What are YOUR comping Morals?

Ask anyone who enters competitions regularly, anyone who is part of a competitions forum, or anyone who’s ever scanned the “winners list” in the hope of seeing their name….. Many of them will tell you that there are plenty of people out there who have few, if any “Comping Morals”.

So what are Comping Morals? Well, they are similar to the morals and values you hold in every other part of your life. They greatly reflect who you are as a person and how you treat other people. Comping Morals guide the length you will go to, the risks you will take, and the levels you will stoop to in order to win a prize.

Isn’t a prize a prize you might ask? Well of course it is. But should EVERYONE enter every competition just because there is a prize to be had? Well, I for one can’t bring myself to do it but there are many others who will and do…. I’ll explain myself with this example.

Say you see a wedding competition. That competition is giving away a prize that would allow a bride and groom to ease the financial pressure of their wedding, or allow them a little extra luxury. In this case, bridesmaids gowns, clearly it would be an amazing prize for a bride to be. Now, personally I stay away from such competitions. I am happily married, and while I could sell the dresses or perhaps find a friend or someone who could use them, to me, the prize should go to someone who would really appreciate it.

Others however don’t see things this way. Happily married or not, they feel it’s their right to enter the competition. Who cares if they need the prize or not. A prize is a prize and like I said, bridesmaid dresses can be sold!!! To me, this signifies low comping morals, or morals of any kind.

When kindness and decency are pushed aside in order to try and take a prize that would be better served and enjoyed by a bride to be I just can’t agree!!!

Let me know what you think. Do you think situations such as this are moral or immoral? It just angers me so much that i can only hope Karma plays a part if they do win!!!

Australian Mail In Competition Secrets

While it is often the case that you can enter competitions online, via sms or phone call, there are still plenty of Australian competitions allowing you to send in a good ol’ “snail mail” entry.

When competitions run multiple entry formats there is often the question of which way is “best” to enter? Well honestly who really knows? Every competition, company and promotional agency is unique so we can never be sure exactly what occurs once we enter no matter which method we choose. Personally I like to cover all bases and if there’s a great prize with a few entry methods I will often try to do one of each kind.

So when it comes to Australian Mail In Competitions is there anything to know to increase your chances of winning? While no comper can ever be “sure” here are a few hints and tips that have been debated many times.

• Enter using a business side envelope - The standard size in Australia for most competitions is a DL size. This is generally acceptable although it’s fine to use other size envelopes if the terms and conditions don’t specify what to use.
• Use fancy envelopes - This is highly debated. Some people go to all kinds of effort with different colours, drawings, stickers etc. Honestly I have never won a prize using a decorated envelope so I gave that practice up early on and stick to standard DL although others would tell you different. It’s really a personal choice as long as you stick within the competition guidelines.
• Stuff Envelopes - Some people encourage “stuffing” your envelope to make it thicker. I have a feeling the theory behind this is to make your envelope stand out or have more chance of being grabbed by a hand scrambling to choose a winner. Not sure that it makes a difference, although I do know that often the envelopes are opened and the entry form details entered into a computer for an automated draw these days so this may not do anything other than “surprise” the person opening the envelope at the other end!!!
• Enter at different times throughout the competition - This is purely a theory based on spreading your chances around. For example if a competition runs for 4 weeks and I am going to enter multiple times via postal method, I will send in an entry at the beginning, middle and end of the competition.
• Send your entry from different Mail Boxes - This may sound odd, but sometimes mail can get lost or be delayed so if I’m posting in multiple entries, I may use a couple of different mail boxes around town, sometimes on different days, sometimes not.
• Just ENTER!!! - Don’t do what many people do (including me), buy the product, fill in the entry form, write out the envelope, possibly even put a stamp on the envelope and then don’t post it in!!!! No joke there have been many competitions I simply miss out on entering because I think “oh I’ll do it later” or I simply forget. I have sent many entries in via express post too which then ends up costing me closer to $6.00 instead of 55 cents so it sure pays just to send them in when you can!!

AUSTRALIA POST Postage Calculator - If you are still not sure of different sizes or postage costs, then the Australia post Postage calculator for letters lists the sizes and cost so check it out!
GOOD LUCK

Australian Competition - Win $25000 with Catalogue Central

This competition really is a shopper’s dream. Forget the days of missing out on the latest hot buys at retailers near you, or piles of junk mail laying around the house, catalogue central have changed lives forever.

Catalogue Central provides the most up-to-date retail catalogues online so there is no need to ever miss a sale. Plus join now and and you could win $25,000 Cash!

THE BEST PART is that when you join Catalogue Central you are in with a chance to Win $25000 and who wouldn’t enjoy that sort of cash prize right now

This is one not to be missed…. Good LUCK!!

Australian Competitions - Holiday Edition

While writing my latest competition hints and tips post on hidden costs and considerations of winning holidays as prizes, I figured what better time than to post a few great holiday competitions that are currently running!

Win a Round the World Holiday - With Deals Direct - Simply enter your name and email, refer people for more entries

Win one of 10 Aussie Weekends Away - With Qantas - Subscribe to the Red Mail Newsletter

Win a Monkey Mia Experience at Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort - complete the contact form and don’t forget to select the ‘Competition’ option from the drop down menu

Win one of 2 trips to the Queensland Outback - With Queensland Holidays -  Simply Order a FREE copy of the 2009 Queensland’s Outback Travellers’ Guide.

Winning a Holiday - The Real Costs.

Most people would love to win a holiday. Especially when money is tight, it seems like a great option for taking that much wanted break without having to spend a fortune. Unfortunately, there are some considerations that people fail to think about before they jump in and enter holiday competitions.

is not always as carefree as it may seem. There are several costs involved that may not always be included in holiday wins. These could include, car hire, taxes, accomodation, spending money, flights, transfers, passports… and the list goes on.

So what steps should you take before entering a holiday competition?

SIMPLE ——-> Read the terms and conditions before you enter!!!! and ONLY enter if you can fulfill all requirements for entry, allowable holiday dates, and extra expenses!!

Here is a quick reference check list of most things you need to consider before submitting your holiday competition entry:

• Date of travel - Are you available to travel on the dates specified within the terms and conditions? These dates are often not flexible so if you can’t, you will need to forfeit the prize, so it’s best to leave this one to someone who can use the prize if they win.
• Flights - Another major consideration, and believe it or not, many holiday prizes don’t include flights to the destination. This is fine of course as long as you live close, but if the destination is some way away, make sure you can afford flights before you enter. Again, this will mostly be non negotiable and the prize will need to be forfeited if you can’t get there!
• Taxes - Even if flights are included in a prize, there are often other fees and taxes which will not be. This especially comes into play if the holiday you win includes an overseas destination. If an entire family is travelling, fees and taxes could be over a thousand dollars, so it pays to consider this and do a bit of research before you enter.
• Hotel transfers - Ok, so flights are included, so is accommodation but how do you get to your hotel once you land? Some competitions include transfers as part of the prize, in fact I’m sure most international ones do, but it always pays to read the terms and conditions.

I know in one prize I won to Melbourne, although transfers were included, it was such short notice they couldn’t get the tickets to us in time, so we had to pay to get to the hotel. That was a $50 taxi fare!! They did offer to reimburse us, but we never bothered as we had such an amazing time it was worth it!

• Passports - Simple - Some terms and conditions will state that you must have a passport to ENTER a competition. If you’re entering a competition that includes international destinations be sure you have your passport ready to go or can get one in time. Make a note regarding any terms stating you need one to enter, because even if you could get your passport before the flights, if the promotions company realises you entered without a passport when they state you need one, you could lose your prize!
• Car Hire - SO you’ve arrived at your amazing holiday destination, but how will you get around while you are there? If you’ve flown in, then chances are the prize may not include car hire. It pays to know this up front and organise transport options well in advance. If there isn’t much public transport available car hire may be the only way to go, so be sure you can afford it!
• Accomodation - So most holiday competitions will include accomodation, but it may be limited in some way. As we have a family of 5 this always has to be a consideration before entering holiday competitons. Also you need to consider the cost if accommodation isn’t included or the cost of upgrading for extra people. Make sure you can afford this BEFORE you enter.
• General Spending Money - This one is self explanatory, but you want to be sure you can cover the general costs of food, entertainment and anything else that isn’t covered in your holiday win.

So there you have it, there are probably many more considerations that need to be made before entering holiday competitions, but the truth is, as restrictive as it may sound to take all these things into account, it is worth taking the time to do this before you receive a call you’ve won a holiday that you can’t take. Or worse you attempt to take it and the financial strain ruins the entire experience.

Once you’ve entered a few holiday competitions, you tend to skim the terms and conditions and check these things by second nature anyway, so dream away, have fun and enjoy your holiday wins

 

Australian Competition - Win Henry Josef Bridesmaids Gowns for Your Wedding

It’s that time again Polkadot bride, one of my favourite Aussie blogs is running another amazing competition for it’s readers! If you’re getting married then you MUST READ this post and head on over to have a go at entering, it’s a really fun competition!!

If you love the styling and grace of the bridesmaids dress pictured left, then you just could be in luck. Polka Dot Bride are giving one lucky bride the chance to win up to $1500 of this dress for her bridal party!!! Amazingly gorgeous huh!!

So, if you’re getting married in the next 12 months, you’re from Australia and you’d love to win bridesmaids dresses for all, then this is the competition for you.

It’s so much fun to enter, you must head over to Polka Dot Bride to read the full entry requirements, but basically you need to create an inspiration board centred around the Hans Josef dress….. a picture collage made in photoshop, word or any other program

Polkadot Bride readers will then vote on their favourite, so if you think you’re up for the challenge, then head on over now to read the rest of the details.

You have until APRIL 23rd 11.55pm to enter…. GOOD LUCK

Australian Competition gone wrong - 2Day FM Investigated!

It seems that radio station 2Day FM have caused quite a stir when an radio competition they were running went seriously wrong resulting in police and ambulance officers being called to the scene of a home.

The competition which involved a caller making a prank call for the chance to win $1000 went terribly wrong.

The competitor, a station listener had been given a script by the staff of the radio station, requiring her to convince her sister their mother had fallen over at home, suffering serious injuries. It was at this point that things went wrong!

The listener’s sister panicked and dialled 000 to report the incident.

With 000 operators unaware that the call was in fact part of the prank competition police and ambulance officers were dispatched to the scene only to discover their time had been wasted.

An investigation is to take place regarding the incident.

WOW!!!! Perhaps their needs to be some form of common sense used in cases where these types of incidents could happen… definitely a learning experience for 2Day FM I’m sure!

Win More Competitions - Some Inspiration

Want to win more prizes? Win more competitions? Of course you do…..

It can be difficult to stay motivated because most long term compers know that there are often dry spells where wins seem few and far between.

Here’s a few inspirational quotes that may just life your spirits in those down times:

I LOVE the first quote, it sits so well with the comping motto of the only way to win more is to enter, enter, enter so this is at the top of the list

Brian Tracey - I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often. (motto - enter more competitions and win more prizes!!)

Ray Kroc - Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get. (do you get the hint yet> :))

George S. Clason - Men of action are favored by the Goddess of luck.

Robert Collier - All of us have bad luck and good luck. The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps right on going - is the man who is there when the good luck comes - and is ready to receive it.

These quotes are definitely well suited to comping. When all seems futile, keep going and keep entering you just never know when a life changing win is around the corner

Competition wins as gifts?

Let’s be realistic, we don’t really want to keep every prize that we win.

Take for instance you enter a competition with a family holiday as first prize, and camera as a runners up prize. When the competition is drawn, you are lucky enough to win a runner’s up prize, a new camera. Of course this is a wonderful prize win, but you’ve recently purchased (or won hopefully) the camera of your dreams and you really don’t have any use for this one.

In this situation you’re faced with a few solutions. You can give the camera away to charity or something similar, sell it to try and recover some of your comping costs (and we all know this hobby can have some expenses associated), keep it just for the hell of it, or give the lovely prize away as a gift.

Personally I have given away hundreds of dollars in prizes as gifts. Other prizes I have sold to friends and family at greatly reduced prices, and other times I have given things away. One of the sad things is when you get excited about having the chance to give a great gift to a family member or friend and the reception is less than welcome.

Hopefully not everyone out there has experienced this. But the truth is that when people realise you enter competitions as a hobby, very seldom do they realise the dedication and sometimes the expense that goes along with it. When this is the case, people often “expect” to recieve gifts, or don’t see the value in the gift when it is given.

Most people are grateful for receiving any sort of gift whether it be won or bought, but several times I have given prizes as gifts, keeping in mind that most times the gift is something I would never have been able to afford had I not won it, only to hear the comment “oh did you win this?”.

It can be hurtful to feel as though people don’t appreciate what you are sharing with them. But the reality is, that unless people comp full time as I often do, then they won’t understand the dedication and expense. There are now some family and friends I don’t give prizes to as gifts. Instead I greet them with a $20 gift card instead. It’s their loss, they may have received prizes worth hundreds of dollars otherwise, but there is a point that you need to remember that this is your hobby, your fun and it should stay that way!

Competitions & The Economic Downturn

There are many opinions being thrown around at the moment as to whether the worldwide economic downturn will affect competitions. I was asked if I think there will be more or less competitions due to the economic crisis worldwide?

It may seem crazy that to some, this would even BE a consideration, but like all keen hobbiests, compers are passionate about what they do!!

So will the economic downturn see a change in the competition, contests and sweepstakes market?

Well, who can be sure, but here are my predictions for the coming year…..

• More competitions!! - It has been said that perhaps companies won’t be able to afford to run competitions if their bottom line profits become tight. BUT, my background in marketing tells me that cutting back on competitions won’t be the case for most companies.

You see, when money is tight in the economy, companies of all sizes are trying to find ways to stand out amongst their competitors. Many will resort to trying competitions and sweepstakes, and some will try this as a promotional method for the first time. Of course, we all know that competitions can be a huge flop and end up costing companies money for little return, but those who are smart and switched on with what consumers want will find themselves in a very successful position by attracting new and old customers with competitions and the lure of prizes!!

• There will be more people entering! - OK this may sound like a bad thing, after all doesn’t more people entering mean it becomes harder to win? Well perhaps. But in reality everyone is going to feel a financial squeeze over the coming year or so, and many are feeling it already. SO what better way to give yourself a bit of hope then to start entering competitions.

Seasoned compers have some advantage when it comes to increased numbers of entrants. They tend to be more organised, realise the importance in keeping proof of purchase and know how to keep an eye out for competitions offering greater odds of winning. But overall people just entering the hobby have the chance to change their lives in the true sense by winning products and holidays that they may not otherwise be able to afford.

The benefit of having more people entering competitions is of course that companies and promoters see greater results for their effort meaning that they will continue to offer competitions and sweepstakes in order to boost sales and profits and we won’t be left scratching our heads trying to find a new hobby.

So REALLY, it is a win win for all and I am resting peacefully in the prediction that comping will stay as a positive and luctrative hobby for those who choose to get addicted to it in 2009

GOOD LUCK

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