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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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May 09, 2013 07:49 PM
1,216 Posts
Joined Jul 2010
halah2272May 09, 2013 07:49 PM
1,216 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
I don't do Twitter, so I didn't enter the Home Depot Careers sweeps. The only thing I can find on my wins list that could be in a .50 lb. envelope is a shopping bag from Cacique. Although, don't know why they would ship that via Fedex. Is your package due Monday too? Gonna' be a long weekend of wondering. Confused
I didn't enter the Cacique so we can rule that one out! This is worse than Christmas Eve when you're 5!
Pro
QA
May 09, 2013 07:55 PM
3,567 Posts
Joined Feb 2009
rachaelm
Pro
QA
May 09, 2013 07:55 PM
3,567 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
Ha! I was hoping the same thing, but trying not to think about it too much so I wouldn't be disappointed if it ends up being something cheesy.
Quote from halah2272 :
I didn't enter the Cacique so we can rule that one out! This is worse than Christmas Eve when you're 5!
I did a search & found someone else on a sweeping page with the same notification, but they didn't know either. So annoying. I wanna know!
May 09, 2013 08:10 PM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648May 09, 2013 08:10 PM
26,018 Posts
Quote from halah2272 :
I didn't enter the Cacique so we can rule that one out! This is worse than Christmas Eve when you're 5!
It is worse than Christmas Eve when you're 5 - at least then I could snoop!
Quote from rachaelm :
I did a search & found someone else on a sweeping page with the same notification, but they didn't know either. So annoying. I wanna know!
I wanna' know too.....and now, not on Monday! Whoever gets their delivery first should post here.
May 09, 2013 08:38 PM
639 Posts
Joined Mar 2013
credmondMay 09, 2013 08:38 PM
639 Posts
Quote from halah2272 :
Anyone ever gotten a win from BRITEVISION MEDIA/PROMOTIONS? I just got a FedEx alert that it's coming. Only half a pound so perhaps a GC.
Could it possibly be from that maxwell house iwg?
May 09, 2013 08:41 PM
26,018 Posts
Joined Dec 2010
User1144648May 09, 2013 08:41 PM
26,018 Posts
Quote from credmond :
Could it possibly be from that maxwell house iwg?
I don't know about halah2272, but I didn't win that one. The Monday Delivery Mystery contines.
May 09, 2013 08:57 PM
1,336 Posts
Joined Aug 2008
jamminsport16May 09, 2013 08:57 PM
1,336 Posts
I got a 24.5 pound box from UPS coming from MEYER CORP tomorrow? - It's a cookware contest that I won lol, just realized that now Big Grin

Also, NORTH AMERICAN PUBLISHING CO. - 2 pound box from Fedex coming next week. #MysteryNumber2
Last edited by jamminsport16 May 9, 2013 at 03:22 PM.
May 10, 2013 05:40 AM
1,216 Posts
Joined Jul 2010
halah2272May 10, 2013 05:40 AM
1,216 Posts
Quote from MLx3 :
It is worse than Christmas Eve when you're 5 - at least then I could snoop!

I wanna' know too.....and now, not on Monday! Whoever gets their delivery first should post here.
Well I'm in WV so EST around 1:00 is when I should be getting mine..of course the FedEx guy will decide that day to deliver mail in a Zamboni or something...But I will post when i
do!

I got a call from California today on the way home and got super excited for about a minute when the lady asked me if I remembered entering a contest 2 months ago then proceeded to try and sell me membership into some wine club! what a tease!

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May 10, 2013 05:46 AM
1,216 Posts
Joined Jul 2010
halah2272May 10, 2013 05:46 AM
1,216 Posts
Quote from credmond :
Could it possibly be from that maxwell house iwg?
thats a negative for me too.
I thought that signing up for the Fedex and UPS alerts was such a great idea now I'm rethinking it some..a.g.o.n.y!
May 10, 2013 02:48 PM
1,219 Posts
Joined Apr 2013
beuteefullMay 10, 2013 02:48 PM
1,219 Posts
Do you guys enter the same sweepstakes daily? (the ones you can enter daily) or just once all together for each?
May 10, 2013 03:16 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeMay 10, 2013 03:16 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from beuteefull :
Do you guys enter the same sweepstakes daily? (the ones you can enter daily) or just once all together for each?
I have my own theories on entry...if you can enter every day then you are basically on even terms with everyone entering (or better). If you don't have time to enter everyday, then dailies are kind of a waste of time. I don't want to have worse odds then other people who enter. That would also mean entering single entries are a good way to negate being at a disadvantage. That being said if you have the time to do both then do so, just realize not all entries are created equal for the use of your time.
May 10, 2013 03:16 PM
717 Posts
Joined Jan 2007
gocartromanceMay 10, 2013 03:16 PM
717 Posts
Quote from beuteefull :
Do you guys enter the same sweepstakes daily? (the ones you can enter daily) or just once all together for each?
Daily. The more entries you get into a sweeps, the better your chances!
May 10, 2013 03:30 PM
1,219 Posts
Joined Apr 2013
beuteefullMay 10, 2013 03:30 PM
1,219 Posts
I have another question about when you win a prize.

Do most of the wins need a confirmation at the door? I've been signing up through my old address that I used to live (just recently moved in with my boyfriend & his parents), my dad currently lives at the address that I've been signing up for, which I visit occasionally, its about a hour and a half away. The reason I've been using my dads address is because I don't want my boyfriends parents to get mad if I get a lot of spam mail.. This is the first time I've been on a crazy spree of signing up for sweepstakes so I really don't know what to expect. Is this a bad idea?
May 10, 2013 03:52 PM
1,219 Posts
Joined Apr 2013
beuteefullMay 10, 2013 03:52 PM
1,219 Posts
Wow.. I just accidently signed up for a THIRD magazine... How do I cancel these?? It's going to be kind of hard considering its being mailed to my dads. LMAO

Nevermind I think i was able to cancel it. I'm guessing Elle is with Cosmopolian, it only showed up as one subscription
Last edited by beuteefull May 10, 2013 at 09:09 AM.
May 10, 2013 06:08 PM
118,455 Posts
Joined May 2006
implodeMay 10, 2013 06:08 PM
118,455 Posts
Quote from beuteefull :
I have another question about when you win a prize.

Do most of the wins need a confirmation at the door? I've been signing up through my old address that I used to live (just recently moved in with my boyfriend & his parents), my dad currently lives at the address that I've been signing up for, which I visit occasionally, its about a hour and a half away. The reason I've been using my dads address is because I don't want my boyfriends parents to get mad if I get a lot of spam mail.. This is the first time I've been on a crazy spree of signing up for sweepstakes so I really don't know what to expect. Is this a bad idea?
I would say 10-15% of prizes you have to sign for at the door. Mostly sign for higher value wins--not the trinkets that are typical. Common wins are shirts, keychains, posters, small value gift cards, coupons, and other small value promotional items.

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May 10, 2013 08:57 PM
976 Posts
Joined Oct 2008
miggy82May 10, 2013 08:57 PM
976 Posts
IMO this is my odds greatest to least: local only (must be present), local (radio), photo + essay (judged), essay (judged), local only daily, local single, state only daily, state only single, photo (judged), single twitter (short run or one day only), instant daily (captcha), photo (random), instant daily, multiple daily (captcha), multiple daily, weekly, monthly, daily, instant single, single, unlimited. I would think recipe would be pretty high up but I wouldn't really know. Other factors can also make greater odds like the amount of prizes or how popular the sweepstakes is. From my experience your bound to win something good $50 or greater value every 3,000 entries. You'll win at least one thing a week if you enter at least 1000 entries a week. At the same rate you'll win one grand prize every one to two months. A really good grand prize every four to six months. I've never had the opportunity of getting those bonus referral entries but I think those might give you better odds if you had a lot of friends but I don't know.
Last edited by miggy82 May 10, 2013 at 02:16 PM.

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