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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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Jan 25, 2013 04:32 PM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAJan 25, 2013 04:32 PM
6,323 Posts
Quote from ChrisB65 :
I've won several magazine sweepstakes recently, but they have all been single entry sweepstakes.
Do you recall if you manually entered or if you used a form filler?
Jan 25, 2013 04:46 PM
6,059 Posts
Joined Jul 2012
ChrisB65Jan 25, 2013 04:46 PM
6,059 Posts
Quote from KMA :
Do you recall if you manually entered or if you used a form filler?
I always use a form filler, Autofill Forms on Firefox
Jan 25, 2013 05:27 PM
4,441 Posts
Joined Jun 2007
dgleesonJan 25, 2013 05:27 PM
4,441 Posts
Generally, the Hearst Mags sweeps(Redbook, Woman's Day etc) are 2 clicks to enter, no captchas, but you do have to make sure to click the No purchase is necessary, click here.

The Bauer Publishing(In Touch, woman within etc) now have you fill the catcha on each page, but that's the ONLY info, you have to enter after your first.

The Meredith(BH&G etc) tends to make you sign in to each mags site, then uncheck email newsletters etc and enter the pop up captcha every time, but little risk of accidental mag sub.
Jan 25, 2013 05:49 PM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAJan 25, 2013 05:49 PM
6,323 Posts
Quote from Jang :
I haven't won any.

I skip them most of the time. It's possible to accidentally subscribe since there are so many to enter and the "do not subscibe" button is sometimes hard to find/see. They're also a pain to enter as there is always a captcha code. Finally, a lot of them tend to go on for months which gets annoying fast for such a low chance of winning.

I've actually been entering them lately but I don't know how long I'll keep it up.
Hearst doesn't like my address, so if I accidentally miss the "do not subscribe" link, it tells me there's something wrong with my address. The downside is that other sites don't like my address, either; I even called the post office to verify I was entering it exactly as what's in their database and I was. For example, Best Buy wouldn't allow me to register, so I placed a call to them; the girl I spoke to tried to enter it from her cell phone and had the same problem. She said she checked the database and saw my address there, just as I'd told her it was written. I had to end up using my dad's address, because the alternative was to drive an hour away to my nearest BB to register. How is this site a seller of tech products when they can't even figure out how to get you entered online/on the phone?
Jan 25, 2013 05:51 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangJan 25, 2013 05:51 PM
1,844 Posts
Quote from KMA :
Hearst doesn't like my address, so if I accidentally miss the "do not subscribe" link, it tells me there's something wrong with my address. The downside is that other sites don't like my address, either; I even called the post office to verify I was entering it exactly as what's in their database and I was. For example, Best Buy wouldn't allow me to register, so I placed a call to them; the girl I spoke to tried to enter it from her cell phone and had the same problem. She said she checked the database and saw my address there, just as I'd told her it was written. I had to end up using my dad's address, because the alternative was to drive an hour away to my nearest BB to register. How is this site a seller of tech products when they can't even figure out how to get you entered online/on the phone?
That's ridiculous and unfortunate.
Jan 25, 2013 05:52 PM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAJan 25, 2013 05:52 PM
6,323 Posts
Quote from Jang :
That's ridiculous and unfortunate.
I failed to mention that when I do click the "do not subscribe" link, my address is accepted. LOL So, it doesn't affect my ability to enter sweepstakes. Confused
Jan 25, 2013 06:06 PM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangJan 25, 2013 06:06 PM
1,844 Posts
Quote from KMA :
I failed to mention that when I do click the "do not subscribe" link, my address is accepted. LOL So, it doesn't affect my ability to enter sweepstakes. Confused
Lol, it was implied. I meant about the other sites you have problems with.

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Jan 25, 2013 06:47 PM
29 Posts
Joined Jan 2013
ReChendaJan 25, 2013 06:47 PM
29 Posts
Hi fellow Sdlers! I'm new here and a newly made SAHM. Can anyone give me some tips on how to get started doing this? What do I need to know, where do I go? Any help is greatly appreciated!!!
Pro
QA
Jan 25, 2013 07:00 PM
3,567 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
rachaelm
Pro
QA
Jan 25, 2013 07:00 PM
3,567 Posts
Quote from ReChenda :
Hi fellow Sdlers! I'm new here and a newly made SAHM. Can anyone give me some tips on how to get started doing this? What do I need to know, where do I go? Any help is greatly appreciated!!!
Welcome. The beginning of this thread is a great tool for information.

Tips & Questions

Good luck!
Jan 25, 2013 07:14 PM
29 Posts
Joined Jan 2013
ReChendaJan 25, 2013 07:14 PM
29 Posts
Thanks! What are the iwg's ?
Pro
QA
Jan 25, 2013 07:17 PM
3,567 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
rachaelm
Pro
QA
Jan 25, 2013 07:17 PM
3,567 Posts
Quote from ReChenda :
Thanks! What are the iwg's ?
I'm not sure I understand what you're asking? But if you're wondering how to identify which posted contests are instant win, you can look at the category icon that's on the left of the Contest & Sweepstakes forum page. If the icon has a little yellow lightning bolt & says INSTANT, it's an instant win.
Jan 25, 2013 07:20 PM
29 Posts
Joined Jan 2013
ReChendaJan 25, 2013 07:20 PM
29 Posts
Oh ok thanks!
Jan 25, 2013 07:49 PM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAJan 25, 2013 07:49 PM
6,323 Posts
Quote from implode :
If Firefox:
Tools -> Options -> Prvacy -> Remove individual cookies

Then search by site...and remove those one by one (so other cookies remain set up for other sites).
Now that I'm on a new computer, I'm using firefox. I followed your instructions after being told I'd already entered. Then, I returned to those links and got the same messages. Frown Any advice?
Jan 25, 2013 07:51 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeJan 25, 2013 07:51 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from KMA :
Now that I'm on a new computer, I'm using firefox. I followed your instructions after being told I'd already entered. Then, I returned to those links and got the same messages. Frown Any advice?
Guess its not a corrupted cookie...maybe email the site you are having issues with and ask for advice--could always be internal issue with them.

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Jan 25, 2013 08:03 PM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAJan 25, 2013 08:03 PM
6,323 Posts
Is there a thread here for the Wheel of Fortune Wheel Watchers Club? I found nothing by searching.

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