Automated Competition Entries - Compers Unite!

weeowens

I know nothing about twitter but maybe hashtag it as autoentrycheatsuk :-)

ehlittleone

Have had a look at that list Spanglish and looks like prizewise have targetted these 2 (haven't been through the whole list)

http://www.hormann.co.uk/

http://movies.uk.msn.com/advertorials/dfs-arthur-christmas/competition.aspx

I'll email them later.


My entry for the Hash Tag is:

#GRACE

Get Rid of Automated Competition Entries

Marg2k8

Good idea about the hashtag.

I think the hashtag should be something easily recognisable, not an acronym - something like #autoentrysite so that when you send an @message to someone, you could say something like "Did you know that your competition is being target by an #autoentrysite ?"

thetoothfairy

Marg2k8 wrote: »

Good idea about the hashtag.

I think the hashtag should be something easily recognisable, not an acronym - something like #autoentrysite so that when you send an @message to someone, you could say something like "Did you know that your competition is being target by an #autoentrysite ?"

I like that idea, as it can be part of the sentence too!

Also...I wonder if we could have a webpage set up - here or via Jason's Loquax blog - that we can link to in our tweets which is a simple 1 page explaining:

- what the issue is
- why it's a problem
- some ideas on remedies that companies might introduce - like the captcha, or stating no t&c in the auto entries

We need to be cautious where this site sits as some people might argue that we ourselves are not genuine compers as such because we use sites like this.

What does anyone else think?

Marg2k8

thetoothfairy wrote: »

We need to be cautious where this site sits as some people might argue that we ourselves are not genuine compers as such because we use sites like this.

What does anyone else think?

Yes - I see exactly what you mean. I don't think it is a good idea to quote this forum.

gem599

This is such an eye opener! And so disheartening!
I have emailed every website that I have come across this evening that has an 'unsecured competition'. These are:
V&A
MetroSnow
SheerLuxe
CoOp Travel
Budget.ie
Hot Dinners

Will update when I do more and if I get any replies.

RuthMarianna

I feel very upset reading this thread. I put a lot of time into comping as I enjoy the thrill of receiving a win no matter how small but feel discouraged when the odds become so low that I would be better doing something else. It is like my hobby is being taken away from me.

VeePee

RuthMarianna wrote: »

I feel very upset reading this thread. I put a lot of time into comping as I enjoy the thrill of receiving a win no matter how small but feel discouraged when the odds become so low that I would be better doing something else. It is like my hobby is being taken away from me.

i agree,

when we enter competitions, we know we are not guaranteed a win, but, knowing that there are sites like this, makes you wonder if there was any point entering in the first place. what a waste of time. no wonder 2011 was a dry year for comping for me.

i just wonder whether the times competitions every hour were also affected.:(

bcd2009

All my respect to what you are discussing and how you try to improve the situation (i read it all and it sounds a great start!).

But what i dont understand is that some of you guys react like comping is only just now taken over by automated entries. Its not like they just invented this Those "services" have been around forever. And the people that know how to cheat the sytem have been there for ever too.

Your odds are not suddenly worse now, it can only improve from now on

I hope noone feels offended, just my 2 cents, have a nice sunday!

Marg2k8

I agree bcd2009 - and it won't stop me comping, but what it might do is make me more selective about the ones I enter. So, I might concentrate more on ones where you have to submit a photo, or think of a witty slogan to go with a picture. Since I don't have enough time to enter them all, I might give a miss to any that I think these companies are spamming.