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forum threadFreebiesRGreat posted Jun 03, 2008 02:50 AM
forum threadFreebiesRGreat posted Jun 03, 2008 02:50 AM

Contests & Sweepstakes Tips, Advice, and Questions

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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.
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
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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Dec 28, 2017 02:22 AM
6,045 Posts
Joined Jul 2012
Dec 28, 2017 02:22 AM
ChrisB65Dec 28, 2017 02:22 AM
6,045 Posts
Quote from patricia46 :
Is this a win? or just a glitch? it was the coke rewards contest AMOE. it was about 3 weeks ago this came up never got a confirmation e-mail. Do they send them out right away or after the contest is over.
It's a glitch, I got a lot of those, sometimes 2 or 3 times during my 20 plays, and other people got them too.
Dec 28, 2017 03:12 AM
30,495 Posts
Joined Oct 2010
Dec 28, 2017 03:12 AM
patricia46Dec 28, 2017 03:12 AM
30,495 Posts
Quote from ChrisB65 :
It's a glitch, I got a lot of those, sometimes 2 or 3 times during my 20 plays, and other people got them too.
Thank You
Dec 28, 2017 04:06 PM
2,837 Posts
Joined Apr 2012
Dec 28, 2017 04:06 PM
sghotraDec 28, 2017 04:06 PM
2,837 Posts
Quote from Johnsofx :
Just missed a call from Iheartradio. I wonder what prize i missed out on lol
How do you know it was them? What number do they call from?
Dec 28, 2017 08:55 PM
554 Posts
Joined Apr 2017
Dec 28, 2017 08:55 PM
JohnsofxDec 28, 2017 08:55 PM
554 Posts
Quote from sghotra :
How do you know it was them? What number do they call from?
I called them back right away. 2123777900 Told them I had a missed call they asked if I won a prize and for what promotion. I didn't have a voicemail or anything so I told them I didn't know and then they just transferred me to the promo department voicemail.
Dec 30, 2017 01:13 AM
531 Posts
Joined Sep 2008
Dec 30, 2017 01:13 AM
CoachSauersDec 30, 2017 01:13 AM
531 Posts
Quote from Johnsofx :
Just missed a call from Iheartradio. I wonder what prize i missed out on lol
It was probably this:

https://slickdeals.net/f/10929175-borden-cheese-home-for-the-holidays-contest-11-19-12-8?v=1

Unlucky.
Jan 01, 2018 04:51 AM
4,953 Posts
Joined Sep 2009
Jan 01, 2018 04:51 AM
iamnotaduckJan 01, 2018 04:51 AM
4,953 Posts
Quote from Johnsofx :
Just missed a call from Iheartradio. I wonder what prize i missed out on lol
Did you find out anything??
Jan 03, 2018 09:27 PM
6,045 Posts
Joined Jul 2012
Jan 03, 2018 09:27 PM
ChrisB65Jan 03, 2018 09:27 PM
6,045 Posts
Looks like HelloWorld has been bought: https://helloworld.com/insights/n...elloworld/

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Jan 04, 2018 08:59 PM
164 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
Jan 04, 2018 08:59 PM
adrienne7611Jan 04, 2018 08:59 PM
164 Posts
Newbie contest/sweeps enterer here! I use a separate email to enter the contests. But I have the type of personality that hates to see unopened email notifications, or a large number of voicemails - I like to clear them all out.

Is it ok to "unsubscribe" to newsletters/emails after entering contests? Or does that usually disqualify you from winning?

Thanks in advance for any advice!
Jan 05, 2018 12:06 PM
4,433 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
Jan 05, 2018 12:06 PM
lovelyoneJan 05, 2018 12:06 PM
4,433 Posts
Quote from adrienne7611 :
Newbie contest/sweeps enterer here! I use a separate email to enter the contests. But I have the type of personality that hates to see unopened email notifications, or a large number of voicemails - I like to clear them all out.

Is it ok to "unsubscribe" to newsletters/emails after entering contests? Or does that usually disqualify you from winning?

Thanks in advance for any advice!
most of the contests/sweeps say you don't have to stay subscribed to win but usually i do until the contest is over just in case.
Jan 05, 2018 10:53 PM
135 Posts
Joined Jul 2015
Jan 05, 2018 10:53 PM
IndeliblePupJan 05, 2018 10:53 PM
135 Posts
I have a question about choosing a time to play the instant win games. For some reason,I've always felt like the odds of winning are better if I pick an even-numbered time to play,i.e 4:42 or 5:44 or 6:28. I never play at odd-numbered times. If It's 3:31 I wait until 3:32 to hit "play". I never win but can't seem to get past the feeling that odd-numbered times are unlucky,especially 1 minute after the hour. Does anyone recall winning a game they played at an odd-numbered time?
Jan 05, 2018 11:32 PM
739 Posts
Joined Nov 2008
Jan 05, 2018 11:32 PM
mike34Jan 05, 2018 11:32 PM
739 Posts
Quote from IndeliblePup :
I have a question about choosing a time to play the instant win games. For some reason,I've always felt like the odds of winning are better if I pick an even-numbered time to play,i.e 4:42 or 5:44 or 6:28. I never play at odd-numbered times. If It's 3:31 I wait until 3:32 to hit "play". I never win but can't seem to get past the feeling that odd-numbered times are unlucky,especially 1 minute after the hour. Does anyone recall winning a game they played at an odd-numbered time?
It's random. Don't worry about the exact time you enter. There is some credence to being more likely to win when entering in the very early morning (e.g., 2-4 am) but that's only because there are fewer people entering at that time.
Jan 06, 2018 06:29 AM
680 Posts
Joined Dec 2015
Jan 06, 2018 06:29 AM
minxa1Jan 06, 2018 06:29 AM
680 Posts
Quote from mike34 :
It's random. Don't worry about the exact time you enter. There is some credence to being more likely to win when entering in the very early morning (e.g., 2-4 am) but that's only because there are fewer people entering at that time.

I tend to play between 2-5 am PST, but only because I work nights.. I haven't noticed any better odds on my instant win games. It's really just luck of the draw
Jan 06, 2018 11:43 PM
135 Posts
Joined Jul 2015
Jan 06, 2018 11:43 PM
IndeliblePupJan 06, 2018 11:43 PM
135 Posts
Quote from minxa1 :
I tend to play between 2-5 am PST, but only because I work nights.. I haven't noticed any better odds on my instant win games. It's really just luck of the draw
Quote from mike34 :
It's random. Don't worry about the exact time you enter. There is some credence to being more likely to win when entering in the very early morning (e.g., 2-4 am) but that's only because there are fewer people entering at that time.
I used to win fairly often when I worked 2nd shift and did my entries in the early morning hours (1-3 am) but since I've been back on 1st shift and entering in mid afternoon I haven't won a single instant win prize. It does seem like the odds would be better in the early morning when fewer people are playing.Thanks for your replies & best of luck!
Jan 07, 2018 12:48 AM
1,103 Posts
Joined May 2008
Jan 07, 2018 12:48 AM
conehead433Jan 07, 2018 12:48 AM
1,103 Posts
Quote from minxa1 :
I tend to play between 2-5 am PST, but only because I work nights.. I haven't noticed any better odds on my instant win games. It's really just luck of the draw
Playing really late at night really only ever pays off when there a lot of prizes each day or there are guaranteed winners every every few minutes. A number of members here racked up the wins when Coca-Cola had their text to win $25 with a winner every ten minutes the best I can remember. Other than the OReilly IWG currently most IWGs are for like one prize a day. Hardly worth getting up early for a chance to win.

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Jan 12, 2018 02:17 PM
6,585 Posts
Joined Jul 2014
Jan 12, 2018 02:17 PM
ilovewinningJan 12, 2018 02:17 PM
6,585 Posts
Quote from dorsy28 :
Received this message when trying to share on Twitter. I also get it when I log directly into Twitter.com.

We have detected unusual activity on your account. For your security, your account has been locked until you change your password. What can you do: To secure your account, please change your password before logging back in.

Anyone else having this issue?
Received this message when trying to share on Twitter. I also get it when I log directly into Twitter.com.

We have detected unusual activity on your account. For your security, your account has been locked until you change your password. What can you do: To secure your account, please change your password before logging back in.

Anyone else having this issue?
Debbie

I got same notice from twitter and trying 2 reset my password but their email is not coming into my inbox.So I cant rest my password. Were u able to get back in to twitter?

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