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

Contests & Sweepstakes Tips, Advice, and Questions

Sears
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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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Sep 05, 2012 08:32 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Sep 05, 2012 08:32 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from lah123 :
Thank you so very much! :-) Still wish I could rep you.. But I will be able too soon.
You're welcome. Don't worry about the reps, I'm happy to help.
Sep 05, 2012 08:37 AM
1,344 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
law123Sep 05, 2012 08:37 AM
1,344 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
You're welcome. Don't worry about the reps, I'm happy to help.
My new name should be law123.. maybe no one has this name. And Thank You!
Sep 05, 2012 09:08 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Sep 05, 2012 09:08 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from lah123 :
My new name should be law123.. maybe no one has this name. And Thank You!
I just did a search by user name, and law123 did not show up, so doesn't look like that user name is being used by anyone else. When you submit your request for a new user name, one of the mods will take care of it. If not, you can send a PM to one of them, and they should be able to fix you right up.
Sep 05, 2012 10:02 AM
1,344 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
law123Sep 05, 2012 10:02 AM
1,344 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
I just did a search by user name, and law123 did not show up, so doesn't look like that user name is being used by anyone else. When you submit your request for a new user name, one of the mods will take care of it. If not, you can send a PM to one of them, and they should be able to fix you right up.
I sent one earlier, so maybe I get my name changed to my new one and Thanks again Wink
Sep 05, 2012 01:52 PM
5,152 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
SweepaholicSep 05, 2012 01:52 PM
5,152 Posts
UPS alert Cokem international, .80lbs anyone else get one? Any ideas?
Sep 05, 2012 02:47 PM
2,272 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
kdka421Sep 05, 2012 02:47 PM
2,272 Posts
Quote from mikenmike0001 :
Maybe I'll give my phone number. I figured if I put in a fake phone number and they can't reach me there, then they can contact one of my junk e-mail accounts that I registered with that I check every couple of days and verify the win that way. Would they try to contact you both ways or just pick and choose one way and then go to the next person if say, they can't reach you by phone?
Each contest is different. However, there have been multiple reports of contests which will only notify by phone, and if they don't reach the winner via phone, they will simply try to call someone else, and that first potential 'winner' will miss out on the prize.
Sep 05, 2012 06:02 PM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Sep 05, 2012 06:02 PM
26,018 Posts
Quote from law123 :
I sent one earlier, so maybe I get my name changed to my new one and Thanks again Wink
Looks like it worked....you're now law123.

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Sep 05, 2012 08:21 PM
1,344 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
law123Sep 05, 2012 08:21 PM
1,344 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
Looks like it worked....you're now law123.
Yelp I am :-) Thank you for helping me bounce
Sep 06, 2012 02:14 AM
2,976 Posts
Joined Jan 2009
mikenmike0001Sep 06, 2012 02:14 AM
2,976 Posts
Quote from kdka421 :
Each contest is different. However, there have been multiple reports of contests which will only notify by phone, and if they don't reach the winner via phone, they will simply try to call someone else, and that first potential 'winner' will miss out on the prize.
Ok. I better look into a Google Voice or alternative to get another phone number first. Thanks.
Sep 06, 2012 03:54 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeSep 06, 2012 03:54 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from mikenmike0001 :
Ok. I better look into a Google Voice or alternative to get another phone number first. Thanks.
How many times do you think people are going to call you with solicitations...in 6+ years, and entering 100's of times a day everyday, I have only gotten a handful of calls. That is less then the number of times I have been called about wins. Legit companies do not harass you. If you are getting a ton of timeshare pitches and other scams, perhaps its time to be more careful about what you are entering?
Sep 06, 2012 03:57 AM
744 Posts
Joined Nov 2008
mike34Sep 06, 2012 03:57 AM
744 Posts
Quote from implode :
How many times do you think people are going to call you with solicitations...in 6+ years, and entering 100's of times a day everyday, I have only gotten a handful of calls. That is less then the number of times I have been called about wins. Legit companies do not harass you. If you are getting a ton of timeshare pitches and other scams, perhaps its time to be more careful about what you are entering?
This has been my experience as well.
Sep 06, 2012 04:22 AM
2,976 Posts
Joined Jan 2009
mikenmike0001Sep 06, 2012 04:22 AM
2,976 Posts
delete...
Sep 06, 2012 04:30 AM
543 Posts
Joined Jun 2012
coonrad78Sep 06, 2012 04:30 AM
543 Posts
1lb package coming from mercury promotions weight 3lbs
Sep 06, 2012 04:37 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Sep 06, 2012 04:37 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from implode :
How many times do you think people are going to call you with solicitations...in 6+ years, and entering 100's of times a day everyday, I have only gotten a handful of calls. That is less then the number of times I have been called about wins. Legit companies do not harass you.
If you are getting a ton of timeshare pitches and other scams, perhaps its time to be more careful about what you are entering?
If you read back, mikenmike0001 hasn't actually entered any sweepstakes yet. He is thinking of starting, and was just asking questions on how they work, how much spam people get, setting up separate phone #s & email addresses for sweeping, etc.

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Sep 06, 2012 11:19 AM
9,879 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
whocares13Sep 06, 2012 11:19 AM
9,879 Posts
Is it necessary to like every facebook page sweeps. Sometimes there is written MUST like. That make sense but what about rest??

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