forum thread Posted by FreebiesRGreat • Jun 3, 2008
Jun 3, 2008 2:50 AM
forum thread Posted by FreebiesRGreat • Jun 3, 2008
Jun 3, 2008 2:50 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://agilewebsolutio
FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.
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.
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://agilewebsolutio
FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.
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://agilewebsolutio
FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.
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.
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://agilewebsolutio
FireFox Form Filler browser extensions: https://addons.mozilla.
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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9,744 Comments
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I see people giving links like this- http://twitter.com/username/status/00000000000
Bah!
I won a free jar of Pace today and $10 Best Buy Rewards from McDonalds. YAY!!!!!!!!
play the SoBe IWG cause no one ever loses that lol
play the SoBe IWG cause no one ever loses that lol
You are so helpful to all of us
Now off to Target when they open to get more Sobe (hopefully with WIN codes and not "YOU LOSE"-last batch, had 4 of the game caps and only one winner.)
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I started into the sweepstakes/instant win game thing a few weeks ago. I probably do about 200-300 contests a day in my spare time around work and the kids. I know it will be several months or even more before I see a big one (if I even see one at all.)
My main question is about IWG's. When do most of you play them? I have heard that you should play at like 2-3 AM if you want any chance of winning, but that is just not something I can do everyday. Is it possible to win at other times of the day and if so what times are second best?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. I know this must be an annoying question and I apologize.
There ARE folks who will tell you the best time to play IWG's is at early morning hours & there may be some truth to that in some cases.
HOWEVER, I have won many, many valuable instant wins- playing during more reasonable hours. I've won from many large companies- everything from electronics to vacations on IWGs and I can tell 'ya I don't do much sweeping after midnight because that's my personal cut off.
People will constantly barage (sp police step in) you with tips and tricks they may swear by or that work for them consistently. Don't fall for it- you have 2 factors to consider, 1- if they KNEW how to win 'em all, do you really think they'd give out THAT to a complete stranger? I mean I'm a nice person- but, it's a Me world in my house! 2. EVERY sweeps is operated by different individuals, businesses, marketing agencies, promo agencies and so on. As such- each methodology for each sweep, can also be just as different. It is more of a numbers game than anything else... The more you enter- the more chances you have to win, however- there is also a human factor because most newer sweepers typically don't read the rules, which you will see written to do time and time again. Rules vary constantly, get changed or can just be read differently by different folks. Entering more than once on the blue moon, second week, 3rd monday of every month that has said circumstance could void your entry if they wanted only for you to mention the blue moon.
Find a method or system that works for YOU- don't try to take advice from strangers. Again, if they knew the secret to winning them all- they wouldn't tell you. (don't worry- I don't & believe most others don't either!) You will find often- the masses can be severely wrong- which helps greatly when YOU make choices on your own. Don't always trust them to tell you the truth or know it if they see it. I heard forever Readers digest is a scam, they will spam you- blah, blah, blah... Um, my shiny new car in my driveway came from them & not a lick of mail, phone calls (other than the win) or spam has come before, during or since I got that.
Try to filter for businesses whose names or agencies you do know, and work from there in a method that is reasonable and comfortable for you. I say this because if you don't do it that way- you will quickly lose interest during dry spells. It's hard to stay into it when you get a tshirt & pad of paper after a year or so... But, if you can stick with it- You will get a reward down the line if you do it long enough. The sun shines on a dogs behind & all... Eventually, it just has to happen.
A few weeks ago I won a fliphd video camera from hostess:
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?
However, it came via ups requiring a signature while I was on vacation for two weeks and I just got back to find that the 5 day waiting period has expired and that it has already been shipped back but is still in transit. I didn't get a email for the win so I don't have anywhere/anyone to contact. Any advice/ideas on what I should do? The rules say that if the prize is returned undeliverable it may be void.
Does anyone have any contacts other than the published ones on the companies web site or the magazines site???
Does anyone have any contacts other than the published ones on the companies web site or the magazines site???
I usually suggest you find contacts for customer service and some marketing/ad exec/peeps.
A polite email copied to a few of them usually gets some action.
Here are some pages with some contacts that MAY work for you:
http://www.bauermedia.
http://www.bauerpublis
http://www.bauerpublis
If you like phoning, the main phone for them is Tel.: 1 (201) 569 - 6699
- with any luck, they can direct you to someone who can assist you!
This guy looks like a good bet for the marketing/ad guy:
http://www.bauerpublis
http://www.bauerpublis
I'd copy in similar people at the particular magazine, if possible.
ALSO, if you can copy the emails to the ad/marketing person and customer service of the brand of the prize, that can help.
Prizes are often a method of advertising and the prize brand usually will be concerned and try to get action too.
Good Luck!
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Sometimes there can be snags behind the scenes you aren't aware of. I think of my own- which was a significant win years back, it took nearly 6 months of calls & emails to finally get it resolved and in my hands. I found out later, that business portion was sold (it was a major company) to another, and I'm thinking perhaps they were debating whose lap it landed in to cover ME.
Here's MY methods of collecting- I'll do polite some time, then- we have to do what we have to do. I'd email and suggest to them that if not resolved within 2 weeks that you will report them to the states regulation boards. Most states monitor sweeps- I'm in FL & they are huge about protecting us floating idiots from the big old companies that will pounce on our stupidity. I've only had a handful (out of 100's) of wins I'd say were more difficult than average to get the prizes in on. Then, I've had a few- one recently, where I wasn't even TOLD I'd won until MONTHS later, recently it was one from JAN! When I first got major into it online- I had one send me a notice nearly a YEAR after it ended! lol. Such is the life of a sweeper... It happens. Chin up and move on- look to the next ones.
I've won from Bauer and I'm trying to think off the top of my head- but, I don't remember ever getting notices of wins, they just 'came' in the mail. I'd have to dig to see if I got a larger one- generally trips they will wait until it's about a month before to send more info. I had a trip win one year- for the following year, I didn't hear a peep until right before time to go & then I finally got a package with money, tickets and such to go. I think sweeping takes an extraordinary amount of patience & understanding. Sometimes, we're as green as the companies doing them!