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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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Oct 08, 2012 08:52 PM
5,152 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
SweepaholicOct 08, 2012 08:52 PM
5,152 Posts
Quote from spooerman :
http://www.facebook.com/PDXLAN/po...7972027811


they are mad a sweeper won LOL
EEK! at the comments about sweepers..they are making us sound like such horrible monsters laugh out loud
Global Mod
Oct 08, 2012 09:07 PM
4,819 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
SpaceCallahan
Global Mod
Oct 08, 2012 09:07 PM
4,819 Posts
Quote from Sweepaholic :
EEK! at the comments about sweepers..they are making us sound like such horrible monsters laugh out loud

Im starting to feel bad LOL
Oct 08, 2012 09:07 PM
3,486 Posts
Joined Dec 2006
jbaby13Oct 08, 2012 09:07 PM
3,486 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
LOL! It's their own damn fault.....should limit the entries to 1 per person.

Love this part of the post: That said, we are investigating this person, and are considering amending the rules to disqualify FB profile pages that are not "personal" or "nothing but sweeps".

Wonder HTH they're going to do that? They're going to open themselves up to a lot more crap if they try.
This is one of the reasons why I never enter into sweeps that don't have a limit. Someone is always going to want it more and enter in for hours each day. I don't have that kind of time. I also don't do voting sweeps, I really don't feel like begging strangers for votes to try and get thousands of votes to win.

They are all upset that it went to a 'sweeper' but that sweeper probably reached more people and brought more 'likes' to the site then any other person out there, which isn't the intent of most of these contest advertising?
Global Mod
Oct 08, 2012 09:13 PM
4,819 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
SpaceCallahan
Global Mod
Oct 08, 2012 09:13 PM
4,819 Posts
they deleted the the thread and posted this http://www.facebook.com/PDXLAN/po...0565358885
Oct 08, 2012 09:16 PM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Oct 08, 2012 09:16 PM
26,018 Posts
Quote from Sweepaholic :
EEK! at the comments about sweepers..they are making us sound like such horrible monsters laugh out loud
I had to quit reading their comments because they were making me laugh so hard I almost peed my pants. laugh out loud Poor cry babies. Wink
Quote from jbaby13 :
This is one of the reasons why I never enter into sweeps that don't have a limit. Someone is always going to want it more and enter in for hours each day. I don't have that kind of time. I also don't do voting sweeps, I really don't feel like begging strangers for votes to try and get thousands of votes to win.

They are all upset that it went to a 'sweeper' but that sweeper probably reached more people and brought more 'likes' to the site then any other person out there, which isn't the intent of most of these contest advertising?
Don't think it was unlimited entries, but, yeah, a sweeper won, and got extra entries for sharing the contest on her wall & having her friends enter, thus creating exposure & likes for the sponsors page. I agree, that's what they want, and if they don't, then just limit entries to 1 per person, period.
Oct 08, 2012 09:35 PM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Oct 08, 2012 09:35 PM
26,018 Posts
Heads-up for all you sweepers living in California - looks like, starting in January, you're finally going to quit being excluded from the sweeps sponsored by booze companies.

October 6, 2012

Governor Brown Signs into Law Sweepstakes and Contests Bill for Wine, Beer and Spirits Licensees

Governor Jerry Brown has signed the Wine Institute-sponsored SB 778, the bill that allows manufacturers or licensed suppliers of wine, beer or spirits to conduct consumer sweepstakes and contests in California. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2013.

Californians will now be able to join consumers in the other 49 states to enter a sweepstakes or contest conducted by a manufacturer or supplier of wine, beer, or spirits.


http://naturalresourcereport.com/...akes-bill/
Oct 09, 2012 01:10 AM
313 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
caitybatesOct 09, 2012 01:10 AM
313 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
Heads-up for all you sweepers living in California - looks like, starting in January, you're finally going to quit being excluded from the sweeps sponsored by booze companies.

October 6, 2012

Governor Brown Signs into Law Sweepstakes and Contests Bill for Wine, Beer and Spirits Licensees

Governor Jerry Brown has signed the Wine Institute-sponsored SB 778, the bill that allows manufacturers or licensed suppliers of wine, beer or spirits to conduct consumer sweepstakes and contests in California. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2013.

Californians will now be able to join consumers in the other 49 states to enter a sweepstakes or contest conducted by a manufacturer or supplier of wine, beer, or spirits.


http://naturalresourcereport.com/...akes-bill/
MLx3, you do nothing but bring good news to my life.

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Oct 09, 2012 01:20 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Oct 09, 2012 01:20 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from caitybates :
MLx3, you do nothing but bring good news to my life.
Cheers
Oct 09, 2012 02:18 AM
205 Posts
Joined May 2010
kajaloveOct 09, 2012 02:18 AM
205 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
Heads-up for all you sweepers living in California - looks like, starting in January, you're finally going to quit being excluded from the sweeps sponsored by booze companies.

October 6, 2012

Governor Brown Signs into Law Sweepstakes and Contests Bill for Wine, Beer and Spirits Licensees

Governor Jerry Brown has signed the Wine Institute-sponsored SB 778, the bill that allows manufacturers or licensed suppliers of wine, beer or spirits to conduct consumer sweepstakes and contests in California. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2013.

Californians will now be able to join consumers in the other 49 states to enter a sweepstakes or contest conducted by a manufacturer or supplier of wine, beer, or spirits.


http://naturalresourcereport.com/...akes-bill/
WHOOO-HOOO! I'll drink to that!! Thanks for sharing, MLx3!!

I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Our cutting edge legislature have been busy running businesses out from the state, so it's great to see they've finally agreed Alcohol sweeps and promotions over $3.00 doesn't create naked liquor monsters on every street corner.

Cheers to 2013!

Now... if we can get FL, NY and RI to drop the deposit/bond requirements, etc.
Oct 09, 2012 02:48 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Oct 09, 2012 02:48 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from kajalove :
WHOOO-HOOO! I'll drink to that!! Thanks for sharing, MLx3!!

I can't tell you how excited I am about this. Our cutting edge legislature have been busy running businesses out from the state, so it's great to see they've finally agreed Alcohol sweeps and promotions over $3.00 doesn't create naked liquor monsters on every street corner.

Cheers to 2013!

Now... if we can get FL, NY and RI to drop the deposit/bond requirements, etc.
Cheers Cheers to 2013 & naked liquor monsters! Biggrin2

Next stop, FL, NY & RI and their bondage, er, ummm, bond requirements. Evil
Oct 09, 2012 03:11 PM
67 Posts
Joined Mar 2008
ITAF3CanOct 09, 2012 03:11 PM
67 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
Heads-up for all you sweepers living in California - looks like, starting in January, you're finally going to quit being excluded from the sweeps sponsored by booze companies.

October 6, 2012

Governor Brown Signs into Law Sweepstakes and Contests Bill for Wine, Beer and Spirits Licensees

Governor Jerry Brown has signed the Wine Institute-sponsored SB 778, the bill that allows manufacturers or licensed suppliers of wine, beer or spirits to conduct consumer sweepstakes and contests in California. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2013.

Californians will now be able to join consumers in the other 49 states to enter a sweepstakes or contest conducted by a manufacturer or supplier of wine, beer, or spirits.


http://naturalresourcereport.com/...akes-bill/
Good information, but terrible for the rest of us. I doubt prize pools will be adjusted upward to accommodate for the increase in eligible participants.
Oct 09, 2012 06:02 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeOct 09, 2012 06:02 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from ITAF3Can :
Good information, but terrible for the rest of us. I doubt prize pools will be adjusted upward to accommodate for the increase in eligible participants.
Assuming all states enter about the same, what difference is 49 mil to 1 vs 50 mil to 1. Is that additional 2% entering really going to hurt you that much? I'm not a California resident, but I say about darn time. I think your are going about entering wrong with that attitude. I figure enter enough, and wins will come with time. I think globally and pass along contests. I would rather someone here wins, even if it means hurting my chances over the broader scheme of things.
Oct 10, 2012 10:10 PM
264 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
DCFreebiesOct 10, 2012 10:10 PM
264 Posts
Is there anyone I can PM here with knowledge of sweepstakes rules? I won a fairly large prize, but am having some publicity release problems. They won't give me the prize without me signing over my life to them.
Oct 10, 2012 10:22 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeOct 10, 2012 10:22 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from DCFreebies :
Is there anyone I can PM here with knowledge of sweepstakes rules? I won a fairly large prize, but am having some publicity release problems. They won't give me the prize without me signing over my life to them.
I would be happy to discuss this matter with you, I'm pretty good with rules. Ultimately what you agree to will boil down to comfort level. They can put any number of stipulations on claiming a prize they want to sadly.

I've had prizes where I had to take a picture with the prize and post on facebook before. Also had some times where they wanted to post my name and city online. Ultimately it was worth it. Though other situations may vary, especially if it is a tiny prize. Or a prize so large people will hassle you over it (such as a large cash prize, I wouldn't want that type of publicity).

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Oct 10, 2012 11:03 PM
264 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
DCFreebiesOct 10, 2012 11:03 PM
264 Posts
Quote from implode :
I would be happy to discuss this matter with you, I'm pretty good with rules. Ultimately what you agree to will boil down to comfort level. They can put any number of stipulations on claiming a prize they want to sadly.

I've had prizes where I had to take a picture with the prize and post on facebook before. Also had some times where they wanted to post my name and city online. Ultimately it was worth it. Though other situations may vary, especially if it is a tiny prize. Or a prize so large people will hassle you over it (such as a large cash prize, I wouldn't want that type of publicity).
Thank you! YHPM.

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