Reader's Corner
Our monthly Reader's Corner features questions sent in by readers:
Joan Skopic of Pennsylvania and Marilyn Brown of Ohio both have the same question
about phone number requirements: They would like to know whether one phone number is
enough when daytime and evening phone numbers are required, and whether that one number
must be printed twice if it is the entrant’s daytime and evening number.
If you have just one phone number and are around during the daytime, as well as a night,
it is okay to print just that number, and it is not necessary to print it twice. If a
member of the family has a work number at which he or she can be reached during normal
office hours, we recommend entering that family member's name and work number, plus your
home number when an evening or night phone number is required. That way, if you’re
out shopping during the day, your family member will be at a work number where the call
can be accepted.
Dawnmarie Ferraro of New York asked whether 3x5 cards may be used when 3x5 paper is
specified; this is not allowed, although logic would indicate that cards are made of paper
and so should be allowed. Just to be on the safe side, use only paper for 3x5 paper
requirements.
Reba Whitson of Tennessee asks whether we have any statistical information that could tell
readers about the proportion of colored envelopes versus white envelopes that are selected
as winners, and whether entering a sweeps at the end of the promotion increases an
entrant’s chances of winning.
We do not have any hard data from judging agencies, but the drawings we
have attended lead us to think that agencies and sponsors go out of their way to avoid
being influenced by envelope color, sparkles, stickers and designs on envelopes. Your
money is better spent on more white envelopes and stamps than on fancy frills that can
only serve to clog mail sorting equipment when they peel off. As for when the best time to
enter a sweeps may be, that topic is open for debate. We would like to hear from any
readers who think they have a proven track record and technique for winning by entering
sweeps according to any particular time table.
Hillel Smulowitz of Oklahoma asks, “When it says hand-written envelope, does the
return address also need to be hand written?” We recommend avoiding rubber-stamped or
sticker return address envelopes when a hand-written envelope is required, just to be on
the safe side.
West Virginia reader Robert A. Beamer writes, “Is the use of name and address labels
acceptable to use for return address on envelopes? We get these in the mail by the
hundreds. Their use would speed up entering.” We get lots of these, too, and have
used them on occasion, although we have a handy rubber stamp that we usually use. The only
exception to this is when a “hand-addressed” envelope is required. This rule is
not that widespread, but when it appears we recommend avoiding any but hand-printed return
addresses on the entry envelope.
Florida reader Olivia Sobotta writes, “I want to know if I can mail my entries with a
bulk rate stamp?” This is strictly prohibited in all sweepstakes that are entered by
mail. Entries must be mailed with first class postage, not bulk rate. This is in addition
to the prohibition against mass mailings in a single envelope (putting several entries in
the same envelope). If you did mail entries individually using a bulk rate permit,
we’re sure your entries would be disqualified. The judging agencies are careful to
ensure that no entrant has an advantage over other entrants, and access to mass mailing
permits and equipment would definitely be an advantage.
Jean Rasmussen of Oregon asks, “When there are symbols or marks on your news letter
whether as for on entry forms or mail to addresses, do we need to put them on, too?
Following are examples I see often: SkoalŪ Always There in a Pinch Sweepstakes;
Rainbow™ Playset Sweepstakes.”
These trademarks and service marks are listed in CNL publications exactly as they appear
in the sweepstakes official rules, and it is very important to include them as they
appear. There are some sweepstakes publications that do not include these, and do not
match the case (upper or lower) of some qualifying statements or addresses. We copy them
exactly to ensure that entrants are not disqualified.
Oklahoma subscriber Peggy Fielding (who incidentally just won an Argus camera from a
Lipton drawing) asks, “Could you explain the difference in a Random Drawing and a
Sweepstake Drawing? No doubt you’ve explained that and I just missed your
explanation.” Actually, we haven’t touched on this particular subject, but
it’s easily explained. A random drawing and a sweepstakes drawing are the same, since
a random drawing is the kind conducted in a sweepstakes, or strictly luck-driven
promotion. The confusion starts when a sponsor calls a sweepstakes (which ends with a
random drawing for winners) a “contest” (which involves a skill such as
photography or creation of a recipe). When a promotion is called a contest by a sponsor
but is actually a sweepstakes, we include a note that states, “This is a random
drawing, not a contest.” What that means is that it’s a sweepstakes that the
sponsor mistakenly labeled a contest.
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