News

**MSE Archna** · 09-06-2009, 11:12 PM

This thread is specifically to discuss the content of

Comping for Cash

To discuss or ask a question about this article: click reply

ikkle87 · 09-06-2009, 11:39 PM

Second what Al says

btw you have spelt competitions wrong on the grey sub header

weeowen67 · 09-06-2009, 11:50 PM

Oh dear.Everyone will know about our little hobby now.Not sure if many will get as addicted as so many of us are.

littleholly · 09-06-2009, 11:58 PM

Crikey, i'm struggling for wins this year as it is without even more people joining in!

weeowen67 · 10-06-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleholly

Crikey, i'm struggling for wins this year as it is without even more people joining in!

Don't worry.I'm sure they will come.before I started comping on here I used the prizefinder site and hadn't heard of roboform.My only win then was a trip to New York for five nights so it can happen.

littleholly · 10-06-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weeowen67

Don't worry.I'm sure they will come.before I started comping on here I used the prizefinder site and hadn't heard of roboform.My only win then was a trip to New York for five nights so it can happen.

The past 2 years have been great, especially last year, but this year so far is just pants - I think my luck has finally run out!

Munchkim · 10-06-2009, 12:20 AM

I think the whole things is a bit misleading in the way it's been put together. It's very flowery and puts comping forward as if it's a really great idea for anyone. To get to the hard work side of it takes quite some scrolling down and I think if you did that poll again with realistic figures you'd find that most of us enter 50+ a day (for myself and a few others who have the time it's probably a lot higher than that) and that 50 a week isn't really going to be very effective unless you are incredibly lucky. the only reason that had a high vote was it was the top amount!

Short-n-Sweet · 10-06-2009, 12:25 AM

I have to agree Munchkim it sounds all very wonderful. lol

Its a very time consuming "hobby", well it is for me anyway

You could comp for months and month and win NOTHING of much value.

weeowen67 · 10-06-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkim

I think the whole things is a bit misleading in the way it's been put together. It's very flowery and puts comping forward as if it's a really great idea for anyone. To get to the hard work side of it takes quite some scrolling down and I think if you did that poll again with realistic figures you'd find that most of us enter 50+ a day (for myself and a few others who have the time it's probably a lot higher than that) and that 50 a week isn't really going to be very effective unless you are incredibly lucky. the only reason that had a high vote was it was the top amount!

Exactly right.Since the the end of March I've entered about 5000 comps, and that does not include mulltiple enties for ITV,GMTV.Tab and Puzzler so it takes time and effort.

sweetiepie1982 · 10-06-2009, 1:49 AM

I must admit, it takes a lot of time and dedication. I couldn't do it aswell as working! There is no possible way I would win anything. I put every minute of my spare time into it xx

Prudent · 10-06-2009, 6:21 AM

I thought it was fairly balanced. I liked the hourly returns breakdown at £1.14 an hour. I know some people have found this year a lot tougher, with far fewer prizes. I have had my best six months for 'biggies' , but miss the constant little prizes like dvds and books which saved me a lot on pressies.

I think many people will try, but become disheartened with the lack of wins. I have done this hobby for years and it is definately getting a lot harder to win. I simply love the spirit on the forum and the hope of something in the post after a long hard day at work.

Dalkirst · 10-06-2009, 7:28 AM

A couple of things i noticed.The biggest win on the forum by toejumper link doesn't work

Also not sure if it applies to the TPS(phone) side of things but i know with the MPS(Mail) they can't stop them sending you mail if you have entered a comp on their site or gave them your details,i've tried

Hopeless123 · 10-06-2009, 2:04 PM

No mention of loquax? It's an excellent (free) site and has a really good competitions tracker. I only read the forums myself but think it deserves a mench...?

I think there will be a flurry of activvity from recipients of the money tips email, then they'll realise how much hard work and dedication has to go into comping and most are likely to give up if they don't win quickly!

EverDecreasingCircles · 10-06-2009, 2:24 PM

Interesting article.

Personally I'd like to see people encouraged more to sign up to the forum (and use the Thanks button). Some people put in a lot of work posting the comps, the least peeps could do is sign up and say thanks.

I don't think the article stresses the level of dedication needed to really win enough to make it worth while. It does take hours upon hours on 'comping' to reap the rewards imo.

EDC x

twotimes · 10-06-2009, 3:15 PM

"Yet even with these sexy stories it’s crucial to realise that you won’t immediately be frolicking in a bed of £50 notes."

Never heard comping described like that before.

ROBDOLPHIN66 · 10-06-2009, 3:41 PM

There are going to be a lot of very disappointed people on here soon

mpython · 10-06-2009, 3:45 PM

I think the article needs redoing. There are some useful titbits in it, but it reminds me of a timeshare speil in that the basic arguements are misleading.

Comping isn't profitable - its fun. Saying its profitable is like saying envelope stuffing is profitable.

In the last few years I've only won one cash prize (£1k) and sold one win (£900). Against all the hours I've put it in that's a very poor return. I once worked out (using all the prizes I've won not just the cash) that its about £3 an hour, much less than the minimum wage. Plus if I'd spent the same time working earning the minimum wage, I'd have total choice what to do with the money. Later this year I'm off to San Francisco, a lovely prize, but I'll have to pay for my meals, site seeing, local transport, insurance, kennelling for the dog and so on.

Not so many people enter holiday comps so there's a bigger chance of winning. However, unlike say a TV, you can't resell this kind of prize.

I also disagree with the assertion at the start that by entering more competitions, you are more likely to win big. The odds of winning any competition is related to the number of enteries. It doesn't follow that the more you enter the bigger your prizes. Maybe you'll win more often, but not necessarily bigger, otherwise quite a few of us would have won the Daily Mail house by now.

I like the final "Q" about pay to enter contests. It does beg the question though, why the £1.50 limit on text enteries is set so high.

BREX · 10-06-2009, 3:46 PM

It seems to be that a high number of competitions need to be entered before you win anything....most wins are not cash and it would still be hard to convert small wins into cash.....as I am unable to work I come on here when I feel able and enter the comps..but even on a good week health wise I can enter numerous comps and still come away with nothing.

Dinah93 · 10-06-2009, 4:33 PM

Between myself and my other half we enter 500-600 competitions a week, entering the ones that are closing in the next few days. We haven't won a single thing in the two months since we started doing this again, so do not count on it for any income, only do it if you enjoy it.

Also, snaplinks does not work with the most recent version of firefox.

Muffy0 · 10-06-2009, 4:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBDOLPHIN66

There are going to be a lot of very disappointed people on here soon

Totally - the whole feeling of the article is wrong. I hope masses of people don't come on here looking for a quick buck then start moaning in their droves when they realise that:

a) comping takes over your life
b) your first win takes weeks if not months
c) big wins are few and far between and take a lot of effort and time to find