the "in transit" is if its still in your state maybe you can call UPS and see if they can send it back.
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Jul 2006
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 729 Posts
777 Reputation
Fay
06-22-2010 at 06:54 AM.
06-22-2010 at 06:54 AM.
You can look at the contest rules to see who the judging agency is and then go to their website and use the "contact us" link. HTH Smilie
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Jun 2010
L1: Learner
> bubble2 3 Posts
10 Reputation
buster42
06-22-2010 at 04:11 PM.
06-22-2010 at 04:11 PM.
I have been contesting since 1995 and my daughter started about a year ago, She has done pretty well but has run into a snag with Bauer Publishing contests. She won 2 contests off one of their sites, a movie projector and a Gossip girl tour. They were won in Jan and Feb of this year. The wins were confirmed by Bauer at the time but 20 plus emails or so later nothing was received.
Does anyone have any contacts other than the published ones on the companies web site or the magazines site???
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Joined Apr 2010
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,988 Posts
331 Reputation
madmoney1
06-22-2010 at 06:37 PM.
06-22-2010 at 06:37 PM.
I sure feel weird being in a twitter party. It's all women talking about gal stuff and I'm just there playing along LOL
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Joined Dec 2005
living on the edge
> bubble2 25,256 Posts
20,984 Reputation
javaFlower
06-22-2010 at 06:48 PM.
06-22-2010 at 06:48 PM.
Quote from buster42 :
I have been contesting since 1995 and my daughter started about a year ago, She has done pretty well but has run into a snag with Bauer Publishing contests. She won 2 contests off one of their sites, a movie projector and a Gossip girl tour. They were won in Jan and Feb of this year. The wins were confirmed by Bauer at the time but 20 plus emails or so later nothing was received.
Does anyone have any contacts other than the published ones on the companies web site or the magazines site???
Not anything that isn't online already, but...

I usually suggest you find contacts for customer service and some marketing/ad exec/peeps.
A polite email copied to a few of them usually gets some action.

Here are some pages with some contacts that MAY work for you:

http://www.bauermedia.com/standort_usa.0.html
http://www.bauerpublishing.com/Co...ct_pr.html
http://www.bauerpublishing.com/Co...orial.html


If you like phoning, the main phone for them is Tel.: 1 (201) 569 - 6699
- with any luck, they can direct you to someone who can assist you!

This guy looks like a good bet for the marketing/ad guy:
http://www.bauerpublishing.com/Co...hnbio.html
http://www.bauerpublishing.com/Co...sales.html

I'd copy in similar people at the particular magazine, if possible.

ALSO, if you can copy the emails to the ad/marketing person and customer service of the brand of the prize, that can help.
Prizes are often a method of advertising and the prize brand usually will be concerned and try to get action too.

Good Luck!
Like
Funny
>
Helpful
Not helpful
Reply
Last edited by javaFlower June 22, 2010 at 07:10 PM.
Page 2 of 642
Start the Conversation
 
Link Copied

The link has been copied to the clipboard.