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Anyone else feeling a bit disheartened with lack of wins?

I’m entering on average 5-10 comps a day, only entering for things I actually want, however I always enter the weekly/monthly magazine ones (take a break, that’s life etc). I haven’t had any wins since December, where I won an advent comp and £200 from that’s life. Is it just that there are less comps and more entrants? I’ve been doing it since 2019 with a few breaks, but when I first started I used to get a lot more wins.

Comments

  • My win rate has dropped to zero since lockdown. I can only suppose that there are many more people entering than there once was which is good for the comps but not so much for us. . . either that or lady luck has turned her back.
  • Ms_Dee
    Ms_Dee Posts: 8,038 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    There are loads of competitions, from online forms, newsletter sign ups, daily check websites.

    Here are some things I've posted to others on the forum in the past, which you may find useful:

    'Enter local or/and low entry competitions.
    Enter those that require some effort, lots of people won't bother or pass them by, meaning less entries.
    I used to get 2-12 wins a month entering 50 to 100+ competitions a day.
    The last few years more and more people have started entering competitions so it is harder to win.
    Try competitions that have multiple winners, like the daily spinners.'

    and

    'I understand the frustration if you don't win, but if you don't enjoy it, I wouldn't advise sticking with it, as it isn't guaranteed prizes/money. Someone could enter 100 competitions and win 20, someone else will win nothing from entering.

    Social media does tend to host a lot more competitions but there are thousands of people that tend to enter them, so focusing on those that aren't on social media, isn't a bad thing. Sometimes there is too much choice if you are on them all. It is also full of scammers trying to convince people they have won.

    I find being part of the yearly challenge so much fun and helps keep the excitement.
    You can join this years here: Compers challenge 2023! 

    Some useful links above. I don't want to bombard you and some information might be repeated but here are some useful threads and tips.

    My posts/guides to the Competition forum: 
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79442571/#Comment_79442571
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/79061130#Comment_79061130
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77359128/#Comment_77359128
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78206968#Comment_78206968

    Similar thread and responses:
    New to competitions - Any tips?

    Some motivation which might be an interesting read if you'd like to know some previous forumite's big prizes.
    What's your biggest ever comping win? - posted March 2023
    Whats the best thing youve ever won? - posted May 2020
    Biggest/Smallest (physical) prize - posted Dec 2017 (Closed)
    query- whats the biggest (non cash) win you ever got? - posted Oct 2017 (Closed)
    What's your biggest win? posted Feb 2017 (Closed)
    What's Your Biggest Ever Win So Far? - posted Sept 2012 (Closed)

    If you do decide to join social media, here is a little explanation:
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78488310/#Comment_78488310'
    Thank you to everyone who posts competitions and good luck to everyone who enters.
  • pate-ci0
    pate-ci0 Posts: 3,009 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I’m entering on average 5-10 comps a day, only entering for things I actually want, however I always enter the weekly/monthly magazine ones (take a break, that’s life etc). I haven’t had any wins since December, where I won an advent comp and £200 from that’s life. Is it just that there are less comps and more entrants? I’ve been doing it since 2019 with a few breaks, but when I first started I used to get a lot more wins.
    It's the shotgun effect - the more you enter the more likely you are to win at least something. I enter 1500-2000 per month and count myself lucky if I win a single prize each month. During the 2000's I went 3 years without a single win, was about to give up then won an 4 star holiday and a cellar of wine. Just keep at it, you WILL win eventually.
  • Saver73
    Saver73 Posts: 126 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    I’m entering on average 5-10 comps a day, only entering for things I actually want, however I always enter the weekly/monthly magazine ones (take a break, that’s life etc). I haven’t had any wins since December, where I won an advent comp and £200 from that’s life. Is it just that there are less comps and more entrants? I’ve been doing it since 2019 with a few breaks, but when I first started I used to get a lot more wins.
    I enter 100+ comps a month and my last win was on the Skittles Poundland competition in May when I won £20!

    I enter comps for fun and any wins are a bonus.  :)

    I think there are many more people entering comps now than ever before and I'm nowhere near as dedicated as some of the other compers who do 1000s each month.

  • janE1956
    janE1956 Posts: 2,252 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    have you tried the mag dailies? I don't do them all but think at least 100 that i want to win.
     https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6326847/mag-dailies-list-and-faqs/p1
  • I've had a very strange winning pattern so far this year, I came back to 'full time' comping in March after my caring obligations came to an end :( in March I had six substantial wins, furnishings, carpets, jewelry, perfume, £500 vouchers, it was almost as if I had given the comping gods a shopping list and my wins all fitted seamlessly into my recently rearranged home. Since March I have won NOTHING AT ALL! Go figure as our American chums say...
  • JamboDP
    JamboDP Posts: 41,632 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I've had a very strange winning pattern so far this year, I came back to 'full time' comping in March after my caring obligations came to an end :( in March I had six substantial wins, furnishings, carpets, jewelry, perfume, £500 vouchers, it was almost as if I had given the comping gods a shopping list and my wins all fitted seamlessly into my recently rearranged home. Since March I have won NOTHING AT ALL! Go figure as our American chums say...
    You used up your annual amount of Fairy dust in one month
    I do it just for fun and whatever I win is a bonus
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