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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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Feb 12, 2013 02:10 AM
119 Posts
Joined Oct 2012
melie1113Feb 12, 2013 02:10 AM
119 Posts
Quote from implode :
Use the tracking number and see when it was accepted...then follow up with said data by phone.
Tracking number? I never received one.
Feb 12, 2013 02:25 AM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangFeb 12, 2013 02:25 AM
1,844 Posts
How big was your win (I don't need details if you don't want to divulge them). If I was you, I'd be in constant contact with the sponsor/company.
Feb 12, 2013 02:30 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeFeb 12, 2013 02:30 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from melie1113 :
Tracking number? I never received one.
You didn't send Affy back with tracking number? I usually get a prepaid envelope form judging agency.
Feb 12, 2013 02:34 AM
119 Posts
Joined Oct 2012
melie1113Feb 12, 2013 02:34 AM
119 Posts
Quote from Jang :
How big was your win (I don't need details if you don't want to divulge them). If I was you, I'd be in constant contact with the sponsor/company.
It wasn't that big just big for me. $1000.

Quote from implode :
You didn't send Affy back with tracking number? I usually get a prepaid envelope form judging agency.
They let me do it through email although that was an option. Im guessing I messed up on that decision.
Feb 12, 2013 02:35 AM
1,844 Posts
Joined Jun 2009
JangFeb 12, 2013 02:35 AM
1,844 Posts
Quote from melie1113 :
It wasn't that big just big for me. $1000.

$1000 is a pretty big win for anyone. I hope everything works out with it.
Feb 12, 2013 04:56 AM
1,268 Posts
Joined Dec 2008
melan26Feb 12, 2013 04:56 AM
1,268 Posts
Quote from melie1113 :
I sent in an affidavit on my first big win ever about 2 weeks ago but never heard back after. Should I contact the company or is this just usually how it goes?
Let them know if they have received it. It's rare, but it does happen. I usually ask them for a reply to confirm that they've received it. This is your first big win, congrats! Let us know how it goes.
Feb 12, 2013 12:09 PM
1,430 Posts
Joined Sep 2010
mj025Feb 12, 2013 12:09 PM
1,430 Posts
Quote from melie1113 :
It wasn't that big just big for me. $1000.



They let me do it through email although that was an option. Im guessing I messed up on that decision.
Send them another email asking to verify if they got it, be polite, ask like you aren't sure if you screwed it up... Be self-deprecating in the email to keep it from sounding like you are impatient with them... I've had countless wins where there was noticeable lack of communication on their end, I'll send in paperwork and they seem like you should be psychic and know everything went fine and it'll be 4 to 6 weeks before you'll get your prize.

People in public relations seems to have a distinct lack of skill relating to the public...

-MJ

P.S. Email is not a secure means of file transfer (as in, assume all your email is read by someone other than the intended person), I would NEVER email sensitive information, such as a SS#. I would always try to fax or mail that type of paperwork.
Last edited by mj025 February 12, 2013 at 04:12 AM.

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Feb 12, 2013 05:14 PM
119 Posts
Joined Oct 2012
melie1113Feb 12, 2013 05:14 PM
119 Posts
Quote from mj025 :
Send them another email asking to verify if they got it, be polite, ask like you aren't sure if you screwed it up... Be self-deprecating in the email to keep it from sounding like you are impatient with them... I've had countless wins where there was noticeable lack of communication on their end, I'll send in paperwork and they seem like you should be psychic and know everything went fine and it'll be 4 to 6 weeks before you'll get your prize.

People in public relations seems to have a distinct lack of skill relating to the public...

-MJ

P.S. Email is not a secure means of file transfer (as in, assume all your email is read by someone other than the intended person), I would NEVER email sensitive information, such as a SS#. I would always try to fax or mail that type of paperwork.

Thanks! I sent them an email last night and they emailed me back this morning! They said everything is in processing and that they just need my SSN so I am having them call me for that. I would never send it through email. The affidavit they had me fill out just had my name and the county and state I live in. I wonder how long it would have taken for them to get back to me if I hadn't said something. Thanks everyone for your help! Much appreciated!
Feb 13, 2013 04:29 AM
173 Posts
Joined Apr 2007
WuvsnoopyFeb 13, 2013 04:29 AM
173 Posts
Quote from robonero954 :
I have a problem. I won a Google Nexus 7. The sponsor wants me to send them a photo of me holding the Nexus, so they can post on Facebook. I DON'T WANT my photo on the internet. Although I understand the sponsor point of view. What to do?
Do you have a friend who wouldn't mind? I once had to pick up a prize and they wanted a photo. I wasn't thrilled with the idea but hubby was fine with it. They didn't care who was IN the pic as long as they had one so I had him pose. Smilie

Congrats on the win!
Last edited by Wuvsnoopy February 12, 2013 at 08:30 PM.
Feb 13, 2013 11:43 AM
5,164 Posts
Joined Sep 2012
robonero954Feb 13, 2013 11:43 AM
5,164 Posts
Quote from Wuvsnoopy :
Do you have a friend who wouldn't mind? I once had to pick up a prize and they wanted a photo. I wasn't thrilled with the idea but hubby was fine with it. They didn't care who was IN the pic as long as they had one so I had him pose. Smilie

Congrats on the win!
good idea
Feb 13, 2013 05:17 PM
342 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
hurleysweetyFeb 13, 2013 05:17 PM
342 Posts
Newbie question: I keep seeing people post things like, "I got a notice for a 3lb package from ...." Where does one sign up for or get those notifications? It is something you set up with fedex, ups, etc? I have a myUPS account, but I'm not sure how it is supposed to work.

Any help would be appreciated!
Feb 13, 2013 05:22 PM
5,152 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
SweepaholicFeb 13, 2013 05:22 PM
5,152 Posts
Quote from hurleysweety :
Newbie question: I keep seeing people post things like, "I got a notice for a 3lb package from ...." Where does one sign up for or get those notifications? It is something you set up with fedex, ups, etc? I have a myUPS account, but I'm not sure how it is supposed to work.

Any help would be appreciated!
Its via UPS http://www.ups.com/mychoice/ they will email you when you have a package coming to your address
Feb 13, 2013 07:15 PM
342 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
hurleysweetyFeb 13, 2013 07:15 PM
342 Posts
Quote from Sweepaholic :
Its via UPS http://www.ups.com/mychoice/ they will email you when you have a package coming to your address
Ok, good. That is the service I have. I'm not expecting anything, but I don't want to miss anything either. What about FedEx?
Feb 13, 2013 08:56 PM
354 Posts
Joined May 2012
jbrr1212Feb 13, 2013 08:56 PM
354 Posts
As far as i know fedex doesnt have anything to notify you, though they did call my sil last weekend to let her know she had a package coming on Monday (a surprise dvd win). They've never called me though.

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Feb 14, 2013 03:35 AM
271 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
dspringfieldFeb 14, 2013 03:35 AM
271 Posts
Quote from jbrr1212 :
As far as i know fedex doesnt have anything to notify you, though they did call my sil last weekend to let her know she had a package coming on Monday (a surprise dvd win). They've never called me though.
FedEx Home Delivery will call if they have a delivery that requires a signature.

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