Are you a comp winning super star?

mjm3346

Tara_Evans wrote: »

Thanks for the info. I noticed that ITV have cut back on online comps since the gov quietly changed their rules (they don't have to offer an online option ). It's a massive shame as I know a lot of you won a big prize from them.
.

Pretty sure there was not a quiet change of rules as they never had to offer online entry* and were able to do postal as the free entry route just the same as C4, C5 and many others do.
It's about maximising profit and the free online entry route being featured in the mse weekly e-mail probably helped lead to its demise.

*Certainly as far back as 2009 postal was fine

http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/pdf/prize%20competitions%20and%20free%20draws%20-%20the%20requirements%20of%20the%20gambling%20act%202005%20-%20december%202009.pdf

jaibaby

Tara_Evans wrote: »

I totally understand your reservations (and why you don't want more people to find out about the boards)

I think you've mis-read it, we don't not want more people to "find out" about this site (well, I for one anyway) , in fact, almost every week I have a conversation about comping with my sons friends mums at nursery. They all ask about it and I tell them, I advise and I remind them not to expect to win.

That is what some of the readers of these types of articles seem to not realise. Winning is not guaranteed! I know some who have entered every comp going for years and never won, and another who has entered one and won it (my mum). It's all down to luck. But they must think we, on this forum, know "secrets".

All we (I) don't want is the never-ending threads popping up asking where there wins are, why haven't they won after entering comps for 2 days, etc etc.

Maybe you should just print "the comping guide": https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4896515 - that covers pretty much everything

sammi86

These articles pop up every few months and they all invariably say the same thing. Then they cause an influx of people to infiltrate sites like this with simplistic ideas that they can win squillions of things all from entering a few comps.
Then, 2 days later theyre complaining when they havent won yet (despite entering a handful of comps) and theyre giving up hope.

How are you planning on putting the realistic side of comping into your article as i highly doubt people would wish to read an article about how hard it actually is to win one competition let alone the many the media would make it look you could potentially win like these supposed "luckiest compers" that sell their soul for a bit of money/attention do.
(reality is, its boring..hard work..repetitive..not that fruitful..just a hobby)

keshimonster

MSE_Megan wrote: »

give someone a chance to show off their skills!

I have Tenacious D - Wonderboy going through my head lol...

"Wooonderboooy...what is the secret of your pooweerrr"

keith26

I do OK as a comper, Just short of 100k worth in the last couple of years, my question to you is "Why would I want to encourage others to do it?"

Comping_Awe

There are tips to be had which can be used to help you win more but only with experience comes the knowledge.


As far as I can see, there are too many people chasing fewer decent prizes now which is making it harder.


I actively discourage people from becoming a comper as it is difficult to explain to a non-comper the skills required to be successful.


I would rather an article states that very few win significant prizes and those who do generally work very hard at it.

sydroo

There are articles on this very subject in two hamster cage liner magazines this week.

They crop up so often, with the same people, giving the same unrealistic expectations to new/non-compers.
Half the time, it seems to me, that the people who are featured win from purchase comps.

I'd love to see an article on how much money people really spend entering these competitons and how their garages are full of empty and rotting soup/yoghurt cartons/mineral water bottles.

LaSynergie

Please don't write yet another article about how lucky someone is at comping. There have been a whole rash of these type of articles in the press over the last 2 years causing a massive influx of newbies and everyone is now having a go. Sadly the hobby is not what it used to be and from winning a fair few items each month it has become totally dire and I'm now lucky if I win anything at all and I enter a ridiculous number of comps every day. I'm not sure if its actually worth continuing any more at the rate I am going this year :-( Maybe if you have to write something you could write a "It's not as easy as everyone thinks it is article" instead because right now comping is no longer what it used to be and I feel my hobby has been ruined by all the "I'm super lucky at comps" type of articles in the press.

miss_devil

People don't enjoy filling out forms as a hobby when it's so hard to win :rotfl::rotfl:

tgroom57

Online comping is a minefield - no article would be complete without mentioning the flood of spam that's generated by just one entry to a poorly chosen comp, and the continual battle to stay on top of what might and might not generate spam. Because...

There have been stories here of people missing big prizes because they didn't check their spam email folder; and someone missed a prize recently because they didn't follow-up on twitter. They were sent the winning video clip, but didn't bother to watch the video. The company tweeted them several times, but no reply.

On the plus side: Local competitions are under-rated - the ones in your local papers - these comps receive little or no extra advertising. I won a washing machine from such a comp - to enter I needed to pop into the local store and find the answer to a few questions. Just 5 people entered. I still have the clipping somewhere.

I hope you find an interesting angle for your piece.
And a big thank you to all companies that run competitions.