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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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Feb 14, 2013 07:46 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeFeb 14, 2013 07:46 PM
118,455 Posts
Any idea why Good Housekeeping would need to verify my shipping info twice on a win--when I provided my info on the initial entry form? Each of last two notices says reply by or be disqualified. It is becoming less of a joy to win, and more like hey we will keep asking until we can DQ your win. If that is the case, why offer the contest in the first place?
Feb 14, 2013 08:09 PM
5,152 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
SweepaholicFeb 14, 2013 08:09 PM
5,152 Posts
Quote from implode :
Any idea why Good Housekeeping would need to verify my shipping info twice on a win--when I provided my info on the initial entry form? Each of last two notices says reply by or be disqualified. It is becoming less of a joy to win, and more like hey we will keep asking until we can DQ your win. If that is the case, why offer the contest in the first place?
I had a few companies do that before, they said it was to verify I still lived at that address and have not moved since I filled the form out to make sure the prize got to me.
Feb 14, 2013 08:10 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeFeb 14, 2013 08:10 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from Sweepaholic :
I had a few companies do that before, they said it was to verify I still lived at that address and have not moved since I filled the form out to make sure the prize got to me.
Well I recieved winning notice one month after contest expired, filled out info...3-4 weeks pass they ask me again...shake head
Feb 14, 2013 10:07 PM
962 Posts
Joined Jan 2010
GoogleMeBihFeb 14, 2013 10:07 PM
962 Posts
last time i checked we could do trades with a value no more than $5... so why did my question disappear along with my shared win
Feb 15, 2013 02:20 AM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeFeb 15, 2013 02:20 AM
118,455 Posts
Quote from ImaRudeBoy :
last time i checked we could do trades with a value no more than $5... so why did my question disappear along with my shared win
Because you were trading in the wrong area of the site, and it appeared you had fraudulent papa johns codes (it was limited to one code per person). Better suited to sell them on eBay or Craigslist.
Feb 15, 2013 03:05 AM
962 Posts
Joined Jan 2010
GoogleMeBihFeb 15, 2013 03:05 AM
962 Posts
Quote from implode :
Because you were trading in the wrong area of the site, and it appeared you had fraudulent papa johns codes (it was limited to one code per person). Better suited to sell them on eBay or Craigslist.
Well I did play for the whole family and perhaps even every pet. Very aside the point really I could have very well acquired them from one of near hundred sweeps buddies I have.. i actually was offered a few but I turned them down. Smilie either way this place is known as slick deals I would have really thought 60% off pizza would be favorable!

Thank you for a response though- could you point me in the right direction? I'll trade them at $4 amazon a piece? Seems like a good deal and honestly it will buy my a months worth of toilet paper or diapers from amazon..
Feb 15, 2013 03:18 AM
5,152 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
SweepaholicFeb 15, 2013 03:18 AM
5,152 Posts
Quote from ImaRudeBoy :
Well I did play for the whole family and perhaps even every pet. Very aside the point really I could have very well acquired them from one of near hundred sweeps buddies I have.. i actually was offered a few but I turned them down. Smilie either way this place is known as slick deals I would have really thought 60% off pizza would be favorable!

Thank you for a response though- could you point me in the right direction? I'll trade them at $4 amazon a piece? Seems like a good deal and honestly it will buy my a months worth of toilet paper or diapers from amazon..
You are very brave to admit you play for your pets in the C&S forum laugh out loud

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Feb 15, 2013 03:52 AM
962 Posts
Joined Jan 2010
GoogleMeBihFeb 15, 2013 03:52 AM
962 Posts
Quote from Sweepaholic :
You are very brave to admit you play for your pets in the C&S forum laugh out loud
They like pizza too. Smilie

Im not going to lie, i typically dont cheat. Something like this sure will! I dont have a 13 yr old son, but when there is a lunchable or cartoon network sweep- i suddenly have a 13 yr old son. Otherwise im a straight shooter. I don't have time to care who hates me. I'm a real person with real problems. Guess what now I got real pizza who wants some lmao.

Seriously though.. I'm taking care of family here. A lot of misfortune both financially and health wise for my siblings last year(18/26).. I have a full plate(not pizza reference)
Feb 15, 2013 04:52 AM
19 Posts
Joined Jan 2013
a3005Feb 15, 2013 04:52 AM
19 Posts
Hi, newbie here. I would like to know which is the best place to look for blog giveaways. Are they listed heron SD? I see a lot of ppl speaking about small blog giveaways and higher chances of winning, unable to figure out where.
Last edited by a3005 February 14, 2013 at 08:55 PM.
Feb 15, 2013 04:55 AM
547 Posts
Joined Sep 2008
CoachSauersFeb 15, 2013 04:55 AM
547 Posts
Quote from ImaRudeBoy :
Im not going to lie, i typically dont cheat. Something like this sure will! I dont have a 13 yr old son, but when there is a lunchable or cartoon network sweep- i suddenly have a 13 yr old son. Otherwise im a straight shooter. I don't have time to care who hates me. I'm a real person with real problems. Guess what now I got real pizza who wants some lmao.
"I'm not going to lie, I'm a liar."
Feb 15, 2013 06:32 AM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAFeb 15, 2013 06:32 AM
6,323 Posts
Quote from a3005 :
Hi, newbie here. I would like to know which is the best place to look for blog giveaways. Are they listed heron SD? I see a lot of ppl speaking about small blog giveaways and higher chances of winning, unable to figure out where.
No, they aren't listed here - you have to find them, yourself. I subscribe to lots of blogs, so I usually search through them for sweeps. There are various ways to find them: google and twitter searches are just a couple.
Feb 15, 2013 08:34 AM
962 Posts
Joined Jan 2010
GoogleMeBihFeb 15, 2013 08:34 AM
962 Posts
Quote from cheba63 :
"I'm not going to lie, I'm a liar."
Lol. Its a good thing you're a member here. Your contribution of tips and advice sure would be missed.
Feb 15, 2013 09:08 AM
19 Posts
Joined Jan 2013
a3005Feb 15, 2013 09:08 AM
19 Posts
Quote from KMA :
No, they aren't listed here - you have to find them, yourself. I subscribe to lots of blogs, so I usually search through them for sweeps. There are various ways to find them: google and twitter searches are just a couple.
Thank you!
Feb 15, 2013 07:51 PM
85 Posts
Joined Sep 2005
djflemFeb 15, 2013 07:51 PM
85 Posts
I have still not received a 1099 from my trip back in November. Is this normal or should I just file without it. Sorry i'm a newbie to these big wins and i'm not sure what to do.

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Feb 15, 2013 08:16 PM
5,152 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
SweepaholicFeb 15, 2013 08:16 PM
5,152 Posts
Quote from flem829 :
I have still not received a 1099 from my trip back in November. Is this normal or should I just file without it. Sorry i'm a newbie to these big wins and i'm not sure what to do.
I never recieved a 1099 from one of my Disney trips but I made sure to add it on my taxes anyways.

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