Automated Competition Entries - Compers Unite!

kippo1

Win24, 180,000 winners but only 38 likes on their facebook page

Marg2k8

E4 are on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/E4Tweets and I have tweeted to them. They are also on facebook http://www.facebook.com/E4?ref=ts&sk=wall if anyone wants to contact them that way.

Marg2k8

Perhaps we could notify one big promoter each day and bombard them by email, twitter and facebook.

The_3rd_Zebu

The next promoter I am emailing is Cassic FM.

WeWin4u lists a competition 'Holiday to Australia for 2' closing 17/01.

I believe this is the Classic FM one.

http://promo.classicfm.co.uk/contests/2011/australia/win/

I will merely draw Classic FM's attention to their own rule 2.3

2.3 You may only enter a Competition as an individual, any entries that, in Global’s absolute discretion, have been made via participation in a syndicate will be disqualified.

Plus of course I will point them in the direction of WeWin4u's website advertising the Holiday to Australia.

Marg2k8

I have tweeted @classicfm too. But I won't have the time to target more than one or two a day myself. If you keep posting who you are targeting. I will tweet to some of them.

The_3rd_Zebu

Thanks.

OK - One more. The Daily Telegraph !!

I have just realised that a comp listed by WeWin4u on their Home page
is a Daily Telegraph one.

http://www.wewin4u.co.uk/index.php

(See Win a Winter Holiday in Canada 16/01)

It is this one:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/canada-winter-sports/8810442/Win-your-dream-holiday-to-Canada-entry-form.html


But look at rule 3

3. Entries must be submitted via www.telegraph.co.uk/canada and entry is restricted to one per person. Late, illegible, incomplete, defaced or corrupt entries or entries sent through agencies and third parties will not be accepted

I am fast coming to the conclusion that these automated competition entry companies are a disgusting load of cheats.

:mad:

ehlittleone

Well done guys.

https://twitter.com/#!/TelegraphNews
https://twitter.com/#!/SKYSPORTS
https://twitter.com/#!/tescomagazine
https://twitter.com/#!/expertbeautymag
https://twitter.com/#!/mothercareuk
https://twitter.com/#!/republicfashion
https://twitter.com/#!/zavvi
https://twitter.com/#!/Debenhams
https://twitter.com/#!/elctoys
https://twitter.com/#!/aeg_uk
https://twitter.com/#!/companymagazine

http://blog.loquax.co.uk/automatedentries/did-your-competition-get-automated-entries-in-december-2025.htm


I hope you don't mind me putting links to some of companies mentioned. All we need to say is "you get a mention here" with a link to jason's blog.

Tweeting idea is great it doesn't take up so much time and also its public so they might be more inclined to do something about it. I've contacted quite a few by the email route.

I can add to the list if its helpful?

ehlittleone

Marg2k8 wrote: »

Perhaps we could notify one big promoter each day and bombard them by email, twitter and facebook.

This is a fantastic idea. Looks like E4 are first then. I'll go message them now x

ehlittleone

A question for Jason if he has time.

I presume Automated Entries can't target email entries, entries where you need to log in and competitions where you need to use a captcha but the rest are fair game?

Thanks

jdsaint

I presume Automated Entries can't target email entries, entries where you need to log in and competitions where you need to use a captcha but the rest are fair game?

Automated entries can target email entries - in fact these are the easiest.

Captcha helps, but it can be got round.

Login entries - these should be fine.

If it's ok I'll recreate a post I've made over on t'other side.

Prime targets...

1. Email entry competitions (e.g. Tesco Magazine)
2. Join mailing list competitions
3. Enter details competitions
4. Enter details and answer question competitions

Captcha is not always a defence!

The above can protect themselves by

A. Not being an email entry competition
B. Specifying in their terms and conditions that "automated entries are not permitted and will be disqualified".

My advice is that whilst comping if you spot a site without a mention of "auto entries" in their rules AND their comp fits the above then drop them a line. It doesn't need to be much

Dear Promoter

I've looked at your competition today and noticed your rules don't mention entries from automated entry services. These can dump 4000 to 20,000 entries into your prize draw and none of the entrants visit your site.

A simple "automated entries are not permitted and will be disqualified" might be worth including?

More details can be found on (our link/your link) including email addresses to watch out for.

Yours etc.

Another point I've made on our site is that you're not complaining. Do not think of it as a complaint. You simply offering advice to the promoter, who quite often won't be aware.

The promoter will either ignore you, respond and say they already know or will find the info useful and will thank you for it.

Finally....

You're helping the promoter, you're helping your fellow compers.

Good luck, thanks for the kind comments made too - and I hope that compers as a collective can really help make promoters aware of this issue, look at their promotions and decide whether they're happy about the situation (so far, in my experience, none of them are).

Jason