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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
2,101,282 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.
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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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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.

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Joined Jan 2010
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countyline
07-04-2013 at 06:32 PM.
07-04-2013 at 06:32 PM.
Quote from ChrisB65 :
I use Autofill Forms with Firefox. I can't compare it to any others since it's the only one that I have ever used, but I'm happy with it.
Thanks, I'll have a look at it. I used to use Sxipper and loved it but unfortunately the author quit supporting it and it died a terrible death. I had tried a few different ones before I found Sxipper and found them to be cryptic and hard to use.
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implode
07-04-2013 at 06:37 PM.
07-04-2013 at 06:37 PM.
Quote from countyline :
Well, you are using the paid version. They can't convince me to pay for it when the free version consistently misfills entry forms. I spend more time correcting entries than if I manually filled them. I have contacted support and they always tell me it's working correctly but I beg to differ as it is NOT working for me.
The thing about the paid version is pass cards, they fill the form correctly 100% of the time. All you have to do is save the form filled out exactly how you like it. When I win $1000's a year, that is a relatively small amount to pay given it increases my productivity as much as 3 or 4 times the amount of entries I can do in a given period of time. Would winning 3-4x as much stuff pay for a license....probably for most folks.
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liane66
07-05-2013 at 05:55 AM.
07-05-2013 at 05:55 AM.
Quote from credmond :
use the facebook hashtags #sweepstakes #win etc. same that you would for searching on twitter.
Thank you! I didn't know FB was doing hashtags, but I will try it.
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Joined Aug 2008
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jamminsport16
07-05-2013 at 07:56 AM.
07-05-2013 at 07:56 AM.
Anyone use any Facebook sweepstakes websites that they used to enter Facebook contests, since Wildfire by Google decided to shut down?
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Joined Nov 2005
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Uppy
07-05-2013 at 09:18 AM.
07-05-2013 at 09:18 AM.
Quote from implode :
The thing about the paid version is pass cards, they fill the form correctly 100% of the time. All you have to do is save the form filled out exactly how you like it. When I win $1000's a year, that is a relatively small amount to pay given it increases my productivity as much as 3 or 4 times the amount of entries I can do in a given period of time. Would winning 3-4x as much stuff pay for a license....probably for most folks.
Well, for me 3-4 x 0 = 0 so my cost analysis would be negative. I started entering regularly back in November. Got spoiled I guess because right off the bat I won a drill from slickdeals and a box of Godiva chocolates. Only little stuff like candy bars, coupons etc., ever since. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I read and follow the rules yet no significant wins. I focus on things we need (TV, laptop, phone, landscaping, lawn mower). I enter 80-90 things in the hour I can give to sweepstakes daily and keep my fingers crossed. Any thing else I should try. I use the free Chrome autofill. Other than never auto filling birth dates it is pretty accurate.
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implode
07-05-2013 at 09:22 AM.
07-05-2013 at 09:22 AM.
Quote from Uppy :
Well, for me 3-4 x 0 = 0 so my cost analysis would be negative. I started entering regularly back in November. Got spoiled I guess because right off the bat I won a drill from slickdeals and a box of Godiva chocolates. Only little stuff like candy bars, coupons etc., ever since. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I read and follow the rules yet no significant wins. I focus on things we need (TV, laptop, phone, landscaping, lawn mower). I enter 80-90 things in the hour I can give to sweepstakes daily and keep my fingers crossed. Any thing else I should try. I use the free Chrome autofill. Other than never auto filling birth dates it is pretty accurate.
Correct, if your unmotivated and don't put any time into it--Roboform will likely not help you much. It simply magnifies what you can do. Sweeping is a time game, what do you have time to enter on a regular basis? NOT unusual at all to not win anything but small prizes over a long period of time.
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katdrox
07-05-2013 at 11:35 AM.
07-05-2013 at 11:35 AM.
Quote from countyline :
Firefox users, please recommend a form filler. I've had it with Roboform, it has been giving me grief for months and this last update is the final straw. I haven't found ONE form it will fill correctly.. Thanks.
I just downloaded LastPass yesterday and so far, I like it more than RF.
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Joined Jan 2010
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countyline
07-05-2013 at 12:05 PM.
07-05-2013 at 12:05 PM.
Quote from katdrox :
I just downloaded LastPass yesterday and so far, I like it more than RF.
Thanks, that is the one that it seems most people are using. Will DEFINITELY have a look at that one.
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credmond
07-05-2013 at 12:56 PM.
07-05-2013 at 12:56 PM.
Quote from implode :
Win anything Pepsi or Frito Lay or Quaker related...those are some of their bigger clients (Technically the same company).
It was beyonce tickets from pepsi pxp
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implode
07-05-2013 at 01:01 PM.
07-05-2013 at 01:01 PM.
Quote from credmond :
It was beyonce tickets from pepsi pxp
Cool, where are you going to see Beyonce perform?
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credmond
07-05-2013 at 01:05 PM.
07-05-2013 at 01:05 PM.
Quote from implode :
Cool, where are you going to see Beyonce perform?
It's in DC. But I'm not gonna go lol a pair of tickets worth $100 for 8,000 pxp just seemed like a good deal. I'm sure someone in my family will enjoy them. If she performed closer to me then i'd go.
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Joined May 2006
Keeper of the Trophy
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implode
07-06-2013 at 02:45 PM.
07-06-2013 at 02:45 PM.
Anyone notice Marlboro is now using eprize? I haven't won in like 3-4 contests, but that is new to me.
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Joined Oct 2008
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Sweepaholic
07-06-2013 at 03:27 PM.
07-06-2013 at 03:27 PM.
Quote from implode :
Anyone notice Marlboro is now using eprize? I haven't won in like 3-4 contests, but that is new to me.
It was mentioned in the thread for the last promo they had.
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lovelyone
07-08-2013 at 07:25 PM.
07-08-2013 at 07:25 PM.
update....the IRS decided that I don't have to pay taxes on my trip until next year. When I file for 2013 I will have to add the trip.

see all's well that ends well. lol.
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Joined Nov 2010
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yoda2
07-09-2013 at 06:04 AM.
07-09-2013 at 06:04 AM.
The last trip we won the contest had ended in 2012 but the trip wasn't actually taken until 2013 so we weren't sure which year to file. After some research it looks like the taxes will go toward 2013.
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