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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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Aug 07, 2011 01:18 PM
25,256 Posts
Joined Dec 2005
javaFlowerAug 07, 2011 01:18 PM
25,256 Posts
Quote from pennyrose :
Thanks again and repped for the idea, Jang.

I went there and they suggested looking in their FAQ's. There was a place to send in your question, but it said it could take up to 3 business days to respond - ugghh. I don't know if I should just comment about the problem on their facebook page or try emailing yet again? I really want this prize - first "good" one I've won in forever.
There are some e-prize phone numbers in the wiki of this thread.

I wish all the companies who require you send them stuff would send you a confirmation as part of their normal process.

Good Luck!
Aug 07, 2011 09:36 PM
1,369 Posts
Joined Sep 2009
pennyroseAug 07, 2011 09:36 PM
1,369 Posts
javaFlower - Thanks for the help - I wish I would have thought to look in the wiki - I would have called for sure! I've sent an email to one of the contacts and will definitely call tomorrow.
Aug 13, 2011 05:36 PM
6 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
JKrabbieAug 13, 2011 05:36 PM
6 Posts
I hope this is being posted in the right forum, but I have a question if anyone can help. Has anyone won from www.walmartsweepstakes.com or www.searssweepstakes.com? They are obviously run by the same person. Anyway, I was listed as a winner, and the rules state I would be notified and have 7 or 8 days to respond... EXCEPT I haven't received the notification. I searched the rules, and found two email addresses, emailed them and have gotten zero reponse. If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Aug 13, 2011 06:35 PM
118,456 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeAug 13, 2011 06:35 PM
118,456 Posts
Quote from JKrabbie :
I hope this is being posted in the right forum, but I have a question if anyone can help. Has anyone won from www.walmartsweepstakes.com or www.searssweepstakes.com? They are obviously run by the same person. Anyway, I was listed as a winner, and the rules state I would be notified and have 7 or 8 days to respond... EXCEPT I haven't received the notification. I searched the rules, and found two email addresses, emailed them and have gotten zero reponse. If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I would look up the DNS records of the website, see if maybe a phone # is listed for individual who created them....

this can be done by going here:
http://network-tools.com/

using that sites it shows site was registed by go daddy:
http://who.godaddy.com/whois.aspx...id=GoDaddy

Technical Contact:
Private, Registration [email protected]
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
DomainsByProxy.com
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
(480) 624-2599 Fax -- (480) 624-2598

Googling Domains by proxy...we come up with this little tidbit:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

People complaining they are a front for hackers, scammer, and spammers....seems to coincide with your concerns.
Aug 13, 2011 07:00 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangAug 13, 2011 07:00 PM
1,844 Posts
Quote from JKrabbie :
I hope this is being posted in the right forum, but I have a question if anyone can help. Has anyone won from www.walmartsweepstakes.com or www.searssweepstakes.com? They are obviously run by the same person. Anyway, I was listed as a winner, and the rules state I would be notified and have 7 or 8 days to respond... EXCEPT I haven't received the notification. I searched the rules, and found two email addresses, emailed them and have gotten zero reponse. If anyone has any info it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I'm sorry to say but the facts that the domains are for sale and that they are not associated with their respective companies worries me a bit. I really hope you receive your prize though.
Aug 13, 2011 10:09 PM
205 Posts
Joined May 2010
kajaloveAug 13, 2011 10:09 PM
205 Posts
Hi Everyone -

Is anyone else having trouble with ePrize sweeps today or is it just me? Each one I try and enter, I get a lovely message "An error has occured" - thus, when trying to enter later, it tells me "You've already entered today, come back tomorrow" - While not critical, it's a major downer when time burgler contests fail!

RF
Last edited by kajalove August 13, 2011 at 08:05 PM.
Aug 13, 2011 10:32 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangAug 13, 2011 10:32 PM
1,844 Posts
Quote from kajalove :
Hi Everyone -

Is anyone else having trouble with ePrize sweeps today or is it just me? Each one I try and enter, I get a lovely message "An error has occured" - thus, when I trying to enter later, it tells me "You've already entered today, come back tomorrow" - While not critical, it's a major downer when time burgler contests fail!

RF
I just tried the Kia Soul, Polo contest and got the same error.


Btw, does anyone else hate it when a contest has an error and you don't want to try it again in case the entry went through?

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Aug 13, 2011 10:32 PM
27,601 Posts
Joined Dec 2006
suncat77Aug 13, 2011 10:32 PM
27,601 Posts
Quote from kajalove :
Hi Everyone -

Is anyone else having trouble with ePrize sweeps today or is it just me? Each one I try and enter, I get a lovely message "An error has occured" - thus, when I trying to enter later, it tells me "You've already entered today, come back tomorrow" - While not critical, it's a major downer when time burgler contests fail!

RF
I'm having the same problems, probably on 8 or more instant win contests I was trying. All ePrize, like you.
Aug 13, 2011 11:09 PM
6 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
JKrabbieAug 13, 2011 11:09 PM
6 Posts
Quote from implode :
I would look up the DNS records of the website, see if maybe a phone # is listed for individual who created them....

this can be done by going here:
http://network-tools.com/

using that sites it shows site was registed by go daddy:
http://who.godaddy.com/whois.aspx...id=GoDaddy

Technical Contact:
Private, Registration [email protected]
Domains by Proxy, Inc.
DomainsByProxy.com
15111 N. Hayden Rd., Ste 160, PMB 353
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
(480) 624-2599 Fax -- (480) 624-2598

Googling Domains by proxy...we come up with this little tidbit:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

People complaining they are a front for hackers, scammer, and spammers....seems to coincide with your concerns.

Thanks for the heads up. This was what I suspected. More trouble than it's worth. Nice heads up to other sweepers to avoid these two sites. If it turns out I get the card, I will let everyone know.
Aug 14, 2011 02:03 AM
118,456 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeAug 14, 2011 02:03 AM
118,456 Posts
Quote from JKrabbie :
Thanks for the heads up. This was what I suspected. More trouble than it's worth. Nice heads up to other sweepers to avoid these two sites. If it turns out I get the card, I will let everyone know.
You may wish to contact the companies being imitated and see if their legal team will work to get them shut down. If they are not aware of the problem, they can't do anything about it. I would think most companies want to protect their image.
Aug 14, 2011 10:05 AM
1,430 Posts
Joined Sep 2010
mj025Aug 14, 2011 10:05 AM
1,430 Posts
Anyone know why the Staples PC-a-Day giveaway was deleted? (wasn't my post) It appeared legit, domain wasn't registered by Staples but Sapient. And I see that Staples is or was a client. I didn't see a press release, but I did see "PC-a-Day Giveaway" on a Staples link on Google when I googled 'Staples "Pc-a-Day"', it didn't come up in the link but in the search blurb;
Quote :
www.staples.com/ - Cached
Shop Staples for office supplies, printer ink, toner, copy paper, technology, electronics & office furniture. ... PC-a-Day Giveaway. ... Show stock quote for SPLS
http://www.mypcsavings.com/ is the site... which is now active.

Didn't want to repost if there was a reason (maybe the OP killed it to repost today?)

-MJ
Aug 15, 2011 03:17 AM
1,548 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
xphiletcAug 15, 2011 03:17 AM
1,548 Posts
Hi everyone - my question is: do you keep a list of things that you have submitted your entries for that way if you get something in the mail or a phone call you can immediately refer back to what they are talking about?
Aug 15, 2011 03:23 AM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangAug 15, 2011 03:23 AM
1,844 Posts
Quote from xphiletc :
Hi everyone - my question is: do you keep a list of things that you have submitted your entries for that way if you get something in the mail or a phone call you can immediately refer back to what they are talking about?
Nope. The best I do is read the "notification" part of the rules of every contest so I know if they're supposed to contact me first or not.

It's probably a good idea to do it your way.
Aug 15, 2011 06:53 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangAug 15, 2011 06:53 PM
1,844 Posts
I have a question for everyone. Does anyone look at the ARV of a prize and not enter the contest because the taxes on it would be so massive?

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Aug 15, 2011 07:10 PM
118,456 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeAug 15, 2011 07:10 PM
118,456 Posts
Quote from Jang :
I have a question for everyone. Does anyone look at the ARV of a prize and not enter the contest because the taxes on it would be so massive?
Yes. I've also seen the suggest MSRP be so inflated on some contests that it would be cheaper to buy the item myself.

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