Slickdeals is community-supported.  We may get paid by brands for deals, including promoted items.
forum threadFreebiesRGreat posted Jun 03, 2008 02:50 AM
forum threadFreebiesRGreat posted Jun 03, 2008 02:50 AM

Contests & Sweepstakes Tips, Advice, and Questions

Sears
2,360,211 Views
See Deal
Good Deal
Save
Share
Deal Details
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.

Community Voting

Deal Score
+99
Good Deal
See Deal

Leave a Comment

Unregistered (You)

9,849 Comments

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jun 15, 2012 12:47 AM
710 Posts
Joined Mar 2009
sandyalipJun 15, 2012 12:47 AM
710 Posts
Quote from Cheez01 :
How do you stay motivated when just starting out? I can never seem to keep at it for the months it takes for the first wins to roll in. I get discouraged after a few weeks and end up giving up. Rinse and repeat a few months later.
I like to read what everyone else wins. I know if they could win something so can I. We all get discouraged, but you have to keep at it. My biggest wins were when I just started sweeping-and then I got hooked.
Jun 15, 2012 01:02 AM
710 Posts
Joined Mar 2009
sandyalipJun 15, 2012 01:02 AM
710 Posts
Why do my facebook pages occassionally jump?
Jun 15, 2012 01:42 AM
192 Posts
Joined Mar 2009
Cheez01Jun 15, 2012 01:42 AM
192 Posts
Quote from sandyalip :
I like to read what everyone else wins. I know if they could win something so can I. We all get discouraged, but you have to keep at it. My biggest wins were when I just started sweeping-and then I got hooked.
Yeah, reading your sig just gave me a little boost Stick Out Tongue

Thanks for the tips everyone. I entered a bunch today, and I plan to get at least a few entries in every day from now on. I'll keep at it and hopefully have something nice to show for it before the summer ends.

Another newb question: Sweeps always say they'll contact you by email, mail, and/or phone. What's the most common? I worry because I'm a lot more likely to ignore a phone call from a number I don't recognize than to miss an email or letter.
Jun 15, 2012 01:47 AM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangJun 15, 2012 01:47 AM
1,844 Posts
Quote from Cheez01 :
Yeah, reading your sig just gave me a little boost Stick Out Tongue

Thanks for the tips everyone. I entered a bunch today, and I plan to get at least a few entries in every day from now on. I'll keep at it and hopefully have something nice to show for it before the summer ends.

Another newb question: Sweeps always say they'll contact you by email, mail, and/or phone. What's the most common? I worry because I'm a lot more likely to ignore a phone call from a number I don't recognize than to miss an email or letter.

Usually email. Larger wins are usually by phone, at least in my case.

I always check how they're going to contact me so I at least know that I won't have to check a website or for a FB announcement.

Btw, all of my larger wins have been from single entry sweepstakes so don't feel like you have to spend hours a day to win something.
Jun 15, 2012 03:14 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJun 15, 2012 03:14 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from Cheez01 :
Yeah, reading your sig just gave me a little boost Stick Out Tongue

Thanks for the tips everyone. I entered a bunch today, and I plan to get at least a few entries in every day from now on. I'll keep at it and hopefully have something nice to show for it before the summer ends.

Another newb question: Sweeps always say they'll contact you by email, mail, and/or phone. What's the most common? I worry because I'm a lot more likely to ignore a phone call from a number I don't recognize than to miss an email or letter.
I want to say:
85% Email
10% By phone
5% By Mail

I always pick up my phone, any company worth their salt will respect your privacy. 1) I'm on do not call lists 2) I always opt out of sales calls. Company doesn't have a good privacy policy don't enter, nor buy their products.
Jun 15, 2012 07:16 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangJun 15, 2012 07:16 PM
1,844 Posts
I've having some trouble with FaceBook sweepstakes today. The app is off center and screwed up...just wondering if anyone else is having that problem or if it's just me. It looks the same in both FireFox and Chrome.
Jun 15, 2012 07:44 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJun 15, 2012 07:44 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from Jang :
I've having some trouble with FaceBook sweepstakes today. The app is off center and screwed up...just wondering if anyone else is having that problem or if it's just me. It looks the same in both FireFox and Chrome.
had some like that, but you could tab down to actual entry...

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jun 15, 2012 07:45 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangJun 15, 2012 07:45 PM
1,844 Posts
Quote from implode :
had some like that, but you could tab down to actual entry...
Thanks for the reply. I could get to the entry button but it wouldn't work. Weird.
Jun 16, 2012 02:49 PM
208 Posts
Joined May 2009
empyreanJun 16, 2012 02:49 PM
208 Posts
Quote from Jang :
I've having some trouble with FaceBook sweepstakes today. The app is off center and screwed up...just wondering if anyone else is having that problem or if it's just me. It looks the same in both FireFox and Chrome.
I'm having that problem today. My first instinct is to tab, but that isn't working either on a lot of them and they won't submit. Tried in both FF and Chrome (wouldn't touch IE with a ten foot pole laugh out loud); same problem. It is happening with the Buddymedia FB sweeps for me.
Last edited by empyrean June 16, 2012 at 08:25 AM.
Jun 16, 2012 08:45 PM
192 Posts
Joined Mar 2009
Cheez01Jun 16, 2012 08:45 PM
192 Posts
Are you allowed to sell/gift any part of a prize you win since it becomes your property, or does saying "prizes are non-transferrable" in the terms prohibit that?
Jun 16, 2012 08:57 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangJun 16, 2012 08:57 PM
1,844 Posts
Quote from Cheez01 :
Are you allowed to sell/gift any part of a prize you win since it becomes your property, or does saying "prizes are non-transferrable" in the terms prohibit that?
I'm not positive but my understanding is that no one but you can accept the prize and if it's something like a vacation, only you can take it.

I don't see why you couldn't sell a prize. I won an iPad back in January and I sold it to get a different tablet I wanted.
Last edited by Jang June 16, 2012 at 01:59 PM.
Jun 16, 2012 11:24 PM
200 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
wc0904Jun 16, 2012 11:24 PM
200 Posts
Quote from Cheez01 :
Are you allowed to sell/gift any part of a prize you win since it becomes your property, or does saying "prizes are non-transferrable" in the terms prohibit that?
I agree with Jang. When they say "non-transferable" I take that to mean you can't say something along the lines of "Oh, I'm going to let Uncle Bob take this win" leaving him with the responsibilities of tax, etc. I think it just means they will only handle transferring ownership of the prize to the winner of the contest.
Jun 17, 2012 12:43 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJun 17, 2012 12:43 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from Cheez01 :
Are you allowed to sell/gift any part of a prize you win since it becomes your property, or does saying "prizes are non-transferrable" in the terms prohibit that?
You can do what you want with your prize after you receive it...but for tax purposes you are still on the hook. The most notable exception to this is trip wins, probably won't be able to transfer over credentials/plane tickets to someone else. Also read the rules carefully, some contests have clauses about returning the prize if asked to the judging agency.
Jun 17, 2012 12:53 AM
192 Posts
Joined Mar 2009
Cheez01Jun 17, 2012 12:53 AM
192 Posts
Thanks again guys nod

Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.

Jun 17, 2012 08:06 AM
1,998 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
fruitdog69Jun 17, 2012 08:06 AM
1,998 Posts
Quote from implode :
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.
They would announce using your real name, not your fb name, right?

Leave a Comment

Unregistered (You)

Related Searches

Popular Deals

Trending Deals