Advice needed before I accept.

I won a trip to Hawaii last year from Woman's Day. It included air fare. The trip was for 5 nights, which wasn't practical for us since we had to fly from the east coast. I asked if we could add 5 additional nights at our own expence and they were wonderful to work with me to arrange the flights to allow for our extra stay. Also, I didn't like the flights they chose for us at first so I asked for an easier route, and they also fixed that for us. We had a wonderful time. I passed up another trip once to Austin, Tx. because it was only for 3 nights and now I wish I at least had tried to add another 3 or 4 days at my own expence. I never thought you could work with the sponsers of these contests and that you had to take the trip "as is". Before anyone jumps on me for entering a contest I might refuse, sometimes the contest has several additional lower prizes that I would want. I always think I would be more likely to win one of those prizes than the Grand Prize, so I enter them.
 
If you do accept this, you need to document all the exact expenses for tax purposes. We've won seven trips so far, and none of them even added up to half of the ARV; and the IRS requires that you report the fair market value (FMV), not the ARV. You can also extend the trip at your cost.

To a previous post, airfare not being included doesn't deem the prize not free, a gimmick, nor makes the sponsor cheap. The description of the prize is laid out, and everything included is free (except, of course, the taxes).

Everyone should make sure they understand what the prize being offered is and choose to enter based on whether they want and can accept the prize. If someone won't be able to accept such a prize or doesn't like the prize, they should just pass it up and move on. This is the reason a sponsor ends up going down a list of alternates trying to find someone to accept the prize, because alot of people enter without checking what they are actually entering for.

Another site I belong to, the members there do nothing but complain and bad-mouth the sponsor whenever a prize is small or a trip doesn't include airfare and/or spending money. :nono: I don't get the logic or mentality of doing that! :scratch:
 
Mommie,

Congrats!

I'll echo what the first commenter (DavidP) said. You can adjust the stated value. I use Turbo Tax and it asks me if I wish to do so on taxable prize winnings. Also the other advice on possibly extending the stay sounds good to me.

Let us know what you decide!
 
I have been to the Beaches in Turks & Caicos . . . fabulous resort!!! I would love to go back. Go for it! It doesn't include air fare?
 
I entered this sweepstakes too and if I am remembering correctly, it does not include air fare. If you accept the prize, enjoy it! Plan on paying for airfare and if you don't have to - even better!

My Fiance and I are getting married in June and we would be thrilled to bits to win a trip like this. Actually, that is the whole reason I started sweeping in the first place, to win a nice Honeymoon! No luck for me so far, so consider yourself lucky!

And I agree with the previous poster...please don't enter sweeps you don't really want to win.
 
johnsnook said:
YOU HAVE TO PAY YOUR OWN AIRFARE? WHAT KIND OF PRIZE IS THAT? SOUNDS LIKE A DISCOUNTED TRAVEL PACKAGE. I GET THOSE ALL THE TIME, FREE TRIP/CRUISE, ALL I HAVE TO DO IS PAY ALL THE EXPENSES, SO THIS IS NOT FREE, OR A PRIZE. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THE TAXES, EXPENSES, FOOD, ETC. AND THE OVERALL MONEY IS CHEAPER THAN YOU COULD GET IT ANYWHERE ELSE, THEN YOU GET A DISCOUNTED TRIP, AND WHY NOT?
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There are many trips that I enter for where I don't need the transportation, or would rather provide my own.

There's no law or rule that says ANYTHING must be included in any prize.

As with every other contest.......if you don't like the prize, don't enter.
 
LIDARKSIDE said:
Everyone should make sure they understand what the prize being offered is and choose to enter based on whether they want and can accept the prize. If someone won't be able to accept such a prize or doesn't like the prize, they should just pass it up and move on. This is the reason a sponsor ends up going down a list of alternates trying to find someone to accept the prize, because alot of people enter without checking what they are actually entering for.
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EXACTLY.... I agree.... why enter a sweep if when you are picked as a winner, you decline the prize... Why waste your time entering and lowering others odds of winning if you don't intend on even accepting the prize :scratch:
 
CONGRATS on your win mommiemjh!!! :headbang: :cheers: :headbang:

LDS gives good advice, having gone through this 7 times herself, so I can't add to it.

But, I will say DON'T beat yourself up/let others beat you up for missing the no airfare part - entering sweeps is a learning curve, and we've ALL entered something we didn't pay total attention on like we should have - learn from it and move on!!! :sunny:

I hope it works out for you and you enjoy your trip!!! :headbang:

amy
 
congrats on the win. I hope you are able to accept it. It sounds like a great trip..

I dont enter for trips usually but if I did if it didnt say no airfare in huge letters I probably wouldnt notice. :laughing: Like amy says its not unusual to miss something in the rules.. live and learn.
 
3mnkids1 said:
congrats on the win. I hope you are able to accept it. It sounds like a great trip..

I dont enter for trips usually but if I did if it didnt say no airfare in huge letters I probably wouldnt notice. :laughing: Like amy says its not unusual to miss something in the rules.. live and learn.
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I agree, and not everyone reads all the rules through all the time , and since this was turned down by @ least one other person before you, they saw it as something they did not want the extra expense of or could not afford so either way take it or decline and it goes on to the next.
 
champagne said:
LIDARKSIDE said:
Everyone should make sure they understand what the prize being offered is and choose to enter based on whether they want and can accept the prize. If someone won't be able to accept such a prize or doesn't like the prize, they should just pass it up and move on. This is the reason a sponsor ends up going down a list of alternates trying to find someone to accept the prize, because alot of people enter without checking what they are actually entering for.
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EXACTLY.... I agree.... why enter a sweep if when you are picked as a winner, you decline the prize... Why waste your time entering and lowering others odds of winning if you don't intend on even accepting the prize :scratch:
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If they decline the prize, that does NOT lower your odds champ. As noted, someone else declined before she was selected - if she declines, who knows?
 
Don't be bothered by the rude comments here. Even if you read the rules and knew there was no airfaire you probably couldn't predict exactly how much it would be. I think everyone has the right to enter with as much information as they have at the time and make a final decision when they have the paperwork in hand. Peoples circumstances change all the time...especially in today's economy. If you can't afford the taxes and other additional expenses then don't feel guilty for doing what's smart for you personally. Although I hope you are able to accept...it sounds like it would be a nice trip.
 
anikka said:
Don't be bothered by the rude comments here. Even if you read the rules and knew there was no airfaire you probably couldn't predict exactly how much it would be. I think everyone has the right to enter with as much information as they have at the time and make a final decision when they have the paperwork in hand. Peoples circumstances change all the time...especially in today's economy. If you can't afford the taxes and other additional expenses then don't feel guilty for doing what's smart for you personally. Although I hope you are able to accept...it sounds like it would be a nice trip.
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Yes, circumstances change all the time and there are worse things in the world than turning down a prize. There are lots of sweepers that enter sweeps trying to win 1st or 2nd prizes never even dreaming that they would win a grand prize only to be face with the question of 'what now?' when they did.

I know it is sickening ~ the one and only trip prize I have won I had to decline due to a conflict with my husbands surgery. It was really hard to do! If you can work it out ~ great! If not, don't beat yourself up over it! I really hope you can work it out some way though! Good luck!
 
Folks, it's not the winner who stated she didn't know about the airfare, it was a subsequent poster. All of you screaming at her to read the rules maybe should read the post first! :headbang:

Also, airfare and such has gone up considerably since the sweep first came out. Although starting to come down, it is not where it was in early 2008.

I think Mommie is right in looking at the overall picture. How many people win a prize, accept the prize and then get hit with some serious taxes?

Congrats to you on a great win. I hope you find a way to make it work for your family. Maybe making it a couples trip will make it feasible, expense wise.

Best of luck to you.
 
mommiemjh - Congrats on your win. What you want to do is mentally make a dry run of the entire trip from beginning to end and jot all of your expenses down and then add them all up. That means that for the plane trip, not only the airfare, but luggage cart, airline luggage fees, airline gas fees, tips for skycap, meals on the plane, if applicable , etc, etc. If you haven't flown before, ask someone who has. The hotel is free for days you won, but you have to leave tips for the maid and bellboy, bottled water from "the bar" etc. especially if you need anything extra such a a crib or extra linens. If you make calls from the hotel room, you will have to pay for those. Some telephones are serviced by carriers that may not accept your calling card and they may charge more than you expected. If you plan to stay longer, call the hotel in which you plan to stay see what they charge for the days you will actually stay there. If you decide to go on the trip and extend your stay, don't forget to make hotel reservations ahead of time for those days and try to negotiate a discount. Allow yourself extra money in case you have to purchase something you forgot to pack or lose something such as sunglasses, hat, jacket, etc. When traveling with children, you know to expect the unexpected. You can't pack everything and once there you might need things like calamine lotion, bandaids, Neosporin, cold medicine, etc. In a resort area, the cost of incidentals, meals, snacks. etc. can add up quickly. If, after adding all your expenses up plus a little wiggle room, you can swing it, go and have a wonderful time. Keep all of your receipts pertaining to the win. When you get home, you can sort them out for the IRS. Take lots of pictures so that you can savor the trip forever. You will relive the joy every time you look at those pictures. I hope you can go and enjoy. Congrats, again.
 
It's up to you - I don't enter any vacation ones at all unless they include everything (airfare, room, transportation to and from hotel, meals) as I just wouldn't have the means to pay for the rest. I would however pay for my own Xanax to actually GET on a plane (but that's another story!).

It is really your call. Can you spare the extra expenses?

Oh my - I forgot to add....CONGRATS on your win! Regardless of what you decide it is nice to win!
 
I won a trip to London for 3 nights, airfare, and concert tickets. The distance was just too far for 3 nights so we added two more. we had to pay for transportation to and from the airport. The exhange rate was 1.70 for 1 pound. Plus they have a 15 % VAt. The bottom line is that it was still an expensive trip, but it was somewhere we wanted to go. If airfare was not included. I would have said no thanks, I'm sure you could get an all inclusive for that money. It's hard to turn it down. I never enter for anything that I don't want to pay taxes on (like a 2500.00 pocketbook).
 
I won a a trip to Colorado Springs for 4 people 6 day/5 nights and it was priced at $5000. It included airfare, hotel, car and $500 for expenses. I think the airfare is included.
 
I say do what works for you and don't get down about it, in my opinion sometimes people take sweeping to serous and get all upset about what the other guy is doing, or get mad at what prizes are offered. The Sponsor's are great to offer any prizes and I am thankful for them or there would be no sweeps and my hobby would be gone. I to have entered many contest where there are several prizes I really want, and some I don't or can't use. I think this has happened to everyone. I hope to win the prize I can use, but if I don't, and win something I can't use, I either give it, sell it, or pass on it. Just do what works for you and congrats on winning, hope you get to go as that would be really fun.
 
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