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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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Apr 19, 2012 12:57 AM
561 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
maxximilianApr 19, 2012 12:57 AM
561 Posts
Is it just my imagination or are most sweeps tilted toward women? Once you remove the unisex sweep prizes like electronics, gift cards, cash, etc.....it seems like there is way more sweeps geared to the ladies than to men. Spa trips, cosmetics, creams and gels seem to outnumber the weapons, tool and assorted anti-zombie prizes. What gives?
Apr 19, 2012 01:21 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Apr 19, 2012 01:21 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from maxximilian :
Is it just my imagination or are most sweeps tilted toward women? Once you remove the unisex sweep prizes like electronics, gift cards, cash, etc.....it seems like there is way more sweeps geared to the ladies than to men. Spa trips, cosmetics, creams and gels seem to outnumber the weapons, tool and assorted anti-zombie prizes. What gives?
Could it be 'cuz girls rule, boys drool? Eyelash
Apr 19, 2012 01:26 AM
1,299 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
vernfonzndrianApr 19, 2012 01:26 AM
1,299 Posts
Dumb Q:
Today I received a surprise in the mail, it was a "Mirror Mirror" movie book. I remember entering for a couple of "Mirror Mirror" giveaways, but I don't recall any of the prizes being only for a book. Anyhoo, the prize came from Big Honcho Media, and said congrats on winning the prize pack. I'm wondering if I should expect more to come, or is the book the "prize pack"? lol Confused
Apr 19, 2012 01:34 AM
561 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
maxximilianApr 19, 2012 01:34 AM
561 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
Could it be 'cuz girls rule, boys drool? Eyelash
You'll think differently when the zombies come and all you have is a spa-finder card and a bottle of wrinkle cream. You will wish we had more machete, hatchet and AR-15 sweeps.Big Grin
Apr 19, 2012 01:39 AM
1,991 Posts
Joined Mar 2008
subzero9001Apr 19, 2012 01:39 AM
1,991 Posts
Quote from vernfonzndrian :
Dumb Q:
Today I received a surprise in the mail, it was a "Mirror Mirror" movie book. I remember entering for a couple of "Mirror Mirror" giveaways, but I don't recall any of the prizes being only for a book. Anyhoo, the prize came from Big Honcho Media, and said congrats on winning the prize pack. I'm wondering if I should expect more to come, or is the book the "prize pack"? lol Confused
it could be from this sweepstakes http://slickdeals.net/f/4127149-Fandango-Mirror-Mirror-Prize-Pack-Giveaway-3-30-12?v=1 Smilie
Apr 19, 2012 01:43 AM
1,299 Posts
Joined Nov 2007
vernfonzndrianApr 19, 2012 01:43 AM
1,299 Posts
Quote from subzero9001 :
it could be from this sweepstakes http://slickdeals.net/f/4127149-Fandango-Mirror-Mirror-Prize-Pack-Giveaway-3-30-12?v=1 Smilie
That's what I was thinking. But since it was just the book, I wasn't sure. lol I jzt find it funny that they would ship everything separate. But who knows.Confused
Apr 19, 2012 02:08 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Apr 19, 2012 02:08 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from maxximilian :
You'll think differently when the zombies come and all you have is a spa-finder card and a bottle of wrinkle cream. You will wish we had more machete, hatchet and AR-15 sweeps.Big Grin
Oh, I don't go for all those girlie goop prizes myself, and not worried a bit about the inevitable zombie invasion - we're prepared.....watched Zombieland so many times, have all the "rules" memorized, and emergency procedures & tools/weapons in place. laugh out loud
(oh, and girls still rule btw)

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Apr 19, 2012 02:35 AM
561 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
maxximilianApr 19, 2012 02:35 AM
561 Posts
I've actually started entering more of the girlie sweeps. I figure between now and Christmas, I can win enough items to cover me for sister and nieces gifts. Besides, I was running out of sweeps to enter.....
Apr 19, 2012 02:35 AM
118,456 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeApr 19, 2012 02:35 AM
118,456 Posts
Funny thing is girlie contests don't dissuade me...may avoid trips, but cosmetics score me all kind of brownie points. I'm first on the list to receive baked goods and other more personal perks.
Apr 19, 2012 02:55 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Apr 19, 2012 02:55 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from maxximilian :
I've actually started entering more of the girlie sweeps. I figure between now and Christmas, I can win enough items to cover me for sister and nieces gifts. Besides, I was running out of sweeps to enter.....
The girlie sweeps wins do indeed come in handy come Christmastime. Last year, between freebies and wins here & there, I was able to keep myself, 2 daughters, 2 sisters and 2 nieces scrubbed, moisturized, polished, made-up, and smelling good. Girly
Apr 19, 2012 03:58 PM
68,718 Posts
Joined Sep 2007
RyardApr 19, 2012 03:58 PM
68,718 Posts
Quote from maxximilian :
I've actually started entering more of the girlie sweeps. I figure between now and Christmas, I can win enough items to cover me for sister and nieces gifts. Besides, I was running out of sweeps to enter.....
Wow! I wish I had enough free time to run out of sweeps to enter. EEK!
Apr 19, 2012 04:29 PM
561 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
maxximilianApr 19, 2012 04:29 PM
561 Posts
Quote from Ryard :
Wow! I wish I had enough free time to run out of sweeps to enter. EEK!
I wish I didn't have so much time. I'm in the construction business and lots of us waiting for a phone call to go back to work. I think I would have pulled my hair out had I not gotten into this sweeping thing. It keeps me occupied.... Wink
Apr 19, 2012 09:32 PM
1,145 Posts
Joined Aug 2008
splatteredApr 19, 2012 09:32 PM
1,145 Posts
In lots of rules i see postings about not being able to use bots/scripts/automated means to enter... i think i've mentioned this before but i wonder how many disqualifications i've received for using Roboform haha ... I work a full time job and i just DO NOT have the time to go through my big list of contests and enter each manually... i wonder if i've ever gotten rejected because of that. ??? :/
Apr 19, 2012 09:45 PM
118,456 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeApr 19, 2012 09:45 PM
118,456 Posts
Quote from splattered :
In lots of rules i see postings about not being able to use bots/scripts/automated means to enter... i think i've mentioned this before but i wonder how many disqualifications i've received for using Roboform haha ... I work a full time job and i just DO NOT have the time to go through my big list of contests and enter each manually... i wonder if i've ever gotten rejected because of that. ??? :/
I'm sure people get disqualified and blacklisted all the time. I see people mark contests I posted 'Thank You' and sometimes they are not even from a qualifying state to enter. I get the impression that some people don't read the rules either out of laziness or they just don't care. The implications of that is they may lose out on contests they are eligible for.

I think some contests may be anti robo form and view that as cheating. Different people interpret rules differently. Just as the people entering them may do so. With complex lawyer speak everyone has made a mistake now and then. But you can't really worry about roboform DQing you. What about people with robo use for disability of some sort??? Bad precedent to DQ those people.

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Apr 19, 2012 10:18 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangApr 19, 2012 10:18 PM
1,844 Posts
I wonder how Roboform works in that regard. Does it simulate very fast key presses or does it just paste in information when filling forms?

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