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Sears Discounts, Deals and Coupon Codes

Contests & Sweepstakes Tips, Advice, and Questions

58,150 56,135 June 2, 2008 at 07:50 PM in Other (6) Get Sears coupons Coupons
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Last Edited by BostonGirl March 8, 2015 at 07:18 AM
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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.
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Community Wiki

Last Edited by JD123 November 1, 2014 at 11:13 AM
Before we had this thread, limpstar posted this site for info on sweeps & taxes in the I Won Thread:
All About Sweepstakes Taxes
http://contests.about.com/od/taxe...gtaxes.htm

Also consider talking to your tax preparer and/or researching further into your tax responsibility.


I have found this page helpful in understanding some of sweep's law - a sweeps law co.'s site:
The Lustigman Firm; Attorneys at Law
http://www.sweepstakeslaw.com/
The Lustigman Firm provides experienced legal counsel that helps protect the business interests
of its advertising and promotional clients around the United States and Canada

What does " age of majority in your state or province " mean?

(sometimes abbreviated as AoM+ )

it's the legal age of that state or province...

The Age of majority is the threshold of adulthood as it is conceptualized in law. It is the chronological moment when children legally assume majority control over their persons and their actions and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of their parents over and for them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_majority

there's a list by country and by US State there....

For most purposes, the age of majority in the U.S. is 18,
except for 2 states with the age of 19 (Nebraska,Alabama)
and one state with the age of 21 (Mississippi)
and two (American Samoa and Puerto Rico) that retain 14 as the age of majority.
Occasionally PA is listed under the 19+ or 21+

~javaFlower

Regarding missing prizes
If you were expecting a prize you've never received you can complain 1st to the sweepstakes administrator, then to the sweepstakes sponsor and finally to USPS Postal Inspectors

https://postalinspectors.uspis.go...laint.aspx

-Kotik


ePrize Contacts
[email protected] - Bob Marsh, Senior Vice President, Midwest Region, Phone: 248.543.7522
[email protected] - Darlene Morris, Business Manager, Phone: 248.543.7403
[email protected] - Alesya Opelt, Vice President, Marketing, Phone: 248.543.7440


Occasionally a....less than ethical sweep will get posted.
You might end up finding unauthorized charges on your phone bill. Unauthorized charges on the phone bill are what's called "Cramming". Once you contact the company that's charging you, and you have requested your phone company remove the charge, if you so choose, you can file a complaint with the FCC.

FCC Online complaint form: esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

You can also file your complaint with the FCC's Consumer Center by e-mailing [email protected] or calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY

You can fax your complaint to 1-866-418-0232

Or by snail mail:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554.

I also recommend a 3rd party block on your line to prohibit this from happening. 3rd party blocks don't affect your phone in any way, except by not allowing some company outside of your local phone company from adding charges to your bill.


Slickdealers on Twitter
(I don't really know where is best to start this list, but I decided to just start it here. If anyone thinks we should move it somewhere else, please do so.)

SD name Twitter name
kdka421 k8fenner
Starbelly Lunachique
dodgers77449 michael0902
sanaperv @slicksweepberry
blueeyeleo  
Slickdealers on Facebook
(Hopefully, it is allowed to post this here. If anyone thinks this link should be deleted, please do so.)
You can find the facebook slickdeals sweepers in this group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/310504039006252/

Track incoming packages
UPS
http://www.ups.com/mychoice/
FedEx https://www.fedex.com/login/web/j...n.jsp?TYPE
USPS https://www.usps.com/manage/manage-your-mail.htm




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Joined Dec 2010
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User1144648
04-14-2014 at 11:32 PM.
04-14-2014 at 11:32 PM.
Quote from implode :
Is it me or is category sort entirely broken...seems like certain contests are missing (maybe when categories are edited???)...saw a new jaegermeister contest, sorted by instant and it doesn appear...get a few random dailies appearing in instant...wish someone would fix that.
It's not broken.

From the new format feedback thread:

QUOTE: BostonGirl:

It's sorting just fine. What is happening is if you click "Single Entry" and see one that says "Weekly" for example.

That is because the member who created the thread put "Weekly" for the main category icon. The thread itself is tagged as "Single Entry". ( this is true for the "other" category like you mentioned too )

Example of search" Single Entry"
Pulls up this one saying "Weekly" but it's also tagged as a "Single Entry"
https://slickdeals.net/f/6788624-stok-grills-get-fed-up-sweepstakes-3-31-14-fb?v=1
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KMA
04-15-2014 at 12:09 AM.
04-15-2014 at 12:09 AM.
Quote from implode :
Is it me or is category sort entirely broken...seems like certain contests are missing (maybe when categories are edited???)...saw a new jaegermeister contest, sorted by instant and it doesn appear...get a few random dailies appearing in instant...wish someone would fix that.
There was a glitch when I went to bookmark the new sweeps around 10:30 CST. When I'd click by tag, nothing was sorted - I was seeing the entire list just as it appears when not sorted. It's working correctly, now.
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implode
04-15-2014 at 07:34 AM.
04-15-2014 at 07:34 AM.
Quote from MLx3 :
It's not broken.

From the new format feedback thread:

QUOTE: BostonGirl:

It's sorting just fine. What is happening is if you click "Single Entry" and see one that says "Weekly" for example.

That is because the member who created the thread put "Weekly" for the main category icon. The thread itself is tagged as "Single Entry". ( this is true for the "other" category like you mentioned too )

Example of search" Single Entry"
Pulls up this one saying "Weekly" but it's also tagged as a "Single Entry"
https://slickdeals.net/f/6788624-stok-grills-get-fed-up-sweepstakes-3-31-14-fb?v=1
Can we get original mistake tags removed so the sort is accurate...seems a huge flaw/issue (annoyance!) to me.
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Joined Dec 2010
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User1144648
04-15-2014 at 11:14 AM.
04-15-2014 at 11:14 AM.
Quote from implode :
Can we get original mistake tags removed so the sort is accurate...seems a huge flaw/issue (annoyance!) to me.
If the OP chose the wrong label/icon when posting, they're the only ones who can edit the post and change it. However, anyone can change/add/delete the tags.

It seems that with the new format, the sort by entry type keys off both the original label/icon and the tags, which causes some threads to show up on more than one sort, if the label/icon and the tags are different.
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dgleeson
04-15-2014 at 11:25 AM.
04-15-2014 at 11:25 AM.
Curious iif anyone knows whats up with FreebiesRGreat ? No posts since 2/29?
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implode
04-15-2014 at 11:39 AM.
04-15-2014 at 11:39 AM.
Quote from MLx3 :
If the OP chose the wrong label/icon when posting, they're the only ones who can edit the post and change it. However, anyone can change/add/delete the tags.

It seems that with the new format, the sort by entry type keys off both the original label/icon and the tags, which causes some threads to show up on more than one sort, if the label/icon and the tags are different.
Pain in the arse, but maybe mod alert them all so mods can fix the problem tagged items...

Quote from dgleeson :
Curious iif anyone knows whats up with FreebiesRGreat ? No posts since 2/29?
Thought I saw her on another site, so perhaps she left (or someone with a VERY similar handle)...at least that points to her being ok.
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Last edited by implode April 15, 2014 at 11:41 AM.
Joined Dec 2010
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User1144648
04-15-2014 at 11:44 AM.
04-15-2014 at 11:44 AM.
Quote from implode :
Pain in the arse, but maybe mod alert them all so mods can fix the problem tagged items...
Personally, I won't bother the mods with stuff like that. If you think the original label/icon is wrong, you could just quote the OP and ask them to change it. As far as the tags go (tags above the OP), like I said, anyone can delete/add those.
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Joined Sep 2006
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KMA
04-15-2014 at 01:50 PM.
04-15-2014 at 01:50 PM.
Quote from dgleeson :
Curious iif anyone knows whats up with FreebiesRGreat ? No posts since 2/29?
I wondered the same thing.
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nygrad
04-16-2014 at 06:30 AM.
04-16-2014 at 06:30 AM.
Is there a thread on this site where you can trade prizes? I am looking for macy's gift codes from their last sweep if anyone has them.
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ChrisB65
04-16-2014 at 06:43 AM.
04-16-2014 at 06:43 AM.
Quote from nygrad :
Is there a thread on this site where you can trade prizes? I am looking for macy's gift codes from their last sweep if anyone has them.
https://slickdeals.net/f/879633-official-trading-thread-you-must-read-the-1st-page-before-trading-no-kso-trades-in-here?v=1 Make sure you read the rules.
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nygrad
04-16-2014 at 07:31 AM.
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implode
04-16-2014 at 11:10 AM.
04-16-2014 at 11:10 AM.
OMG omg omg , category icons are back Big Grin
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McRofles
04-16-2014 at 11:16 AM.
04-16-2014 at 11:16 AM.
Local radio station along with Equal sweetener and a local jeweler are giving away a $14k diamond engagement ring. Supposedly only 80 people will receive invitations to the two hour event downtown that they will give the ring away at. I received an email about two hours after entering asking for my information. They sent me an invitation, not a whole lot of info on it besides where and when. No dress code mentioned or exactly what's going to happen during these two hours. I can't find much about this event online. Did find a website that said only way in was to win an invitation, but then also said they were extending a special invitation to attend. Part of me feels like this is a marketing ploy, other part of me wants to know if I won a diamond ring, especially if the odds are one in 80.

Would you go?

(Sorry for the long story)
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JD123
04-16-2014 at 11:38 AM.
04-16-2014 at 11:38 AM.
Quote from McRofles :
Local radio station along with Equal sweetener and a local jeweler are giving away a $14k diamond engagement ring. Supposedly only 80 people will receive invitations to the two hour event downtown that they will give the ring away at. I received an email about two hours after entering asking for my information. They sent me an invitation, not a whole lot of info on it besides where and when. No dress code mentioned or exactly what's going to happen during these two hours. I can't find much about this event online. Did find a website that said only way in was to win an invitation, but then also said they were extending a special invitation to attend. Part of me feels like this is a marketing ploy, other part of me wants to know if I won a diamond ring, especially if the odds are one in 80.

Would you go?

(Sorry for the long story)
I'd go.

Radio stations are usually good at giving out free food (and beer) at events like this, and the DJs are usually funny and entertaining. Hopefully you'll have a good time even if you don't win.

Call the station, someone there must have some idea what they are going to do for the event.
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Joined Aug 2007
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Coyotezeye
04-16-2014 at 11:54 AM.
04-16-2014 at 11:54 AM.
Quote from McRofles :
Local radio station along with Equal sweetener and a local jeweler are giving away a $14k diamond engagement ring. Supposedly only 80 people will receive invitations to the two hour event downtown that they will give the ring away at. I received an email about two hours after entering asking for my information. They sent me an invitation, not a whole lot of info on it besides where and when. No dress code mentioned or exactly what's going to happen during these two hours. I can't find much about this event online. Did find a website that said only way in was to win an invitation, but then also said they were extending a special invitation to attend. Part of me feels like this is a marketing ploy, other part of me wants to know if I won a diamond ring, especially if the odds are one in 80.

Would you go?

(Sorry for the long story)
I have seen similar stunts with radio stations. They are usually legit. They will have different ways of picking a winner. I went to one where the grand prize was a whole man cave thing. They put everyone's names in a hat and drew names occasionally & they were eliminated. The last name in the hat won.
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