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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

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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 14, 2012 03:31 AM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648Oct 14, 2012 03:31 AM
26,018 Posts
Quote from BeBe2008 :
Is there a free version of Roboform or do they only do 30 day trial? I thought I remember years ago completely free version.
I've been using the free trial version for almost 2 years now. Big Grin I don't use the passcards, just the Fill Forms, and, in conjunction with Chrome's autofill, works just fine for me.
Oct 14, 2012 02:33 PM
43,372 Posts
Joined Mar 2006
DeegeedeegeeOct 14, 2012 02:33 PM
43,372 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
I've been using the free trial version for almost 2 years now. Big Grin I don't use the passcards, just the Fill Forms, and, in conjunction with Chrome's autofill, works just fine for me.

Thanks, I'll give that a try Big Grin
Oct 15, 2012 06:38 PM
23,805 Posts
Joined Jan 2010
countylineOct 15, 2012 06:38 PM
23,805 Posts
Quote from implode :
Anyone else encounter problem with newest FF and newest version of robo? Secondary browsers open without robo and no way to add it. I'm kind of screwed now on entering Frown
Mine started doing that too if I just left clicked on entry links, if I right click/open in new window roboform works. My big gripe right now is roboform is filling LOTS of fields incorrectly for some reason.
Oct 15, 2012 06:40 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeOct 15, 2012 06:40 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from countyline :
Mine started doing that too if I just left clicked on entry links, if I right click/open in new window roboform works. My big gripe right now is roboform is filling LOTS of fields incorrectly for some reason.
I've been on robo forums, now escalated problem up to develops level. I'm like an hour behind today because of this, it is really starting to tick me off. Ruining my routine.
Oct 15, 2012 06:45 PM
23,805 Posts
Joined Jan 2010
countylineOct 15, 2012 06:45 PM
23,805 Posts
Quote from implode :
I've been on robo forums, now escalated problem up to develops level. I'm like an hour behind today because of this, it is really starting to tick me off. Ruining my routine.
I know the feeling. Hope they get it fixed soon!
Oct 15, 2012 06:46 PM
1,145 Posts
Joined Aug 2008
splatteredOct 15, 2012 06:46 PM
1,145 Posts
ive been using the free trial of roboform for a lonnnng time now, i just use the autofill... what other features could i need? I don't see myself paying for this unless it saved me a LOT of time???
Oct 15, 2012 06:57 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeOct 15, 2012 06:57 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from splattered :
ive been using the free trial of roboform for a lonnnng time now, i just use the autofill... what other features could i need? I don't see myself paying for this unless it saved me a LOT of time???
Well passcards save a page exactly as you want it...if you fill out a form manually the first time, you can avoid hidden fields in a form. Something used to detect form fillers. Not a huge deal, but some places might not love you using form fillers.

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Oct 15, 2012 07:17 PM
1,026 Posts
Joined Apr 2012
karachay40Oct 15, 2012 07:17 PM
1,026 Posts
Did you guys get all of your coor's light master cards from that summer photo contest? I got 3 out of 6 of my cards a while ago and I haven't seen the other three Frown.
Oct 15, 2012 07:17 PM
5,152 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
SweepaholicOct 15, 2012 07:17 PM
5,152 Posts
Quote from karachay40 :
Did you guys get all of your coor's light master cards from that summer photo contest? I got 3 out of 6 of my cards a while ago and I haven't seen the other three Frown.
Some people posted today they got some more in the mail so keep an eye on your mailbox! nod
Oct 15, 2012 07:19 PM
1,026 Posts
Joined Apr 2012
karachay40Oct 15, 2012 07:19 PM
1,026 Posts
Quote from Sweepaholic :
Some people posted today they got some more in the mail so keep an eye on your mailbox! nod
Okay, thanks. That's good news then Smilie
Oct 15, 2012 07:23 PM
1,145 Posts
Joined Aug 2008
splatteredOct 15, 2012 07:23 PM
1,145 Posts
Quote from implode :
Well passcards save a page exactly as you want it...if you fill out a form manually the first time, you can avoid hidden fields in a form. Something used to detect form fillers. Not a huge deal, but some places might not love you using form fillers.
Very interesting... so do you create a passcard for every contest you enter on a daily basis?
Oct 15, 2012 07:28 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeOct 15, 2012 07:28 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from splattered :
Very interesting... so do you create a passcard for every contest you enter on a daily basis?
I really don't care so much about that aspect--I use passcards more for password management aspect. I use a random generator to make new passwords, then save them...I'm afraid of using the same password everywhere. When sites get hacked, you have hackers trying your passwords from cracked sites on emails/social media sites--among others.
Oct 15, 2012 07:37 PM
18 Posts
Joined May 2009
jchenryOct 15, 2012 07:37 PM
18 Posts
Quote from implode :
I really don't care so much about that aspect--I use passcards more for password management aspect. I use a random generator to make new passwords, then save them...I'm afraid of using the same password everywhere. When sites get hacked, you have hackers trying your passwords from cracked sites on emails/social media sites--among others.
Some of the forms also don't auto-fill correctly which is where the passcards work well. Even for ones that do, the passcards are incredibly fast compared to hitting the generic fill then going down to the submit button. I wish I hadn't waited so long to start using them. As for passwords, I have an email account dedicated to sweeps and use a standard password for all of my sweepstakes entries that require one. That way I never have to remember different passwords and it's totally separate from my other accounts.
Oct 15, 2012 10:12 PM
8,994 Posts
Joined Jan 2006
allyn9Oct 15, 2012 10:12 PM
8,994 Posts
Quote from karachay40 :
Did you guys get all of your coor's light master cards from that summer photo contest? I got 3 out of 6 of my cards a while ago and I haven't seen the other three Frown.

My son and I got our first in the mail today - he got 2 and I got 2. I believe I have 2 more coming.

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Oct 16, 2012 01:45 AM
109 Posts
Joined Mar 2011
s1998bOct 16, 2012 01:45 AM
109 Posts
I received an e-mail containing a "Winner Notification Letter" and "Affidavit and Release" at 4:59pm today. The letter is dated October 9, 2012 and states that the completed, signed and notarized Affidavit & Release must be returned to their office within 5 days from the letter. ??!!?? That would have been today. Is this a scam? Normal? Just a typo? Just for reference, this is a Conde Naste publication. I plan to contact the company tomorrow morning, but thought I'd get some advice here first. Thank you. More details on this exciting win later.

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