How do you decide which to enter or to avoid?? Red flags??

H

hostaaddict

New member
Having only been entering sweeps for 4 months, I thought perhaps you veterans could help us newbies with some tips:
ex: Are there certain phrases to look for in the rules section, are those that are lumped together with maybe a $10,000.00 prize ever won by SA members, are there many cruise wins that are totally free, is there ever a time when you have to pay a deposit or anything up front, etc. Do most share info or does that make you stop? Anything about the affidavits?
Just curious what red flags you look for.
I realize personal preference determines what you enter, but I want to know what to watch out for.
I love this site and really enjoy this new hobby. Just want to be a smarter sweeper and would like to know what throws up a red flag for you.
Thanks for any help! ...J
 
: How do you decide which to enter or to avoid?? Red flags?

rules is where the action is at. There are legit trip sweeps and some do state other fee's involved.I myself am not a trip person so I do not enter for trips unless there is another prize example, car or cash involved.If a sweep does not haver a place to opt out of solicitations, then I will not enter. Many do have a place that you check or not check to receive third and 1st party e-mail.
 
: How do you decide which to enter or to avoid?? Red flags?

I'm like Lee in that I rarely enter "trip" sweeps. I only enter the trips where (1) It is somewhere that I really want to go. (2) The value (after I calculate my taxes in my head) looks like a good deal. I entered a vacation sweep here recently where it plainly stated that it would send you brochures and I thought "Oh a few brochures, I can handle that", Yet now I am getting about 4 to 5 large envelopes with maps, full size travel brochures, etc. on a daily basis. It makes me feel really bad because all of this is such an paper waste. I don't think my husband cares for it much either because he has to haul all of it to the recycling center in town.

I also try to just enter "major company sweeps". That are places I know that the only emails or phone calls I will receive is pertaining to that ONE company. I try to be very careful not to enter direct marketing sweeps or sweeps that may be related to timeshares, etc.

If you are unsure about a particular sweep, look around on the page for a privacy policy and look over it. Try and be sure that they are not going to be selling your name to 3rd parties.

One other thing that I do if I am unsure about a particular sweep is wait and see how many others are entering it and what they might have to say positive or negative about it. I was holding off on the Heartland sweeps for a while because they were new and I saw a contest for Branson (Branson has a lot of Timeshares so I was worried about getting phone calls from someone wanting to sell me a timeshare). After, I saw that it was getting alot of hits and no complaints I started entering :smt001 also. :smt001
 
: How do you decide which to enter or to avoid?? Red flags?

Me too! I receive brochures everyday. I don't mind, i like looking at what other states have to offer. (places i'll never see!)
I don't enter the ones that say "if you enter expect a phone call from us". I've seen those. I don't want people calling me up trying to get me to buy something.

I enter trips. Never won. I would love to win a trip....Hint. Hint (disney!)
but alot of trips do offer you a cash alternative, so enter those ones. if you win you can always opt for the cash. you have to take the time to read the rules. there is a little link on the contest page of SA that says "rules" . click on that and that will take you to the page and you can read it once and decide whether to check it off as my sweeps page.
 
Re: How do you decide which to enter or to avoid?? Red flag

hostaaddict _ I'll do my best :smt002

Are there certain phrases to look for in the rules section,

I look for limits - on entries/prizes - because there are 3 of us who sweep and I don't want any of us to get DQ'd.

And like red60 - I wait on some I'm not really sure of - I just click COMMENTS and change it from WATCH to UNWATCH so if anyone posts - positive or negative - I can make a more informed decision.

I also look to see if they have any wording about requiring a photo of the winner - that's a deal breaker for me :smt003


are those that are lumped together with maybe a $10,000.00 prize ever won by SA members,

Creative presentations? Not sure if any SA'ers have hit them? I used to enter them (like the HEARST) only because there were numerous smaller prizes too. But the majority now only have one big prize between many companies, so I only enter if I have time - I focus more on daily/IW prize sweeps.

are there many cruise wins that are totally free,

Look for the ones that offer $$$ to offset taxes fees. There are few, but they ARE out there!!!

is there ever a time when you have to pay a deposit or anything up front, etc.

VERY rarely have I seen it, but the smaller companies who give away their own product do sometimes require the winner to pay the shipping

Do most share info or does that make you stop?

I guess you have to weigh them yourself - I usually go by WHY they want the info - do they state it's or contacting the winner ONLY? Or do they share info with 3d parties?

Anything about the affidavits?

Make sure you mail them return receipt reqested, and follow up to ensure they received it - I'm fairly certain my laptop win was because someone won and didn't follow through so lost the prize!!!
 
: How do you decide which to enter or to avoid?? Red flags?

Thanks for all the good info! I really appreciate it. Amy, thanks also for the input on my other posts. Like you, I would hate the photo request LOL!! And if the camera wins don't materialize, I will just keep on sweeping. Appreciate all the comments....J
 
: How do you decide which to enter or to avoid?? Red flags?

If it is illegal in Florida it is probably one of those that go on and on and make you to "choose" one of the "partner's "offers; "silver" awards, etc. Alot of these "sweepstales" are for gift cards, and the site has no affiliation with the gift card you receive. Example:Wal Mart $500.00 gift card etc.
 
: How do you decide which to enter or to avoid?? Red flags?

The responses above are truly excellent. Here are some of the things I consider when deciding which sweeps to enter:

- Prizes offered: I only enter for things I want to win. A prize I am not interested in is something that others would love to have.

- Credibility of the website's claims: This morning, I saw a site that claims that it awards over $250,000 in daily cash prizes.

- Appearance of the website: If a website looks cheesy, I avoid it.

- Does Robo work or do I need to keystroke?

- If I win a prize, how much income tax am I liable for? Do I really want to win a movie showing for 100 friends? What would be the cost for inviting 100 neighbors to breakfast if you win? The IRS will want their cut after the party is over.

- Rules/Terms/Conditions/Privacy policy: Examine the legalese. Who am I agreeing to share my information with?

- Requirements for entry: Occasionally, I submit recipes, stories, tips, and trivia answers, but that takes more time than just filling out a form. Sometimes after working all day, it's just easier to avoid more questions when I feel like relaxing.

Hope this helps. Again, the above respondents offer some great advice.

Regards,
Chuck
 
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