Competition questions beginners ask!

What is a comper?
Some-one who enters competitions.

Why can't I find the entry form in my store?
Stores may not have the entry form because:   
a) stocks have depleted  
b) entry forms have been removed from display   
c) they only stock the qualifying product at a specific number of branches  
d) their branch is not taking part in the promotion
e) the competition may be available only in one region of the country

Ask at customer services for assistance.  Some supermarket entry forms have a shelf life of around three weeks, so do visit stores regularly to collect your entry forms.

Where can I find out about current UK competitions?
Competition entry forms can be found in high street stores, supermarkets, banks, chemists, DIY stores, garden centres etc. Other places to search are airports, tourist information offices, at tourist attractions, in magazines and newspapers. For internet competitions, simply go to any search engine and search for competition portals, which are gateways to lots of comps on the web, or search for competitions to enter, contests to enter, prize draws, win competitions, or similar keywords.

There are also monthly competition magazines available on subscription from various publication houses, which list details of current competitions.  An Internet search for competition magazines should give you some information.

Can I make multiple entries to competitions?
Always read competition rules on the entry form to ascertain whether multiple entries are allowed.  You may be limited to one entry per person or one per household.  Sounds obvious, but submitting multiple entries to a one per household contest is the quickest way of ensuring your entry is disqualified.

From my judging experience, up to 25% of entries are disqualified for some infringement of the rules, i.e. illegible entries, omission of name and address (don't laugh, it often happens!), multiple entries when not allowed, incorrect answers to competition questions.

When posting multiple entries for 'first drawn' prize draws,  should the rules permit, then do spread your entries out, for example, post one every week for the duration of the prize draw.

What is an LWE?
Long white envelope. Most 'Congratulations you have won' letters arrive in long white envelopes. LWE has become a term used to mean prize-winning notifications.  Competition promoters may offer a choice of entry such as postcard, plain paper, telephone, text or e-mail. Similarly, they may notify you of a prize win by post, telephone, text or e-mail.

What is a qualifier or POP?
Proof of Purchase (POP) or qualifier. This can be a till receipt showing the item(s) you have purchased, which qualifies you to enter the competition.   Hence the compers term 'qualifier'.  A 'POP' can also be a barcode, logo cut from a package, bottle top or ring pull.   In other words, its an item which the promoter has asked you to include with your competition entry to proof you've purchased the product, thus qualifying you to enter.

Should I use plain white or picture postcards for prize draws?
When competition rules state, 'entries on the back of a postcard, or 'entries on a plain postcard', we suggest you use a standard size plain white postcard.  When competition rules state, 'send your details on a postcard', we leave the choice to you.  

Some competition judges randomly pick 'blind', others choose bright colours  or pretty picture postcards, others opt for plain white cards. It really is 'the luck of the draw'.    The choice is yours.  I've won gardening prizes using picture postcards of flowers. I won a leather handbag in the middle of summer using the front of a Christmas card as a postcard.  I won a car using the front of a large cereal packet as a postcard, when I needed to write 1,284 words on a 'postcard'.

When using picture postcards, draw a line down the centre of the plain side. Print the name of the recipient on the right hand side. Then turn the postcard from horizontal to vertical and print your name and address in the space below.  This helps prevent your postcard being returned back to you in the post.

Can I use labels for my name and address?
Always read the rules on the entry form. When it says 'write your name and address', then print clearly in ink. When it says 'add', or 'send your details' then either print or use a name and address label.   For entry forms with tasks and tiebreakers I always print and never use labels.  I have used labels when the task is to send your name and address for a prize draw, however, I much prefer to print.

What is a handling house?
A handling house is a company who 'handles' competitions on behalf of their clients. This may include receiving competition entries and handling the competition right through to the prize notification or they may handle the competition until the judging of a tiebreaker, when it will be passed to the promoter.   There is always normally at least one independent judge present at judging sessions. 

Judge for Yourself! article

© Copyright Lynne Suzanne www.win-with-lynne.co.uk