Who has won a high value prize?

[DaveNV]

I didn't win personally, but I knew a guy who won a million dollars (for real) in the Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes. They did the whole "balloons and limousine and giant check sneaking up on their house to ring the doorbell" thing. Just like on the commercials.

And I worked with a guy in the Navy who's sister won $10 Million in the New York state lottery. First thing she did even before claiming the money was change her phone number to an unlisted number. Then she got the cash, and the next day resigned her job. I like the way she thinks.

I figure because I've stood near to people who have won big must mean why I haven't ever won much of anything. A live Christmas Tree in a church raffle once was about as fancy as I ever got.

Dave

 

[falmouth3]

I've won two prizes with some value, but not super great. When I got married in 1975, I went to a bridal show and I won the bridal bouquet, the maid of honor bouquet, and boutineers for the men. Unfortunately for the florist, it was a relatively small wedding and the reception package provided the flowers for the tables and we were the second or third wedding that day in the church so all I had to pay for was 2 bridesmaids bouquets and one mother's corsage (the other mother was deceased). I got to pick whatever I wanted too.

The other time, I had season's tickets to the bleacher seats (cost $5, sponsored by Coke) for the Oriole's AAA team in Rochester. I won a trip to Baltimore, airfare, hotel, tickets to the game, and spending money. I wasn't able to make it that weekend so we cashed in the plane tickets and cashed the check but let the hotel and tickets go. But it was pretty cool to win.

Sue

 

[macko420]

How many sweepstakes do you enter? How much time do you spend? Have you figured out your win percentage?

Hmmm, all good questions! We actually subscribe to a newsletter that comes along with access to a bulletin board on the web. We enter many different sweepstakes. Generally speaking we may have anywhere from 3-15 entries going out in the mail each day. We use just over a roll of stamps each month, so 100+ a few more.
I do most of the online entering and that number varies depending on how much time I have. As for time......we have a system where we have some of the common components prepared ahead of time so you end up just stuffing the envelopes at the time of entry. We write out the 3x5 cards/papers as we are able to - waiting for dr appts or during a car ride, things like that. Then we make sure we spread our entries out over the lifetime of the sweepstakes.
I would say that it's hard to figure out a percentage per se. We look at the value of total wins for the year. That varies....... could be nothing or could be several thousand dollars if you win a trip or a car. Or maybe we win 10 sweeps but they are all T-shirts and keychains! We just have a great time doing it!

OH! One last thing to mention..........NEVER PAY ANYONE for a sweepstakes win. If you are being asked to pay money for a prize, it is not a true sweepstakes. Although I have heard recently that a few legitimate sweeps have asked the winners to pay a small amount toward cruise trip wins presumably due to the rise in fuel costs. Those were legit! Also be aware that you will get a 1099 on any win valued at over $500.

 

[Wonka]

Our local hospital used to have a raffle with the 1st prize being a house worth $350,000 or $250,000 cash. The tickets were $100 each, there were 20 prizes with the lowest being $1000, and only 5000 tickets sold. DH and I always bought a ticket. One year my MIL called and wanted to know if we wanted to go in with the rest of the family to buy a ticket. I almost said "no" since wehad our own ticket but then decided what the heck, for $14+, why not. Good thing we did because we won! We took the cash, splitting 7 ways.
The following year the hospital had to stop the house raffle, something to do with PA law and small games of chance winnings could not be more than $25,000. We continued buying our own ticket as well as going together with the family. Two years later my SIL won a cruise on her own ticket and the following year the family won $1000!

You won a house? So, far that's the largest win on this string.

 

[pammex]

I only wish, never won anything big!!! Someday...

 

[sun starved Gayle]

My sister won a two week garden tour for two of England and Scotland and she took me as her guest. Airfare, hotels, ground transportation, attraction fees and many meals included.

That's the biggest "win" I have had. It's pays to be nice to your siblings!

Gayle

 

[Glynda]

Question

Hmmm, all good questions! We actually subscribe to a newsletter that comes along with access to a bulletin board on the web. We enter many different sweepstakes. Generally speaking we may have anywhere from 3-15 entries going out in the mail each day. We use just over a roll of stamps each month, so 100+ a few more.
I do most of the online entering and that number varies depending on how much time I have. As for time......we have a system where we have some of the common components prepared ahead of time so you end up just stuffing the envelopes at the time of entry. We write out the 3x5 cards/papers as we are able to - waiting for dr appts or during a car ride, things like that. Then we make sure we spread our entries out over the lifetime of the sweepstakes.
I would say that it's hard to figure out a percentage per se. We look at the value of total wins for the year. That varies....... could be nothing or could be several thousand dollars if you win a trip or a car. Or maybe we win 10 sweeps but they are all T-shirts and keychains! We just have a great time doing it!

OH! One last thing to mention..........NEVER PAY ANYONE for a sweepstakes win. If you are being asked to pay money for a prize, it is not a true sweepstakes. Although I have heard recently that a few legitimate sweeps have asked the winners to pay a small amount toward cruise trip wins presumably due to the rise in fuel costs. Those were legit! Also be aware that you will get a 1099 on any win valued at over $500.

Would you say that more of the wins came via snail mail entries than online?

 

[Vacation Dude]

Ad deleted. In the future, if you notice a blatant ad, instead of quoting it in another post, please report it to the moderators so that it can be removed. Just click on the red triangle symbol on the bottom of the block where your name appears to report any post that needs attention. Thanks. Karen G

wow...what a great deal from a new user with 1 post.

Do you also want my SS#, birthdate, mothers maiden name, and credit card info?

This sounds like a swepstakes win for the poster.

 

[MOXJO7282]

The biggest thing I've ever won was gambling at the Marriott Stellaris Casino in Aruba this past Feb.

It was the very first time we gambled and and we were playing Carribbean Poker. I drew a full house and won $950 on the first day, actually within the first 6 hands of playing. I had ideas of grandeur thinking we were going to win $1000s because of my expert play. Well all said and done, that one hand offset $800 or so of losses so the whole week of gambling we ended up ahead by about $150. We were actually up and down throughout the week, but had a super good time, so it was well worth not walking away after we were up that first $1000.

 

[beanie]

10 grand in a super bowl pool the year the rams beat the titans . after deducting the usual 10 % I walked away with 9 grand . sent my wife and son over to england ,scotland and Ireland to do a tour with our daughter who was going to school in scotland . then my wife and I went to aruba that summer

 

[wackymother]

I won $500 in one of those contests where the ad says, "Just by using your credit card, you could win cash or prizes!"

The credit card company called up to tell me I had won, and I thought it was some kind of scam, and they kept saying no, I really had won my choice of $500 credit on the card or $600 in Sony products of my choice. I said I would take the cash and they said the credit would turn up in about three months. (I thought, "Riiiiiiiggggghhhht. Sure it will!")

Sure enough, just when I had almost forgotten about it, I got the $500 credit! My DH was saying, "Did you return something? Why is there this big credit on the bill?" I was so convinced it was a scam that I hadn't even told him about it!

 

[silverfox82]

My wife had some modest success at the roulette table in atlantic city and I was watching her back as she cashed out her black chips at the cashier, while waiting I slipped a fiver in the penny slots and hit a jackpot. got a stack of cash and a 1099, thanks donald.

 

[calgarygary]

I've been contacted numberous times about how my help is needed transferring funds for someone in Nigeria. Does that count?

They are contacting me too! Back off! The millions are mine, all mine!

 

[macko420]

Would you say that more of the wins came via snail mail entries than online?

Well, we've been entering by snail mail alot longer than we've been entering online. For us, all of the big wins were by snail mail but we've won quite a few online recently. The biggest of these was an iPod about a month ago. Funny thing about that one is that I received the notice that I won the very next day after I had finished putting all my music on an iPod that I had just purchased on ebay!! That's how it goes!

 

[ricoba]

Since some of you are mentioning casino wins, I'll mention our modest wins as well.

We did a couple slot tournaments one summer at the Golden Nugget in Vegas and my wife won the first one we did $500 and I came in dead last which won the "booby prize" of a comped buffet for two.

Then the next one, I won the first prize, again $500, but this time my wife was not as lucky, though she hit $300 on a free pull from the Venetian one time and then another time at Harvey's in Tahoe, she won $600 on her last two quarters!

We have never had a big win, but we have a friend who won the BC lottery known as "The Provincial" (which I don't think they have anymore), she won $100,000, and bought herself a house. It was the best thing she could have ever done, since she is a single woman and it has given her years of security, plus she is also a very nice woman.

 

[Glynda]

Well, we've been entering by snail mail alot longer than we've been entering online. For us, all of the big wins were by snail mail but we've won quite a few online recently. The biggest of these was an iPod about a month ago. Funny thing about that one is that I received the notice that I won the very next day after I had finished putting all my music on an iPod that I had just purchased on ebay!! That's how it goes!

Another question, are you contacted mainly by email, phone, or does an item just show up?

 

[SpikeMauler]

I won $10,000 on a Super Bowl box a few years back(If the IRS is reading this, they need to know that I am a Pathological Liar )

 

[Wonka]

My wife had some modest success at the roulette table in atlantic city and I was watching her back as she cashed out her black chips at the cashier, while waiting I slipped a fiver in the penny slots and hit a jackpot. got a stack of cash and a 1099, thanks donald.

How much was the payoff?

So far, the winner of the house is on top.

 

[Jennie]

In 2006, I would occasionally play penny slot machines at an off-shore (but well-known reputable) Internet casino. Every week for 25 weeks, two players were randomly chosen and their "casino nickname" was posted on the bulletin board on Monday morning (to be followed by a phone call, of course). I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that "tuggy" was a winner. Bet you can't guess why I chose that name .

So what was the prize? Each winner was provided with round trip first class airfare for two to Ft. Lauderdale. There we were picked up by limo and brought to a VIP check-in desk for a 7 night Caribbean cruise. While on the cruise, a slot tournament would be held and one of the 100 winners would leave the ship with a $250,000. lump sum cash payment. For months I had the pleasure of fantasizing that it might be me! One in a hundred--those are good odds. I spent many happy moments deciding what luxuries I could purchase if I won.

We were assigned balcony suites. The 200 casino winners/guests had been flown in from all over the world, including Germany, England, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, plus Hawaii and many U.S. states. One woman from Alaska, who was afraid to fly, had driven all the way to Florida with a lady friend. The casino agreed to give her $5,000. toward the gas and lodging (in lieu of the first class airfare). The first names and place of residence of each guest was displayed on golden plaques hung on the door of each stateroom, making it easy for people to get to know one another. We were all in adjacent cabins on a high deck.

We received elaborate gift packages, vouchers for free spa treatments, group dinners and events, and a separate tender to take us to and from shore on demand--no waiting in line.

Our group also had a private section of the cruise line's island reserved for them. We feasted on lobster and filet mignon, and had unlimited free drinks while the rest of the cruisers on the other half of the island ate hot dogs and hamburgers. We had private cabanas, and free access to all water sports equipment. Waiters kept coming by with trays of delicacies and desserts. No tipping allowed. The casino had taken care of that. We had a live band and dancers, while the "peasants" over yonder heard recorded music.

Of all the people on board, hubby and I bonded with a newlywed couple, "second timers" with 6 children between them from their first marriages. Four of the children were in college and the couple was working two jobs, seven days a week, to keep up with the bills. You guessed it--she won the $250,000. I came in around 30th place and won a $1,000. "booby prize."

The total dollar value of my cruise and cash prize was not huge but the experience and memories are priceless!

 

[macko420]

Another question, are you contacted mainly by email, phone, or does an item just show up?

Any of the above! For all of the 'big' prizes, you get an affadavit first. That's when you have to give your SS# so they can send the 1099. Many of the other prizes just arrive by any of the delivery services. For those you don't have to report your SS#. Of course, it is up to the sponsering co what they consider 'big' enough to require the affy.

Here is a link to the newsletter we subscribe to in case you are interested. I'm happy to answer any questions you have!

This is the home page for the newsletter
http://www.sweepsheet.com/Default.aspx
There is a link to view an old (expired) issue on this page.

This is a page with alot of info.
http://www.sweepsheet.com/faq.aspx

Just a small request........if anyone wants to subscribe to the newsletter.........if you use me as a reference, I would get my subscription extended!

 

[macko420]

Wow, what a great win!! Congratulations!! The memories are often just a nice as the prizes! :whoopie:

 

[Glynda]

More...

Any of the above! For all of the 'big' prizes, you get an affadavit first. That's when you have to give your SS# so they can send the 1099. Many of the other prizes just arrive by any of the delivery services. For those you don't have to report your SS#. Of course, it is up to the sponsering co what they consider 'big' enough to require the affy.

Here is a link to the newsletter we subscribe to in case you are interested. I'm happy to answer any questions you have!

This is the home page for the newsletter
http://www.sweepsheet.com/Default.aspx
There is a link to view an old (expired) issue on this page.

This is a page with alot of info.
http://www.sweepsheet.com/faq.aspx

Just a small request........if anyone wants to subscribe to the newsletter.........if you use me as a reference, I would get my subscription extended!

Thanks. I ask because I subscribe to:

http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/

I probably enter 40 sweepstakes a day online and have for five years.
The very few things, all small, I've won have arrived by mail. I have a special email address set up for just contest entries because they bombard me with their newsletters and other email but never one telling me I've won a prize. Also, I don't answer my home phone and have wondered if I had won a prize and they called and I didn't answer if they would leave a message or just move on to another "drawing." My sister in law also enters contests using this same site and has won more than I have but also small stuff. You can only see the big prizes when you are a premium (paying) member at online-sweepstakes, and we are.

I guess some people just really are lucky and others are not.

 

[mrsstats]

I won a trip for 4 to Disney from Alamo a few years ago. Air fare, hotel & the parks. I think it was 4 nights.

 

[cerralee]

Last year while looking for airfare I noticed where college kids could sign up for AirTran U. It also entered you into a sweepstakes where three college kids would win four round trip plane tickets (64 credits) for air trans A+ program. She got an envelope in the mail and she had to return a notarized verification sheet that she was within the age limits 18-22 back within several days. She had to make a special trip in to get the materials, get it notarized and returned within the time limit but she did receive the credits to her Airtran account. Now if someone would just give her some money she could take a few trips!!

 

[silverfox82]

How much was the payoff?

So far, the winner of the house is on top.

The house is still the winner although I could have bought a very nice dog house ($1,500). 10 years ago on a cruise my wife talked me into playing bingo on the last day of the cruise as the progressive jackpot had not been won yet. We were in our fifties and easily the youngest people in the bingo hall, I win the jackpot and now fear for my life as an angry crowd of senior citizens starts to complain that it wasn't fair since I only played the last day and they had played all week, pretty funny. As it turned out my winnings were within a few dollars of our bar tab.