Tips to Winning Contests & Sweepstakes

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Originally Posted by prince$$

When they mention robotic or automatic, I always assumed they were referring to scripts and paid sites that will enter for you. I always use Roboform (except on flash entry forms) and have won at least once a month (mostly "small" prizes) for the 5 years I've been entering contests (not including the hiatuses I take periodically).

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The thing is.. you might have won some contests only to be unknowingly later disqualified, or it's possible your entries weren't even entered into the drawing, because you used auto-fill.

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Originally Posted by tommygunn

The thing is.. you might have won some contests only to be unknowingly later disqualified, or it's possible your entries weren't even entered into the drawing, because you used auto-fill.

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I doubt it. As I said, I've always interpreted it to mean automatic entry services like this:
http://www.winforme.com/

I've seen some contests where the rules say that your entry must be manually keystroked. I treat those different than the ones that prohibit scripts and robots.

ETA http://contests.about.com/od/sweepst...atic_entry.htm

You may doubt it.. but it's very possible you've been disqualified for using Roboform. You can't say with 100% certainty that you haven't..

It's your choice if you want to take that chance.. :neutral:

You're right. I can't say for sure (neither can you;)). Since it's a hobby and not my livelihood, I'll take that chance.

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Originally Posted by tommygunn

Just one example, I'm sure they wouldn't be too thrilled if they traced the link back here and saw us listing UPC's that are needed to enter certain contests. :surprised:

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Excellent point about the UPC codes....but personally, I don't really enter those types of contests anyways (what if they want to see your actual UPC bar code as part of confirming your win? I have a tendency to throw those things out). Occassionally, I will, but generally not

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Originally Posted by prince$$

You're right. I can't say for sure (neither can you;)). Since it's a hobby and not my livelihood, I'll take that chance.

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Nowhere did I claim to be sure.. I said "you might have been" and "it's possible". ;)

Good luck! :-)

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Originally Posted by Littlemoe0

Maybe not so much of a tip but, don't get yourself down when you are in a slump. You just have to keep entering, it will happen that you win. I also thank everyone for the posts, it's a way of knowing you have entered that contest already, plus the great folks who post contests deserve the thank you's.

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Just want to second that!:-)

did not know auto fills might negate the entry

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Originally Posted by puddin57

You'll notice that most pages have a disclaimer that says that if you accept their newsletters etc, it will not increase your chances of winning....I also say "no" unless it's something that I will read (or browse) or a store flyer that I visit

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Thanks Puddin....!

Another point about winning contests (not sure if it has been covered before!!)

Always check your spam folder for notices of contest winnings...the email from a winning company would not be in your contact lists...

(of course, you probably will have to shift through all the $45,000,000 British Sterling winning notices!!)

baggypants

As I was just recently "reminded"...perseverance, stubborness and determination will go a long way with contests

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Originally Posted by puddin57

I know we're not supposed to direct link for freebies. but is that also true for contests? I can't see how that would matter to the company holding the contest. It might be a factor if they are concerned about fraudulent entries, but alot of contest pages are contacted by the sponsoring companies for a free listing

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That was my thought too. They are looking for traffic to their sites so people can view their products.

I don't use any autofill programs, most browsers will "remember" your information for some of the forms. That should not disqualify you at all.

I always use Roboform for entering contests too, and I hardly ever win.
Carolyn Wilman, the Contest Queen (www.contestqueen.com) advocates for the use of Roboform, and she claims to win several prizes every week from various contests.

As an experiment, I am going to not use Roboform for entering contests for the next little while and see if it makes a difference.

A quick note about the radio station point you make, that actually works...I signed up with the Edge in Toronto to be an inside edge memebr and won a trip to Vegas for two. So I took my wife to Vegas and had a blast!!!