Sweepstakes were never intended to be a hobby and they are not designed with the sweepstakes enthusiast, or sweeper, in mind. A sweepstakes, first and foremost, is a marketing and promotion tool for the company who sponsors it. They use it to promote their business to gain more customers and ultimately make more money – plain and simple.
==>> She’s not sharing, no way, no how!
Not everyone is going to agree with me when I say that you should enter sweepstakes responsibly. I am not going to tell you what to do or how to think. I am just sharing my opinions, what I believe, and always giving you something to think about. If you have been reading long enough you will know that I am “persnickety” when it comes to certain things like thanking the sponsor, being grateful for what you win, and not entering for prizes you don’t need.
Therefore, if we as the hobbiest want to maintain a good relationship with the sponsors so that they continue to sponsor sweepstakes we should “think before we act” and enter sweepstakes with certain things in mind.
When Not To Enter a Sweepstakes
You Aren’t EligibleYou should not enter a sweepstakes if you are not eligible. When you are reading the official rules there will be an eligibility section in there that will tell you the age you need to be, whether the sweepstakes is restricted to certain states, or if it is only intended for a specific group of people, like nurses, teachers, smoker, military personnel, etc. If you don’t qualify, you shouldn’t try to enter. Why? If you are picked as a winner you may have to prove that you fit into one of those restrictions set forth in the official rules. If it is a military sweepstakes you have to give a copy of your military ID and if you don’t have it you don’t get the prize.
Prizes You Don’t Want
Don’t enter if you really don’t want the prize. That is my motto. If you don’t want it for yourself, can’t give it to someone else who does want it, can’t sell it, or are entering just to get something free then I say don’t enter that sweepstakes. Leave it for someone else who does want it. Why do I need a Barbie doll anyway when I don’t have kids? And why enter for prizes you don’t need or want when they are literally millions of prizes out there to be won at any given moment?
Yes, there is a huge thrill in winning prizes but what is the point of getting something you don’t want and having it go into a drawer or closet? Is the thrill that important?
Don’t have kids but you entered to win a trip to Disney anyhow? Why? That trip can’t be given away to someone you know with kids. Hate golfing but you entered to win golf clubs? Why? Entered to win woman’s hosiery but you are a man? Well, okay, we’ll just stop right there.
If you win a trip, you usually can’t give it away to someone because trips are non-transferable. And most of the time you can’t get a cash alternative for prizes either. There are always exceptions to the rule though. Of course, some prizes could be used as gifts. I am just saying, be selective about what you enter, and don’t just enter to win something just to get something for nothing. Go to Walmart.com if you want something for nothing and request one of their free samples. They have new ones every week. Let someone else win what you really don’t want.
Taxes, taxes, and more taxes
Make sure you read the value of the prizes listed in the official rules. If you think you couldn’t or wouldn’t want to pay taxes on something like a $7,000 trip, then don’t enter for it. You always have to claim prizes as “other income,” and depending on what you already earn, it could bring your income much higher than you expected and you could owe a huge tax bill. As a recent big winner found out, a $50,000 prize could cost you $17,000 in taxes which is roughly 30% of the value of that prize. However, if you are willing to pay the taxes and can figure out a way to do it or sell the prize then go for it.
The Responsibility Project
Dissing the Sponsor
A responsible sweeper never talks down to the sponsor, yells at them because they didn’t get their prize on time, it wasn’t what they wanted, or something got messed up along the way. Hello – these are people too. So you didn’t really want that $1.50 coffee sample that took 4 weeks to show up but hey, you entered for that and you won it. Yes, you wanted the shiny new car but you didn’t get it. Be grateful for what you received and move on to the next sweepstakes. Okay, I know I sound like your mother so go make your bed and eat your peas already.
Maybe you will win what you want at another time. And, if you need to call the judging agency or sponsor be kind and remember that they are human too. In all of the years I have entered sweepstakes and won prizes I have never had a problem I couldn’t solve and in the end it all works out. You have to be patient sometimes but that is just common courtesy.Never go on a trip where the sponsor or judging agency is present and complain about it. Or talk about how you like their competitors product better than theirs. Or, tell them that you enter sweepstakes all of the time and win lots of prizes – like ho hum, this is just another notch on my belt. Very bad form indeed! (thank you Captain Hook)
Sending Thank You Notes
It is very good form to send a thank you note to the sponsor or judging agency when you win a big prize. I usually wait until the prize is over $1,000 before I do it. It can be simple and to the point. You can say how the prize made a difference in your life and send a picture. Sponsors are people too – see real people reference above – and like to here thank you just like the next guy.
What Will You Give To Those in Need
I got a bit ticked off last year when a long-sweeper I know won over and over and over, racking up $85,000 in prizes I believe in one year. She ranted and raved about this trip and that trip, and lots of cash and gift certificates and on and on. Was that the problem? Absolutely not! I am always happy to see people who work hard win big.
The problem I had is she never gave back; never lifted a finger to help those in her group or encourage anyone else.
Okay, here’s my little story. When my kids were little we had a coffee can and it had that phrase on the side of it – What Will You Give to Those in Need? (yes, I was big into craft projects) They would get allowance each week and they were required to put something in that can. It was to teach them that, okay, you were given something but there are those you have needs out there that you can meet and you should give back. I’m not sure if it taught them anything but it was the principle of the thing.
I also learned along the way that you don’t have to give money. I have never had money to give but what I do have is knowledge. I have been given a gift of teaching and for a long time it was quilting, then computers, software, web design, then sweepstakes, how to get stuff for free, and how to blog and make money. Whatever I learn I just pass on to someone who comes along who needs it.
When it comes to the world of sweepstakes maybe you share sweepstakes with someone else, help them figure out the rules, help them get votes in a contest, give out codes for sweeps that need them, or just give a little encouragement. That last one is a biggie because we all get discouraged and want to give up at times.
Okay, you can hate on me now and call me the devil of Sweepsdome. Yes, the horns are real. I’m jumping down off this tall soap box and returning to normal (whatever that is). I’ve had this post ready to go for sometime and just finished it now so it isn’t intended to be directed at anyone. I just wanted to share my philosophy for ethical sweeping and for better or worse, this is it.
Wendy, you are so right about all of it; especially the "thank you" to the sponsor, and the part about "giving back"………thanks for this article. I recently won a $100 Publix Gift Card and I e-mailed Publix right away and thanked them for it and told them it will really help with groceries, etc. They e-mailed me back, too! It is always nice to show "gratitude", and to be thankful for "what we have" and "what we receive"! When I won the Brooks Sweeps in April, I "thanked" them, plus I "gave back" some of it to a couple of charities that I regularly donate, and the church (who disseminates to needy families, etc.). It is always a "good thing" to "pay it forward" when we are blessed! Your articles are always helpful, Wendy! Thanks for thinking of us and sharing!
Barb in Jax FL
[email protected]
Blunt and to the point great article my kinda sytle to. Not everyone likes it but oh will thanks for the great insite.
Great article, Wendy. Thanks!
-Erin R.
Thanks for the replies. Yes, I tend to be a blunt and to the point. It has gotten me into trouble many times 🙂 But I like getting to the point fast and not dancing around it.
Thanks for the good reminder of ethical sweeping and being grateful for what we have!
Nice article Wendy! I admit I whine sometimes…will try to keep that in check! I try send a thank you for small things as it is no different than thanking a child for a picture they made special for me! After all, we want to continue having these great sweeps and everyone, including companies, will get tired of ungrateful people.
Wendy, I wish there were more people like you. You do so much to give back. You've been kind enough to help many people with IWG and sweeps. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into helping us find many contests and IWG that we enter. So far, I've won some of the smaller items, but it still makes me so happy and excited to see that winning screen. I'm always grateful for any of my wins, especially those wonderful Coke cards that truly do come in handy during these rough times. Hopefully one day I will be lucky enough to have that one big win, but until then, I will continue to be glad and grateful for any prize I'm lucky enough to win. Thank you again for not only being a wonderful cheerleader to all your readers, but for also keeping us encouraged and motivated as well. RIDE THE WAVE! And most of all, thank you for also for being such a kind, helpful and generous person.
I was the person that e-mailed you several weeks ago about the free EOS lip balm offer. Unfortunately they were all gone before you had a chance to put it up on Sweeties Swag, but I will definitely continue to keep my eyes open for more things I can find to share with you and your readers.
Kathy G
really think about everyone on sweeties sweeps is so nice and helpful. I also try to do my part as we all get bummed from time to time. my hubby just won our first big win and i know we will remember to send marlboro a thank you ! And a thank you for all the people on the chat that made me feel great about . A win is not a win without anyone to tell. I love to share my wins with others and i love to hear there wins! thanks for the great website. heather
Hey Sweetie,
You are absolutely right! I need to definitely write a thank you note for the big prize I received in July. Who do you recommend I thank and who do you recommend I send it to? My prize was sponsored by a large company but their marketing/advertising people are the only ones I dealt with. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jul/jev399
If you want to write a thank you note just look your original email or paperwork to find the contact person. I have sent thank you notes to the judging agency and asked them to send along to the sponsor when I didn't have their contact info.
Sweetie you are perfectly correct. There are actually people out there who will win sometehing then say to the person whom wanted it "I already have one". Those people do irk me as well,as the people who want or need it are being gypped by their greed.
I thanked the Arbor Mist for the gift card I won,and let them know that I got it as well. I still enter contests,but I am keeping in mind that I do not want to win 50k…I just want to get what I need.
Giving others a chance to win is a big thing for me too. If I can't use it or dislike it I let someone else get it!
Thanks for sharing the common ethos of all of us in the sweeping brother/sisterhood.
Yeah! YEAH! A little more practice of "The Golden Rule" in all areas of our lives, including sweeps, would benefit us all! And, I am very new at this and have no won anything significant yet, but as a perfect example: The Smucker's uncrustable free sample…the website was spitting out an error message so I copied and sent it to the company in an email and politey let them know about it. They not only acknowledge via a letter that they were aware of that, but send me TWO coupons for free products instead of just the one sample I would have gotten if I was able to log on. They responded to a polite email very quickly, so yes, you can catch more flies with honey!
Great article. I believe that if you share you will actually be blessed with even more. I have always said that if I win one of those food for a year sweepstakes, that I would donate the gift cards to a family in need or shelter 🙂 I am also VERY grateful for every win (big or small). It's one less dollar that you have to spend of your own hard earned money.
Good article Wendy, and many things that you said needed saying. Again thanks for all you do!
Great Article Wendy…..well said!
donna j
"pennywise"
I agree. I didn't know what to expect when I started sweeping in February, but I appreciate everything I win. I haven't won a big prize, but all those little ones add up.
I pass on a lot of sweeps because I know up front that I don't really want some of those prizes. I always ask myself "do I REALLY want that? Can I afford to maintain it? Can I pay the taxes on it? If I can't, what the heck am I going to do if I win it?" If the answers to any of those questions leave me squeaminsh or panicky, then I don't enter that sweep.
It took a few snafus, but I've learned to read the rules BEFORE I enter to make sure I understand exactly what the prizes are, the ARVs, whether substitutions can be made, etc. If I know that winning a particular prize is going to prevent more or a hardship than a blessing… then I don't enter that sweep. Why take the winning opportunity away from someone else who may be in a better position to accept it and use it simply so I can brag that I won it"? I try to make good sweeping choices for me and my family.
I, too, have taken the opportunity to thank some sponsors for some of my nicer wins because it's "minding your manners". It's the right thing to do when you're on the receiving end of a kindness, a thoughtful gesture, and gifts. Winning a sweep should be no different. Besides, offering a heartfelt "Thank you so much for the prize I received in the xxxxxxxx sweepstakes" feels good to say!
Great advice, Sweetie.
Thank you!! (boy, that felt good. :P)
I have been sweeping since March. I am a senior citizen and do it as a hobby. I don't want to travel so I don't even bother with those sweeps. I give most of my wins to my daughter and her family. I do believe in sharing that is what makes my hobby so much fun. I read and print the rules of every sweep I play and put it in a binder. If you don't follow the rules you are wasting your time.
very nice article! Thank you so much for all your help! May God bless you and your family!
Thanks for posting this. I needed to read it.I want to have a'happy hobby not a 'greed grab'. I am taking thing off my favorites that I don't need or cannot be gifts. Keep up telling us the hard truth- we can always take it or leave it,but you've had your say.
I am tickled pink reading this article. I have never been one to enter sweepstakes and the desire to give is what got me started just a couple of months ago. The economy coupled w/my health and the medical bills that go with it have made a serious impact on my finances. I got the idea to try and earn/win holiday presents for family and items that my local shelter can use as the weather turns cold. If everyone would try to give just a little bit, this world would be so much better. Best of luck to everybody.
This is a wonderful article. It really does make you feel good to share. For anyone ticked off by this knowledge – I challenge you to do something nice (teach someone about sweeps, give some of your winnings, etc.) and NOT feel great after wards. Thanks so much Sweetie for all you do for us. I know without you and your site, 100's of us would have never won!
Very, very well said Wendy! You are 1 of a kind and I am so glad I found your site! 🙂
I love your site and all the wonderful tips!
Absolutely. For example, the first couple of years, I was thrilled to win ANYTHING at all. Now I have won more hats and t-shirts than I ever need for the rest of my life. I do not wear hats or tees. I occasionally sleep in a big t-shirt. The rest go to waste (except they don't, bec I donate them). So I quite entering sweeps where all the prizes were hats, tees, coffee mugs, water bottles, key chains, etc. I do not need a win bad enough to just accumulate more crap in my life. I absolutely do NOT agree with those who say "a win is a win". Some wins junk up my life, cost the sponsor money, keep a fellow sweeper from winning and generate a tax bill I don't want. That is not a win; that is a loss, not to mention the time and perhaps supplies and postage it cost me to enter. A win is only a win if I gain something from it, and I don't mean a temporary adrenaline rush. You make a great point: if you need something in your mailbox that bad, sign up for some free samples. Or better yet, be a giver: send someone a get well card or a card of encouragement. Our society has forgotten how to use the snail mail to love people. It just annoys people with most of what comes in the mail. You and I can be the one to make someone's day with a card or letter instead of being the mailbox watcher!