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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
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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




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.

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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.

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Joined Jan 2009
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tupperwaretin
04-23-2014 at 03:55 AM.
04-23-2014 at 03:55 AM.
Where is the forum that you post what you won because I can't find it?
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shesays
04-23-2014 at 05:35 AM.
04-23-2014 at 05:35 AM.
Quote from tupperwaretin :
Where is the forum that you post what you won because I can't find it?
https://slickdeals.net/f/762267-official-discussion-of-contests-sweepstakes-i-have-won-no-ot?v=1
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jamminsport16
04-23-2014 at 09:27 AM.
04-23-2014 at 09:27 AM.
Has anyone won twice on on Camel since they implemented CITIPREPAID as their issuer?

I won my second prize from Camel and when I try to redeem my card it will not let me 'login' under my original account that I created when I won my 1st prize. It is making me create a whole new account, with new username, email, the whole 9 yards.

Help if anyone had this issue yet??
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stevemz
04-23-2014 at 11:30 AM.
04-23-2014 at 11:30 AM.
Quote from shesays :
I don't want to beat a dead horse, but another Official Rules for a sweeps I'm entering states:

"2. ENTRY: During the period beginning at 12:01 A.M., April 22nd, 2014, and ending at 11:59:59 P.M., April 30th, 2014 ("Entry Period"), you may enter this Sweepstakes in one way. For purposes of these Official Rules ("Rules"), all times and days are Eastern Daylight Time. (Online Entry: You may enter via the Internet by visiting our contest page ("Website") and completing and submitting all information requested on the online sign-up/entry form, ("Online Entry"). Normal Internet access and usage charges imposed by your online service will apply. It is your sole responsibility to notify the Sponsor in writing if you change your email address ("Address"). "Entry": shall mean and refer to each Online Entry."
I don't think it's beating a dead horse, I actually appreciate it. I think it's a losing fight with the one promo I contacted them on, but is good to have in mind!
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Joined Jun 2007
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dgleeson
04-23-2014 at 02:17 PM.
04-23-2014 at 02:17 PM.
Quote from jamminsport16 :
Has anyone won twice on on Camel since they implemented CITIPREPAID as their issuer?

I won my second prize from Camel and when I try to redeem my card it will not let me 'login' under my original account that I created when I won my 1st prize. It is making me create a whole new account, with new username, email, the whole 9 yards.

Help if anyone had this issue yet??
Found out when I won my second WW Smart Ones card which is also CitiPrepaid, that that is exactly the case, new account for each card, just like the co that Miller used a year or so ago too. It's a PITA, but...
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dadud3r
04-23-2014 at 02:21 PM.
04-23-2014 at 02:21 PM.
Quote from stevemz :
I don't think it's beating a dead horse, I actually appreciate it. I think it's a losing fight with the one promo I contacted them on, but is good to have in mind!
Is there anything you can do to get email forwarding or anything like that? I would think this situation has come up?
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Joined Apr 2012
L7: Teacher
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sghotra
04-23-2014 at 05:30 PM.
04-23-2014 at 05:30 PM.
Quote from jamminsport16 :
Has anyone won twice on on Camel since they implemented CITIPREPAID as their issuer?

I won my second prize from Camel and when I try to redeem my card it will not let me 'login' under my original account that I created when I won my 1st prize. It is making me create a whole new account, with new username, email, the whole 9 yards.

Help if anyone had this issue yet??
I haven't had the issue, but Camel won't even let me create an account, don't know why.
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Joined Sep 2012
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stevemz
04-23-2014 at 06:31 PM.
04-23-2014 at 06:31 PM.
Quote from dadud3r :
Is there anything you can do to get email forwarding or anything like that? I would think this situation has come up?
I don't know in a regular situation, but from what I can tell in this one my old e-mail will be discontinued after 6/30. They are encouraging me to set up an e-mail with Charter and will forward my Optimum e-mails until 6/30 at which point everything will be gone.
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shesays
04-23-2014 at 06:46 PM.
04-23-2014 at 06:46 PM.
Quote from stevemz :
I don't know in a regular situation, but from what I can tell in this one my old e-mail will be discontinued after 6/30. They are encouraging me to set up an e-mail with Charter and will forward my Optimum e-mails until 6/30 at which point everything will be gone.
Not "everything will be gone.", stevemz. You'll still have your health. Wink
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Joined Sep 2012
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stevemz
04-23-2014 at 06:47 PM.
04-23-2014 at 06:47 PM.
Quote from shesays :
Not "everything will be gone.", stevemz. You'll still have your health. Wink
Hopefully...and maybe a nice shiny new prize in my fancy new gmail.
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Joined Aug 2008
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jamminsport16
04-23-2014 at 06:59 PM.
04-23-2014 at 06:59 PM.
Thx for replies guys.

Also was wondering if anyone has tried to "reset firefox" to help clear any issues regarding loading sweepstakes? I heard this works great...however, when I did I lost all of my roboform data! Luckily I did a system restore and got it back, any suggestions if anyone has done this yet?
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Keeper of the Trophy
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implode
04-23-2014 at 07:29 PM.
04-23-2014 at 07:29 PM.
Quote from jamminsport16 :
Thx for replies guys.

Also was wondering if anyone has tried to "reset firefox" to help clear any issues regarding loading sweepstakes? I heard this works great...however, when I did I lost all of my roboform data! Luckily I did a system restore and got it back, any suggestions if anyone has done this yet?
I would clear cookies only...

Roboform data can should be backed up on a thumb drive from time to time....
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jamminsport16
04-23-2014 at 07:53 PM.
04-23-2014 at 07:53 PM.
Quote from implode :
I would clear cookies only...

Roboform data can should be backed up on a thumb drive from time to time....
I have firefox automatically delete cookies after every session, because too many facebook sweepstakes in one day means that the Submit button will not work and cause a 404 error for me lol. If my tabs keep freezing I will have to reset firefox again.. and I may try to back up all of my roboform data, but it's just too risky if it doesn't work out for some reason lol.
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Joined May 2006
Keeper of the Trophy
> bubble2 116,554 Posts
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implode
04-23-2014 at 08:50 PM.
04-23-2014 at 08:50 PM.
Quote from jamminsport16 :
I have firefox automatically delete cookies after every session, because too many facebook sweepstakes in one day means that the Submit button will not work and cause a 404 error for me lol. If my tabs keep freezing I will have to reset firefox again.. and I may try to back up all of my roboform data, but it's just too risky if it doesn't work out for some reason lol.
Why would backing up data be risky? Option in robo to write all passes to a file--then any time you need to reinstall roboform, you can load your passes from said file.
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Joined Aug 2008
Small Business Owner
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jamminsport16
04-24-2014 at 07:53 AM.
04-24-2014 at 07:53 AM.
Quote from implode :
Why would backing up data be risky? Option in robo to write all passes to a file--then any time you need to reinstall roboform, you can load your passes from said file.
I figure even if there is a 1% chance that I can't get it to work right after a restart, then it's not worth the risk? Oh and I figured out why my Facebook sweeps don't submit and/or give me a 404 error. I changed the size of my Firefox cache under advanced settings to 1024mb (overrided), and this helped for some reason.
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