Postal, Text and Phone Competitions - Please Read

When inputing a comp, please put end date, name of prize and where you got the comp details from ie:

E: 01/01 win cash - (input if its Phone, Text or Postal)

(helps with searching, thanks)

As there were some confusion over what can be added and what cant, here is what can be put in:

Daily texts go in here but please also add the link to the dailies.

Email comps from magazines etc go onto the main board

What tips are there for when I enter a postcard entry comp?

Money saving ideas follow:

1. Make sure you read carefully what details they want from you. If it says name, address & phone number then do make sure that is what you put - then before you send it double check everything you have written to make sure it is correctly spelt & everything they asked for.
2. Printed address labels can really save you time & a sore hand when entering lots of postcard comps in one sitting.
3. Ensure anything you do hand write is clear & easy to read, as messy or rushed handwriting may mean they can't work out your details & move on to another winner.
4. Send the postcard with a 2nd class stamp as they seem to arrive around the same time as a 1st class stamp does too. Only worth splashing out on a 1st class stamp if the comp end date is close.
5. Stamps can be bought in bulk from Sainsbury's, Superdrug or other places which have special promotions for stamps at certain times which means you save money.
6. To avoid your postcard coming back to you, write the comp address on the right of the card as usual but when you write your details on the left, turn the card around so you are writing sideways, this avoids the automated machinery returning your entry to you by mistake. You can also write your phone number under your post code as that works too.
7. Places like cinemas, health clubs, libraries, leisure centres, some TK Maxx stores (by the till), O’Briens, various coffee shops, galleries, hotels & some pubs may have a stand with free post cards (mainly advertising things), so no need to buy post cards.
8. Make your own from old birthday/Christmas cards/cereal boxes.
9. Buy a cheap pack of coloured card & cut each page into 4 postcards. You end up with colourful postcards & you could further brighten them up using highlighter pens, stickers or even glue some pictures from magazines that are themed for the comp you are entering!
10. Cut up your old cereal boxes, birthday / Christmas cards & use them for postcards. One MSE Comper prints a label (generally using a fancy font) & sticks that on the front, then puts their details on the back. This MSE Comper has won with them so they do work, they're free & they save space in the recycling bin.
11. Use royal mail surveys as a way of earning free stamps, they are currently not recruiting but always worth checking back for when they do.
12. Add the end date where you would put the stamp on your postcards, this way you can sort out what needs sent first if you are short on stamps or deciding what needs to be sent via first or second class stamps.

Can i buy stamps from ebay?

Yes, you can buy either a book of stamps or buy in bulk, search either 1st class stamps or 2nd class stamps and you should get some good results from that, if in doubt then send me a quick pm and i can help you with the search.

Can i not just put my entry into an envelope as opposed to putting my details on a postcard?

Answer is no, you run the risk of your entry being disqualified as some companies will not open envolopes, the only time to send in an envolope is when a comp states ppe (plain paper entry) or aioe (all in one envelope).

What does aioe mean?

AIOE means simply all in one envelope, where if there is lots of comps going to the same address but needs to be on seperate postcards etc then you can put them in an envelope which means you save on stamps, please check the aioe list on the first post to see what companys accept aioe

I'm new to text comps, what do i do?

To enter text comps, read what comp is asking for ie just your details or answer, name and address.

A text will normally start with a heading, this will identify what competition you are entering, either an answer to the question and ask for your details, for example HAIRA then answer, name, house no and postcode or your name and full address details.

What do i text when it says send answer?

If a comp says send your answer, sometimes it will state what they are looking for ie the daily mirror comps just ask for the letter ie if the answer is Face, then all they want is the letter B.

Others like the sunday post just ask for the answer, what they are looking for is the full answer ie Face, majority of comps it is best to put that full answer in, if in doubt, either send me a quick pm or pop a question onto this thread and we will be glad to help out.

How much will i be charged, can i use my free minutes?

Unfortunately no, you cant use your free minutes unless it is snr (standard network rate only) comp, the charges are are either 25p, 50p, £1 or £1.50 + snr.

How successful are the postal/text comps?

As these type of comps require a bit of effort/cost then there are less people entering them so more chance of winning them! there have been amazing wins from the postal thread - holidays, vouchers, cash and many more