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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
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Last Edited by BostonGirl March 8, 2015 at 07:18 AM
+89 Deal Score
2,106,333 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.

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




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Joined Dec 2007
L7: Teacher
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snowgirl2242
07-15-2010 at 10:24 AM.
07-15-2010 at 10:24 AM.
Congratulations!


This is just a follow-up email to confirm that you
received our previous email:
You have been selected as a winner of the Neutrogena Men's
Sweepstakes on Thrillist. Please provide us with your name
and address so we can ship your Neutrogena Men's products
as soon as possible.

Thanks and Congrats again!!

Thrillist Team

Anyone else get this e-mail? Is it legit?
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Buckeye23
07-15-2010 at 04:35 PM.
07-15-2010 at 04:35 PM.
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superhippie2000
07-15-2010 at 04:55 PM.
07-15-2010 at 04:55 PM.
Quote from Buckeye23 :
Can you win this more than once?

https://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?sduid=754245&t=2122604
i dont know but to be safe i would say no. seeing how its 30 bucks they may not allow more then one win.
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superhippie2000
07-15-2010 at 04:58 PM.
07-15-2010 at 04:58 PM.
Quote from sandyalip :
I lost the SoBe IWG once. I'm probalby the only one who did. The guy ran around with his pants down LOL
LOL wow people still lose on this? only time i have lost is on the first day when the game was extremely glitchy. but i say keep on playing you never know. play at a different time of day then normal. just never choose the coach dude cause he likes sniffing dirty underwear lol
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Buckeye23
07-15-2010 at 05:03 PM.
07-15-2010 at 05:03 PM.
Quote from superhippie2000 :
LOL wow people still lose on this? only time i have lost is on the first day when the game was extremely glitchy. but i say keep on playing you never know. play at a different time of day then normal. just never choose the coach dude cause he likes sniffing dirty underwear lol
Ive never lost, lowest ive gotten is a BOGO. So far ive gotten 6 free product q's and a t-shirt.
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Joined May 2010
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superhippie2000
07-15-2010 at 06:02 PM.
07-15-2010 at 06:02 PM.
Quote from Buckeye23 :
Ive never lost, lowest ive gotten is a BOGO. So far ive gotten 6 free product q's and a t-shirt.
im still waiting on the shirt win lol. ive gotten like 15/16 free ones itunes gift card and flip flops. but i get like a gazillion bogos. oh well its more free drinks and more chances to win.
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Joined Aug 2008
L7: Teacher
> bubble2 2,188 Posts
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XanderBsb
07-16-2010 at 12:22 AM.
07-16-2010 at 12:22 AM.
I won 2 round trip Delta Airlines tickets from My Coke Rewards. The given ARV is $2,400.

I want to use them on a flight from San Francisco, Ca to Winnipeg, Canada which according to the airlines website is between $1,100-$1,300. I want to know what I need to ask/request in order to prove the flight isn't the full ARV of $2,400 so that I can pay taxes on the $1,100-$1,300 value.

Thanks in advance Smilie
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Joined May 2010
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superhippie2000
07-16-2010 at 06:21 AM.
07-16-2010 at 06:21 AM.
does MCR give you a check or do they set up the flight for you? if they give you a check you can do what you want i guess but if they set up the flight or if its an airline voucher or something then you probably cant get the left over money.
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Joined Jul 2009
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andphaM33
07-19-2010 at 12:11 AM.
07-19-2010 at 12:11 AM.
do we get an email confirmation if we won the ipod nano from the sobe instant win game?
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superhippie2000
07-19-2010 at 04:11 AM.
07-19-2010 at 04:11 AM.
Quote from andphaM33 :
do we get an email confirmation if we won the ipod nano from the sobe instant win game?
think the only time you get anything is if you win the mac book. but heard you need to wait a while till they send you info for that.
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Joined Dec 2008
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AddieUSC
07-19-2010 at 12:28 PM.
07-19-2010 at 12:28 PM.
LMAO

I think I got a win - see screen image - but I haven't received an email and at the bottom it says there are errors with the page.

I clicked on it (the error tab at the bottom left side of the screen) and the pop up says prize code is null.

I'm guessing that means it can't process the screen or something; however, what do I do at this point?
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Joined May 2010
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superhippie2000
07-19-2010 at 12:35 PM.
07-19-2010 at 12:35 PM.
Quote from AddieUSC :
LMAO

I think I got a win - see screen image - but I haven't received an email and at the bottom it says there are errors with the page.

I clicked on it (the error tab at the bottom left side of the screen) and the pop up says prize code is null.

I'm guessing that means it can't process the screen or something; however, what do I do at this point?
while screen captures dont matter when it comes to saying you won a prize i would email them the screen cap anyway and the time you played and check and see if it was a real win or if the game just froze.
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Joined Apr 2008
L3: Novice
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brenda21
07-19-2010 at 01:44 PM.
07-19-2010 at 01:44 PM.
How long is too long to wait for a prize? I was notified of a prize win the first week in June, and had the affidavit notarized and back to them within a week. I followed up a couple weeks ago and the person who notified me said they're waiting on one portion of the prize. I e-mailed again today and haven't heard back so far...it's just getting really frustrating that it's been over 6 weeks and I still have no idea when it will be sent out.

ETA: The contest was from a very well-known magazine, so I'm 100% sure it isn't a scam or anything.
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Joined Dec 2005
living on the edge
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javaFlower
07-19-2010 at 02:22 PM.
07-19-2010 at 02:22 PM.
Quote from brenda21 :
How long is too long to wait for a prize? I was notified of a prize win the first week in June, and had the affidavit notarized and back to them within a week. I followed up a couple weeks ago and the person who notified me said they're waiting on one portion of the prize. I e-mailed again today and haven't heard back so far...it's just getting really frustrating that it's been over 6 weeks and I still have no idea when it will be sent out.

ETA: The contest was from a very well-known magazine, so I'm 100% sure it isn't a scam or anything.
Since they have already let you know they are waiting for part of the prize, I, personally, would have waited until about 8-12 weeks before contacting them again.

It really is not that unusual for prizing to take 8-12 weeks.

That said, I had a reputable mag win take a little over a year and was emailing them every 3 months. It finally was sent out when I emailed the company of the prize offered and some of the mags' big-wigs.

It seems like you are in the acceptable range of delivery yet -
good luck to you
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Joined Apr 2008
L3: Novice
> bubble2 219 Posts
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brenda21
07-19-2010 at 05:37 PM.
07-19-2010 at 05:37 PM.
Thanks, Java. I guess I'm just a little concerned because the person I've mostly been corresponding with is an intern so it's very possible she won't be around in 8-12 weeks. Also, the contest was summer-themed, so I'd like to be able to use the prize before summer's over! Hopefully I'll have good news soon!
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