Fairness in Giveaways

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Permalink Reply by Jen on October 10, 2008 at 4:01pm

Thanks everyone for your input! ;)

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Permalink Reply by Karen Miller on October 11, 2008 at 5:58am

Hi Jen...

I truly feel that the host has every right to make the rules and to stick to them. If the participant doesn't like it, they may choose not to participate, especially since the host is the one being generous. My rules change depending on what I am trying to do with the contest. If my desire is to expose people to my online business, then the rules will involve introducing people to my website and services. If I'm doing a poetry writing contest, then it's only fair to lay down poetry guidelines so that there is a level playing field. When the contest is just because I'm feeling generous, then I'm happy with a comment.

I generally try to disqualify before the drawing to ensure that those who have followed the rules are not being swept aside by someone who didn't. For instance, if the generator selects number 39 and there was one unqualified entrant between 1 and 39, then it upsets the way the numbers fall. I guess I'm just a stickler on fairness.

I have entered 100's of contests. In the last couple of Bloggy Giveaway Contests, I was interested to see what the odds were. I entered a total of 1800 giveaways during 2 different events and I walked away with 13 wins. Not a huge outcome, but I did learn some things...

* First and foremost, there is heart behind every blog. I realize that I won't be returning to a thousand different blogs, but I do attempt to take interest in who I am visiting.
* When there are too many rules and hundreds of entrants, it's not a good use of my time. Sure, I could win, but the odds aren't that good.
* Some blogs or websites had giveaways within giveaways. This was overkill. They lost my interest immediately.
* The overseers of some of these multiple giveaways should place a limit on how many hosts there are. This way, entrants can make quality—rather than rushed—visits. The hosts will have a better chance of return visits.
* I felt bad for those who were giving away smaller gifts. They had wonderful products but far less traffic. People wanted the BIG STUFF! I learned in direct sales that you give to get; however, many can't afford to give big. It was fun seeing people with no motive at all, just giving a $10.00 Starbucks card or a box of cereal because they wanted to bless someone.
* Since my blog represents who I am, I love it when people take an interest in me. One of the best contests that I hosted simply involved people going into my archives, reading something, and coming back to post on it. This is where I have made some wonderful friends.

Okay, enough of my soap box.

Blessings, KJ

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on October 11, 2008 at 1:51pm

definitely sound fair to me. Rules are rules, If kids don't follow them, they don't get their treats, why should adults??

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Permalink Reply by Mary Salvato on October 11, 2008 at 10:40pm

I usually don't delete comments that didnt follow the rules, If I draw a winner that didnt follow the rules, I go on to the next random number.

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Permalink Reply by valmg on October 11, 2008 at 11:37pm

I've done quite a few and it wouldn't be fair without rules. Yes it is certainly fair and justified to make an entry ineligible if you have stated how to enter when the giveaway started and they didn't do it. I state it at the end of any giveaway announcement.

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth on October 13, 2008 at 5:43pm

I have a monthly giveaway on my site ParentingPink.com and I always verify that each entrant has provided the correct information. If there is anything missing from the entry, then I consider it void. To help my readers understand the rules, I have a separate "Contest Rules" page on the site so that if there are any questions or concerns about how the contest is handled, they can refer to it. Ive' also found that its also a great way to keep yourself "legally" grounded too.

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Permalink Reply by tanyetta on October 13, 2008 at 6:36pm

Each commenter must follow the rules point blank. :)

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Permalink Reply by Miranda Kuskie on October 14, 2008 at 7:58pm

I am a firm believer in following the rules. I was amazed at how many people DIDN'T follow the rules in the giveaway that ended today. A lot of people missed out because I had no way to contact them & their profile had no contact email either and they weren't bloggers. It was REALLY annoying! Took me about 45 minutes just to sort through and check who'd done it right. I write down the ones who did what they were supposed to, number them and then run them through a random generator... do you think that's fair?

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Permalink Reply by Jen on October 14, 2008 at 8:13pm

I think it's fair, but poor you having to go through the extra trouble...I sorted mine as I got them through moderation...or tried to...so I had a clean slate to run the random generator.
Miranda said:

I am a firm believer in following the rules. I was amazed at how many people DIDN'T follow the rules in the giveaway that ended today. A lot of people missed out because I had no way to contact them & their profile had no contact email either and they weren't bloggers. It was REALLY annoying! Took me about 45 minutes just to sort through and check who'd done it right. I write down the ones who did what they were supposed to, number them and then run them through a random generator... do you think that's fair?

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Permalink Reply by Andrea on October 14, 2008 at 10:28pm

Totally fair!

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Permalink Reply by Mom Bloggers Club on October 17, 2008 at 10:33am

LOL.

Pat Vesperman said:

Rules are meant to be broken....just kidding. Yes, if they don't follow the simple rules, they are removed from the contest.

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Permalink Reply by Jennae @ Green Your Decor on October 19, 2008 at 11:31am

I definitely agree with you. If they didn't follow the rules, their entry isn't valid.

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