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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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Dec 30, 2012 10:30 PM
4,456 Posts
Joined Jul 2007
lovelyoneDec 30, 2012 10:30 PM
4,456 Posts
Quote from implode :
I find cash pretty hard to bargain for, so that seems doubtful to me. Ran into a similar situation when I won a trip to see the Plain White T's from Hanes last year (2011). They didn't schedule any tour dates for the longest time so I was in limbo on getting my trip and it made scheduling off work tough. I was also in a similar situation in deferring taxes to the next year. Communication at times was pretty poor adding to my frustration.

Additionally their was a booking snafu since my concert was during the holidays. My original place I was booked had a single bed at a bed and breakfast instead of multiple beds. Needless to say, I was not sleeping in the same bed with a family member. found out B&B had a rampant cat problem and smelled like cat pee from trip advisor reviews. But all was well when they changed my accommodations to a hotel. Got to see a good concert, and tour some wineries in Napa.

A good trip is worth the extra effort you may have to put in, keep trying.
Thanks! i was hoping you'd come in here since you have a lot of experience with trips.

I definitely still want the trip, 7 days in Chile is amazing. Plus the hotels all look gorgeous. It is frustrating like you said!

I'll keep trying, Perhaps I'll just cc the sponsor on the emails too to see if that helps. I dont think I'll never get another opportunity like this!
Dec 31, 2012 01:40 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeDec 31, 2012 01:40 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from lovelyone :
Thanks! i was hoping you'd come in here since you have a lot of experience with trips.

I definitely still want the trip, 7 days in Chile is amazing. Plus the hotels all look gorgeous. It is frustrating like you said!

I'll keep trying, Perhaps I'll just cc the sponsor on the emails too to see if that helps. I dont think I'll never get another opportunity like this!
I've only won one out of country trip, they are quite a bit rarer in my opinion. My NZ trip from Kiwi was first class every step if the way. Them and travel agency exceeded my expectations every step of the way. If visiting Chile make sure passport stuff is taken care of way early.
Dec 31, 2012 05:00 AM
3,550 Posts
Joined Nov 2010
wickedsgrl23Dec 31, 2012 05:00 AM
3,550 Posts
Hi all, first want to say Happy Holidays!

So I have a question, I am planning on moving at the beginning of March, don't know where exactly yet address wise, somewhere in my current area though, I was wondering, should I still enter sweeps (or wait until I actually move and settle in) as you know sometimes we win, with no notification and I don't want it sent to my old address...don't know if address change at the PO would help with this or not? I just don't wanna miss out on entering all the good current sweeps! TIA Smilie
Last edited by wickedsgrl23 December 30, 2012 at 09:00 PM.
Dec 31, 2012 03:42 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeDec 31, 2012 03:42 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from willsgrl1423 :
Hi all, first want to say Happy Holidays!

So I have a question, I am planning on moving at the beginning of March, don't know where exactly yet address wise, somewhere in my current area though, I was wondering, should I still enter sweeps (or wait until I actually move and settle in) as you know sometimes we win, with no notification and I don't want it sent to my old address...don't know if address change at the PO would help with this or not? I just don't wanna miss out on entering all the good current sweeps! TIA Smilie
Address change at post office would help a lot with wins by regular mail, system works well. However, its limitations are with secondary providers such as Fed Ex, UPS, DHL, etc etc--those curriers may not catch on and as of me writing this I don't know what they have in place to do rerouting. When it comes down to faith in others, you just can't trust people to be honest with you.

UPS delievered a Micro Chanielle Robe I won one day. I was all psyched up, at it was a $75 prize. Tracking said delivered. Check my porch. Nothing! Check neighbor across the street and porches of nearbye houses--nothing. Turns out neighbor on other side of the street with same street # had gotten it. They signed for the package, even though it was under my name. Took me knocking on the door and asking for them to return it to me. The box was already opened, and it was correctly addressed to me. Creepy mother you know what was gonna steal it had I not knocked on his door. So if someone is willing to steal an item I know is going to be delivered, how would someone feel about taking something I (you) don't know about?

I don't think I would stop entering if I was you...I would however adjust my expectations to maybe not receiving the item. Remember 1) Most big prizes, they will need to verify your info. 2) Most decent prizes have tracking info (sometimes indirectly through myUPS). 3) The person moving in will likely be awesome and nice. I guess what I'm saying is don't spend your life worrying about 'what if'.
Dec 31, 2012 06:49 PM
67 Posts
Joined Mar 2008
ITAF3CanDec 31, 2012 06:49 PM
67 Posts
Quote from willsgrl1423 :
Hi all, first want to say Happy Holidays!

So I have a question, I am planning on moving at the beginning of March, don't know where exactly yet address wise, somewhere in my current area though, I was wondering, should I still enter sweeps (or wait until I actually move and settle in) as you know sometimes we win, with no notification and I don't want it sent to my old address...don't know if address change at the PO would help with this or not? I just don't wanna miss out on entering all the good current sweeps! TIA Smilie
To add to the above, UPS my choice lets you add both addresses so you will at least get a notification of something being delivered to your old address. If interested, I believe the paid my choice allows you to rerout. I moved recently and just continued to enter. If you win, there's a chance you don't get it at the new address. If you don't enter, it's a certainty.

Once you know your new address, consider entering everything with that address from then on, depending on how long it will be until you actually move.
Jan 01, 2013 02:24 AM
43,372 Posts
Joined Mar 2006
DeegeedeegeeJan 01, 2013 02:24 AM
43,372 Posts
Anyone getting "bad request" when submitting some entry forms on facebook today?
Jan 01, 2013 02:39 AM
208 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
koyboyJan 01, 2013 02:39 AM
208 Posts
Sooo.... I'm kinda new to sweeping but i'm not a total noob. I've done some searching along this forum for answers to most of the questions I had when I first started sweeping 3 moths ago and the information/tips you guys share have been super ubber helpful in allowing me to win some pretty nice instant wins (check below & thanks Btw). But I still have a few questions maybe you guys and gals could help me answer please.

Question 1.
I use chrome auto fill via the chrome browser. I know Robform is a popular form filler for most user's. Is it any better than chrome autofill?

Question 2.
Do most of you manually enter all sections of a entry form? I don't know why but I suspect that i'm inadvertently disqualifying myself from most entry's by using chrome autofill.

Question 3.
I enter about 50 single entry contest's a day, 10 weekly contest's per week and about 26 instant daily sweeps a day. I haven't hit a sizable single entry win yet . I know it's a chance game and it could take weeks/months for them to declare a winner. Should I step up my game or keep the same pace?

last question.
I'm aware that for most big wins you either get a phone call or affy in the mail. I use youmail http://www.youmail.com/ service for my voicemail. It's and intercept incoming calling service that gives you additional voicemail messaging optons and transcript options. I use it because it gives certain callers a personalized greeting ans sms notification when they leave a message. I'm wondering if I should un-install this app service from my iphone in case I ever get that winning call from a sponsor or rep. I just afraid that they might think it's some automated computer generated entry bot entry program when I miss the call and the answering service kicks in. Anyone know what i'm talking about or am i just over thinking this??

Any input is appreciated thanks

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Jan 01, 2013 02:51 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJan 01, 2013 02:51 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from koyboy :
Sooo.... I'm kinda new to sweeping but i'm not a total noob. I've done some searching along this forum for answers to most of the questions I had when I first started sweeping 3 moths ago and the information/tips you guys share have been super ubber helpful in allowing me to win some pretty nice instant wins (check below & thanks Btw). But I still have a few questions maybe you guys and gals could help me answer please.

Question 1.
I use chrome auto fill via the chrome browser. I know Robform is a popular form filler for most user's. Is it any better than chrome autofill?

Question 2.
Do most of you manually enter all sections of a entry form? I don't know why but I suspect that i'm inadvertently disqualifying myself from most entry's by using chrome autofill.

Question 3.
I enter about 50 single entry contest's a day, 10 weekly contest's per week and about 26 instant daily sweeps a day. I haven't hit a sizable single entry win yet . I know it's a chance game and it could take weeks/months for them to declare a winner. Should I step up my game or keep the same pace?

last question.
I'm aware that for most big wins you either get a phone call or affy in the mail. I use youmail http://www.youmail.com/ service for my voicemail. It's and intercept incoming calling service that gives you additional voicemail messaging optons and transcript options. I use it because it gives certain callers a personalized greeting ans sms notification when they leave a message. I'm wondering if I should un-install this app service from my iphone in case I ever get that winning call from a sponsor or rep. I just afraid that they might think it's some automated computer generated entry bot entry program when I miss the call and the answering service kicks in. Anyone know what i'm talking about or am i just over thinking this??

Any input is appreciated thanks
1) no idea don't use chrome...

2) I fill out a form manually the first time, to avoid hidden fields. Save the pass card in robo. Auto fill through pass cards from then on.

3) Do what is comfortable, if you change up daily routine for sweeps that is overboard. Biggest secret is commitment. A lot of people do enter more, I can knock back over 100 in an hours time, organization helps.

4) I think a lot of them would hang up if a person doesn't pick up. Not because is a bot, but because many wont leave messages. The limited time frame to generate a winner means moving on quickly. They want to make sure they can award the prize ASAP.
Jan 01, 2013 06:38 AM
433 Posts
Joined Jul 2009
flsunlovrJan 01, 2013 06:38 AM
433 Posts
Just rec'd notice that UPS is delivering something here on Wednesday from Don Jagoda. 2.1 pounds. Anyone else get this? I have no clue what this could be.!

Quote from DamianMom :
I am wondering if anyone got their prize from the LunchAbles instant win game, and if so how long did it take to arrive? It's been over a month, and haven't gotten the prize yet. Thanks!
I waited 2 months!
Last edited by ryazmom December 31, 2012 at 10:39 PM.
Jan 01, 2013 02:51 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJan 01, 2013 02:51 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from ryazmom :
Just rec'd notice that UPS is delivering something here on Wednesday from Don Jagoda. 2.1 pounds. Anyone else get this? I have no clue what this could be.!

I waited 2 months!
Off top of my head they are running:
Rue lala contests
Spin brush promo

Though latter came regular mail for me...
Jan 01, 2013 05:33 PM
433 Posts
Joined Jul 2009
flsunlovrJan 01, 2013 05:33 PM
433 Posts
Quote from implode :
Off top of my head they are running:
Rue lala contests
Spin brush promo

Though latter came regular mail for me...
Hmm, They don't ring a bell to me. I don't recall entering those.Confused Suppose I'll find out tomorrow.
Jan 01, 2013 07:30 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangJan 01, 2013 07:30 PM
1,844 Posts
Are hidden fields common/do they actually exist? I've done some "research" (about an hour of googling) and found much more denying their existence than confirming it.
Jan 01, 2013 10:11 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJan 01, 2013 10:11 PM
118,455 Posts
Just wanted to pass on a lesson I learned. Sometimes when log in info doesn't work on a site you need to clear or delete a corrupted cookie. Took me two weeks of trouble shooting emails to Rachel Ray mag for it don on em I hadn't tried clearing the cookies. Worked like a charge, and got in on a lot of them as the expired today. That explains why no amount of resetting my password worked--was still reading my old log in despite changing it.
Jan 02, 2013 12:08 AM
485 Posts
Joined Oct 2012
erueo139Jan 02, 2013 12:08 AM
485 Posts
So I have $24 from the Camel IWG that expires in a few days, any tips on where to go so I can get most, if not all $24 out of that. Can I egift myself Amazon gcs or something? I'd rather get a giftcard for somewhere than "impulse" purchase at the last minute.

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Jan 02, 2013 12:11 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJan 02, 2013 12:11 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from maimaimai :
So I have $24 from the Camel IWG that expires in a few days, any tips on where to go so I can get most, if not all $24 out of that. Can I egift myself Amazon gcs or something? I'd rather get a giftcard for somewhere than "impulse" purchase at the last minute.
That is what I would do, gift credit the full amount to you from you on amazon...

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