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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 16, 2013 02:38 PM
313 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
caitybatesFeb 16, 2013 02:38 PM
313 Posts
Quote from whocares13 :
I have a concern and hopefully someone could answer it. Last year, around Dec 25 I won a $1000 gift card. I submitted affidavit and received an email on Jan 2, 2013 telling me that they have received my documents and I am a confirmed winner. Now, I have neither received prize nor 1099 form by now. I don't know when to file tax for this prize. What should I do?
Sometimes it just takes a while to get your prize. I JUST got a prize a couple of days ago that I won in October. Don't worry about the 1099 until you actually receive it.
Feb 16, 2013 04:26 PM
5,152 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
SweepaholicFeb 16, 2013 04:26 PM
5,152 Posts
Quote from whocares13 :
I have a concern and hopefully someone could answer it. Last year, around Dec 25 I won a $1000 gift card. I submitted affidavit and received an email on Jan 2, 2013 telling me that they have received my documents and I am a confirmed winner. Now, I have neither received prize nor 1099 form by now. I don't know when to file tax for this prize. What should I do?
I do not file a prize on my taxes until I have received it!
Feb 16, 2013 08:22 PM
9,879 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
whocares13Feb 16, 2013 08:22 PM
9,879 Posts
Quote from Sweepaholic :
I do not file a prize on my taxes until I have received it!
Quote from caitybates :
Sometimes it just takes a while to get your prize. I JUST got a prize a couple of days ago that I won in October. Don't worry about the 1099 until you actually receive it.
Quote from melan26 :
The tax year that you'll file is the year you receive your prize. Since you haven't received it yet, it will not be for the year 2012. Congrats!
So I don't have to file tax this year even if I receive my prize within next few weeks. Right? Is there any chance they have informed IRS? How do I know if they have or haven't informed IRS?
Feb 17, 2013 01:11 AM
14,856 Posts
Joined Jan 2012
princess101Feb 17, 2013 01:11 AM
14,856 Posts
The trip I won, I take in April 2013. Today I received a 1099 form from eprize. Can I demand a corrected 1099 form from them? Since I should get a 1099 form next year
Feb 17, 2013 03:10 AM
313 Posts
Joined Dec 2009
caitybatesFeb 17, 2013 03:10 AM
313 Posts
Quote from whocares13 :
So I don't have to file tax this year even if I receive my prize within next few weeks. Right? Is there any chance they have informed IRS? How do I know if they have or haven't informed IRS?
Correct as it is income for the year 2013 and not income for the year 2012. I would assume that since you haven't received a 1099, then it means that they haven't informed the IRS, but I could be wrong.

Quote from princess101 :
The trip I won, I take in April 2013. Today I received a 1099 form from eprize. Can I demand a corrected 1099 form from them? Since I should get a 1099 form next year
You should for sure send them an e-mail. I say this because, what if, for some reason you happen to not take that trip. That's taxes paid on something that you haven't received. They're usually really responsive about things like this.
Last edited by caitybates February 16, 2013 at 07:12 PM.
Feb 17, 2013 04:36 AM
1,268 Posts
Joined Dec 2008
melan26Feb 17, 2013 04:36 AM
1,268 Posts
Quote from princess101 :
The trip I won, I take in April 2013. Today I received a 1099 form from eprize. Can I demand a corrected 1099 form from them? Since I should get a 1099 form next year
Quote from caitybates :
Correct as it is income for the year 2013 and not income for the year 2012. I would assume that since you haven't received a 1099, then it means that they haven't informed the IRS, but I could be wrong.


You should for sure send them an e-mail. I say this because, what if, for some reason you happen to not take that trip. That's taxes paid on something that you haven't received. They're usually really responsive about things like this.
Hmmm... this is interesting. I find it quite odd that they would issue a 1099 even though the prize has not been fulfilled, unless they consider it fulfilled when arrangements, i.e. flights booked, hotel, car rental, etc. have been made prior to this year. I would also think that everything from the prize package you received prior to this year? I think that you should ask how much the flights, hotels, etc. really cost them. Make sure you ask for receipts for everything. You only have to pay taxes on the ARV, not the one listed on the rules.

This absolutely conflicts with the above answers we've given earlier to whocares13.
Feb 17, 2013 07:00 AM
14,856 Posts
Joined Jan 2012
princess101Feb 17, 2013 07:00 AM
14,856 Posts
I haven't received anything from my prize package. Only 2 emails from travel agent telling me dates of travel, hotel name and asking me my nearest airport and then which flight I prefer. I hate eprize

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Feb 18, 2013 05:02 AM
1,268 Posts
Joined Dec 2008
melan26Feb 18, 2013 05:02 AM
1,268 Posts
Quote from princess101 :
I haven't received anything from my prize package. Only 2 emails from travel agent telling me dates of travel, hotel name and asking me my nearest airport and then which flight I prefer. I hate eprize
Definitely contact them about this. Explain to them if they'll issue you a corrected 1099 after your trip (what if it cost less than the 1099 you have now, what then?). It's going to be messy if you're filing your tax now when nothing is really clear at the moment. Good luck.
Feb 18, 2013 06:25 AM
14,856 Posts
Joined Jan 2012
princess101Feb 18, 2013 06:25 AM
14,856 Posts
I should have gotten 1099 in 2014 not 2013. I have a funny feeling that I am gonna have trouble with eprize and probably the IRS. Eprize usually gives you the run around
Feb 18, 2013 08:49 AM
1,268 Posts
Joined Dec 2008
melan26Feb 18, 2013 08:49 AM
1,268 Posts
Quote from princess101 :
I should have gotten 1099 in 2014 not 2013. I have a funny feeling that I am gonna have trouble with eprize and probably the IRS. Eprize usually gives you the run around
Just make sure you've got everything documented and saved elsewhere just in case. IRS would be a pain, if anything. I suggest you consult with a tax professional and seek their advice on this matter. Press your issue on Eprize and ask to speak to someone higher up, you don't want to get audited, that's for sure.
Feb 18, 2013 05:17 PM
27,601 Posts
Joined Dec 2006
suncat77Feb 18, 2013 05:17 PM
27,601 Posts
I'm having a couple of FB instant wins error out on me today. The new Tony's bowling one, and the Visa Prepaid one. Anyone else? I'm using Chrome.
Feb 18, 2013 05:25 PM
6,059 Posts
Joined Jul 2012
ChrisB65Feb 18, 2013 05:25 PM
6,059 Posts
Quote from suncat77 :
I'm having a couple of FB instant wins error out on me today. The new Tony's bowling one, and the Visa Prepaid one. Anyone else? I'm using Chrome.
I had the same problem with both of them with Firefox.
Feb 18, 2013 06:14 PM
2,319 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
AmantriaFeb 18, 2013 06:14 PM
2,319 Posts
I haven't been able to get that bowling one to work for a couple days now. Chrome also.
Feb 18, 2013 06:24 PM
6,323 Posts
Joined Sep 2006
KMAFeb 18, 2013 06:24 PM
6,323 Posts
Quote from Amantria :
I haven't been able to get that bowling one to work for a couple days now. Chrome also.
You can enter from their website. They posted on Facebook about issues and provided the link. You can either check there or go to that sweeps post here on SD where I posted the link in the comments.

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Feb 19, 2013 06:27 AM
1 Posts
Joined Feb 2013
grinny2222Feb 19, 2013 06:27 AM
1 Posts
My mom won $5,000 in giftcards from iw game but she used a ficticous first name and birthday. Eprize is asking for her name, ssn, e-mail and physical address and date of birth in a Declaration of Compliance, Liability & Publicity Release. No notary. Everything matches but her first name and birthday because she was scared of internet fraud and never expected to win such a huge prize. I told her she probably just blew $5000 down the drain. Does anyone know how they (eprize) will treat this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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