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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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Jun 06, 2012 08:13 PM
200 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
wc0904Jun 06, 2012 08:13 PM
200 Posts
Quote from purplekitty :
Are you a member of Crowdtap? I just received a 4lb package today from Phoenix Lithographic for the America's Next Top Wooliteer from Crowdtap.

Party Kit Items

1 Woolite® Swag Bag packed with:
-1 America's Next Top Wooliteer Sampling Party Booklet
-3 dry erase boards
-Dry erase markers
-1 set of Woolite® Great Denim Survey trivia cards
-10 Woolite® Extra Dark samples for you and your guests
Ahh, that's what it is! Thank you!
Jun 07, 2012 03:06 AM
13 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
dottybeanJun 07, 2012 03:06 AM
13 Posts
I have a question about facebook contests. If I am a winner do they rely on me noticing this on facebook on my newsfeed? Or do they email me to let me know as well?

I would hate to miss a prize notification because I was skimming through all the junk on my news feed...
Jun 07, 2012 03:23 AM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangJun 07, 2012 03:23 AM
1,844 Posts
Quote from dottybean :
I have a question about facebook contests. If I am a winner do they rely on me noticing this on facebook on my newsfeed? Or do they email me to let me know as well?

I would hate to miss a prize notification because I was skimming through all the junk on my news feed...
It really just depends on the rules. Lots of them announce on FB itself. Some email. Some do both.
Jun 07, 2012 03:30 AM
13 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
dottybeanJun 07, 2012 03:30 AM
13 Posts
So is there a method that you use to find your name amongst all that blurb??
Jun 07, 2012 03:45 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJun 07, 2012 03:45 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from dottybean :
I have a question about facebook contests. If I am a winner do they rely on me noticing this on facebook on my newsfeed? Or do they email me to let me know as well?

I would hate to miss a prize notification because I was skimming through all the junk on my news feed...
A good method I use to see if I'm a winner on facebook (since I frequently remove threads posting privledges to my news feed) is following google search:

"My Name" facebook winner
(you can even view from a certain time period--by day, week, month, year).

Make sure you to use quotes on your name...instead of my name, you would use first then last name or first name last initial.
Jun 07, 2012 03:46 AM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangJun 07, 2012 03:46 AM
1,844 Posts
Quote from dottybean :
So is there a method that you use to find your name amongst all that blurb??
I read the rules ahead of time and note if they don't mention a contact method other than announcing the names and if they don't I try my best to remember that giveaway.

I've probably missed a few small things in the past. =/
Jun 07, 2012 04:04 AM
681 Posts
Joined Apr 2012
osidingJun 07, 2012 04:04 AM
681 Posts
Hi!
Today I received message on my cell phone,that I won 1000 Walmart gift card...ha....
[url] is that s.p,a.m?

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Jun 07, 2012 04:46 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Jun 07, 2012 04:46 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from osiding :
Hi!
Today I received message on my cell phone,that I won 1000 Walmart gift card...ha....
[url] is that s.p,a.m?
Yes, definitely.
Jun 07, 2012 01:58 PM
13 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
dottybeanJun 07, 2012 01:58 PM
13 Posts
Thanks guys, it does seem quite hit and miss though, I will have to fit a news feed search into my routine I guess.
Jun 07, 2012 11:15 PM
710 Posts
Joined Mar 2009
sandyalipJun 07, 2012 11:15 PM
710 Posts
I got this e-mail from Jet-Mag yesterday

"CONGRATULATIONS!

You have been selected, subject to verification, as a possible Winner of one (1) autographed hardcover copy of T.D. Jakes' Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven in the 2012 Jet Magazine & Atria Books T.D. Jakes Autographed 'Let It Go' Sweepstakes.

In order to continue the prize verification process, please review, complete and sign the attached Affidavit of Eligibility and Release from Liability/Publicity (the "Release"). "

The release, if not notarized, requires a photo id. I hesitate sending them a copy of my driver's license and I don't want to get the release notarized for such a small prize.

I would appreciate any comments.

Quote from osiding :
Hi!
Today I received message on my cell phone,that I won 1000 Walmart gift card...ha....
[url] is that s.p,a.m?

I have won so many $1,000 Walmart cards-I lost count! lol
Last edited by sandyalip June 7, 2012 at 04:16 PM.
Jun 07, 2012 11:37 PM
318 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
bittripfanJun 07, 2012 11:37 PM
318 Posts
Just when I'm about to give up on Twitter parties today I won a $200 Amex ! Big Grin
Jun 08, 2012 12:46 AM
1,998 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
fruitdog69Jun 08, 2012 12:46 AM
1,998 Posts
I won an Amazon MP3 code from the Visa Prepaid IWG. Is that basically just a credit on my Amazon account that can be applied towards anything or is it only good towards the purchase of MP3s?
Jun 08, 2012 12:57 AM
4,088 Posts
Joined Mar 2007
GuillotineJun 08, 2012 12:57 AM
4,088 Posts
Quote from fruitdog69 :
I won an Amazon MP3 code from the Visa Prepaid IWG. Is that basically just a credit on my Amazon account that can be applied towards anything or is it only good towards the purchase of MP3s?
Yes, it's just a good ol' Amazon gift code. Apply to your account and can be used for anything. Smilie
Jun 08, 2012 12:58 AM
200 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
wc0904Jun 08, 2012 12:58 AM
200 Posts
Quote from fruitdog69 :
I won an Amazon MP3 code from the Visa Prepaid IWG. Is that basically just a credit on my Amazon account that can be applied towards anything or is it only good towards the purchase of MP3s?
Its good for anything just a regular amazon card. I won one last month.

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Jun 09, 2012 08:52 AM
3,884 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
sweepstakerJun 09, 2012 08:52 AM
3,884 Posts
Quote from sandyalip :
I got this e-mail from Jet-Mag yesterday

"CONGRATULATIONS!

You have been selected, subject to verification, as a possible Winner of one (1) autographed hardcover copy of T.D. Jakes' Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven in the 2012 Jet Magazine & Atria Books T.D. Jakes Autographed 'Let It Go' Sweepstakes.

In order to continue the prize verification process, please review, complete and sign the attached Affidavit of Eligibility and Release from Liability/Publicity (the "Release"). "

The release, if not notarized, requires a photo id. I hesitate sending them a copy of my driver's license and I don't want to get the release notarized for such a small prize.

I would appreciate any comments.
I received the same email. I'm fairly sure it's legit - Jet magazine has been around for awhile! It's a pain in the butt to have to fill out and notarize an affy for a small prize but I'll probably do it because my bank offers free notary service. As a matter of fact, awhile back, some folks here at SD actually had to get an affidavit notarized for a $5 gift card!!

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