Charter & FAQ - retreved from Deja-news -------------------------------------------------- Due to popular demand, I am posting a copy of the original postal faq and Charter (section 5) for this newsgroup. Please note this postal comp faq is out of date and resources etc may well no longer be available, or prices may be out of date. There is also an original webcomp faq, written by Allan White as well as an faq which is posted to the ng quite regulary at the moment. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for the newsgroup uk.rec.competitions -------------------------------------------------- - INTRODUCTION - uk.rec.competitions ====================================== This newsgroup was created on 16/05/96. The proponent was Karl Bassett email karl@devices.force9.co.uk The following FAQs were written by Angela Cowley email angela@squig.demon.co.uk and maintained by Angela and Karl. The following is a list of questions most frequently asked by 'compers'. It includes advice on both draws and slogan competitions, as well as an address list of products available to help in this hobby. This document will be regularly updated and any input should be directed to Angela or Karl. CONTENTS ======== SECTION 1 a What is a plain paper entry? b What size should a plain paper entry be? c What is an instant win? d Why can't I find any entry forms? e Can I put all my entries to the same promoter in one envelope? f What is a qualifier? g What if I win a holiday for 2, but have children I want to take? h What do I do if I move house? i What's the difference between one per person and one per household entries? j Why do I sometimes get my own postcard entries returned to me? k What does 'No purchase necessary' mean? l Follow the rules exactly m What value stamp should I use? n What is a slogan? o What is an Acrostic? p What is a rhyming couplet? q What is a chestnut? r Who is the Comping Queen? s Can I use a till receipt with one item on it? t Can I use other people's till receipts? u Will I ever be asked to pay to receive my prize? v Should I buy coloured envelopes? w Abbreviations SECTION 2 Useful Postal Information aa Can I claim if a letter is lost? bb How do I claim on lost or damaged items? cc What if the Post Office still doesn't want to pay? dd How should I send valuables in the post? ee What if I don't put on enough stamps? ff What if I don't know the postcode? gg What if it must arrive the next day? hh How can I be sure that it got there? SECTION 3 Useful telephone information SECTION 4 Resources List SECTION 5 Group Charter SECTION 6 Disclaimer SECTION 1 a. What is a plain paper entry? ---------------------------- A plain paper entry is exactly as it sounds. Some prize draws do not require an entry form or a purchase. They are called free prize draws and simply require the competitor to write their details on a piece of plain paper and send them in a stamped envelope to the promotion address. b. What size should a plain paper entry be? ---------------------------------------- If the rules specify a certain size, then obviously this is the size to use. Otherwise, any size will be fine. However, for instant wins, where you send your details and a can, bottle etc is opened for you, it would be a waste of money to use a piece of A4 paper for one entry, when you could cut it into 6. c. What is an instant win? ----------------------- An instant win promotion is one on which a company places a message within the packaging of their product, telling the consumer they have or have not won a prize. This type of promotion should always be a 'no purchase necessary' one. This does not mean one can open all the tubs of margarine in the supermarket, looking for winning messages, as one gentleman did. It simply means that rather than buying the item, a plain piece of paper with your name and address details on it can be sent to the promotion address and a container will be opened on your behalf. If you are a winner, you will be notified. You will, by law, have an equal chance of winning this way, as if you'd bought the product. Generally, promoters who run instant wins put half the prizes on product labels etc. and reserve the other half for plain paper entries. These entries are increasingly being chosen randomly from the databases created using the plain paper entries and selected by computer. Therefore, when entering instant win promotions, the use of pretty paper or bright envelopes it is not recommended, as cheap stationery should do just as nicely! d. Why can't I find any entry forms? --------------------------------- If you have searched all the shelves in store and asked staff, customer services and the manager, without any luck, you could write to the store's head office. However, what might be an easier way of getting forms is to subscribe to an entry form service or to make use of an entry form exchange. e. Can I put all my entries to the same promoter in one big envelope? ------------------------------------ Unless otherwise stated, this is not recommended as promoters do not always open the envelope for draws, so you could end up, in effect, having only made the one entry. f. What is a qualifier? -------------------- A qualifier can be a till receipt, a barcode, a wrapper, label or a business stamp, in fact any of a number of things which proves that the entrant has bought a product or in other words has qualified for entry into the competition. g. What if I win a holiday for 2 but have children I want to take? --------------------------------- It is well worth telling the promoters that you would like to pay the extra to take your children. They will almost always allow this and have been known to do this without any extra cost to you! Similarly, winners of holidays for four, who are only in need of two places can sometimes find themselves upgraded or get some spending money thrown in, so it never hurt to ask! h. What do I do if I move house? ----------------------------- It would probably be worthwhile paying the post office to forward any mail to your new address for at least 6 months after you move, thus allowing for even the slowest of promoters to send on your prizes. i. What's the difference between one per person and one per household entries? ------------------------------------- When a competition specifies one entry per person, it means just that. However, there is no reason why other members of the household should not enter. If you enter in their names, be sure to tell them and to ensure that you have agreed on what happens to the prize if their entry wins! If the prize is a holiday or a cash prize, do be sure that entries will still mean that cheques and travel tickets will be in an acceptable name though. It's no good getting a cheque in your sisters name if she has no bank account, for example! One entry per household means just that, so be sure that if there is more than one comper living at your house, you don't invalidate each others entry by sending more than one. Do not be misled by competitions where one prize per household is allowed, as this does not always mean only one entry per household is allowed. j. Why do I sometimes get my own postcard entries returned to me? -------------------------------- When writing a postcard entry, it is important to add the words 'To' and 'From' and to write your own details at 90 degrees to those of the promoters (i.e. sideways). This seems to prevent the post office sorting machines from mistaking the destination address. k. What does No purchase necessary mean? ------------------------------------- This generally means that entries can be made using a postcard, plain paper or entry form without buying a qualifier. Like with instant wins, always check small print on entry forms for plain paper allowances, as sometimes a product will feature a competition and entry form, but the small print will state that entries on plain paper are acceptable. l. Follow the Rules Exactly ------------------------ Always be sure to follow the rules to the letter or your entry will not succeed. It may sound obvious, but many entries are eliminated because they didn't do just this. If asked to 'write' your details, then do write them in black or blue ball-point pen and block capitals, unless otherwise stated. If asked to 'send' or 'put' your details, then sticky address labels or type written forms are acceptable. Finally, be sure to meet deadlines by checking closing dates. m. What value stamp should I use? ------------------------------ The new price of a first class stamp is 26p and second class is 20p. These prices were introduced on 8 July 1996. A first class letter should arrive on the following working day. A second class letter should arrive within 4 working days. n. What is a Slogan? ----------------- When a slogan tie breaker is required, it will usually be in the form of a sentence which needs to be finished off in a specified number of words, 10, 12 and 15 being the most frequently required numbers. If the rules state no more than ten words, then ten is the maximum number to be used. Watch out for rules stating 'less than', for example, 10, as the maximum allowed is then 9. Also remember that the terms 'it's','doesn't' etc. actually count as 2 not one word, since they are shortened ways of writing it is, does not etc. o. What is an Acrostic? -------------------- An Acrostic is a slogan in which the first letter of each word spells another word. For example, 'It's Cool And Neat And Downs A treat', which is an acrostic of CANADA. p. What is a rhyming couplet? -------------------------- A rhyming couplet is the style most frequently used in slogan writing. Examples of rhyming couplets are: I'm tickled pink because it matches my sink On a long distance shop, it's my pit stop Perfect taste in every pack, something other juices lack....etc.... q. What is a chestnut? ------------------- A chestnut is a slogan which has been used many, many times and is known to all seasoned compers. For example, Experts perfect them, perfectionists select them. Although these slogans are very unpopular with some compers, they still seem to win prizes. r. Who is the Comping Queen? ------------------------- A couple of years ago there was a documentary on tv featuring a lady called Rita Smallburn. She has won many prizes, including several cars and even a house and so she is now generally referred to as the Comping Queen, as in the title of this documentary. s. Can I use a till receipt with one item on it? ------------------------ If a competition requires a proof of purchase, in the form of a till receipt, there is nothing in the rules to state there needs to be any other purchase on the receipt. However, the documentary on the Comping Queen followed the judging of a Dubonnet competition where an excellent slogan was dismissed because the receipt only had one item and was deemed as being that of a 'professional' competitor. Therefore, putting a couple of items on each receipt might be a wise decision. The lady whose Dubonnet slogan was dismissed puts 3 mushrooms on every qualifying receipt now, if she doesn't have any other shopping to get!! t. Can I use other people's receipts? ---------------------------------- Unless the qualifier states a label, bottle top, or the like, AND a till receipt is needed, there is no reason why picking up old till receipts showing the correct purchase shouldn't be done, unless of course the date of purchase does not fall within any dates specified on the entry form. u. Will I ever be asked to pay to receive my prize? ------------------------ The general rule is NO! Unless you actually remember entering a competition which specified payment would be necessary, then you are generally dealing with a con or a timeshare, either way, take advice before you part with your cash. A reputable company who runs a competition to promote their product would never expect the winners to pay! v. Should I buy coloured envelopes? -------------------------------- Some people believe coloured envelopes and picture postcards are more likely to win prizes than plain ones, however, there is no way of knowing whether a judge would favour either one, besides, every competition has a different judge. It is probably worth experimenting by trying both, or if you have children, get them to decorate white envelopes with coloured pens. Most people tend to favour picture postcards though. warning...some of the big solutionists are selling postcards and envelopes of a poor quality, so beware when ordering products. If a company is not prepared to send you a sample, then wonder why!! w. Abbreviations ------------- pp - plain paper pc - postcard LWE - long white envelope. This abbreviation developed when prize letters were almost always sent in a long, white business style envelope, but generally the term LWE is now used to mean a letter of Congratulations! comp - competition comper - one who enters competitions SDE - sealed down envelope, used instead of a postcard, with nothing inside the envelope, just details written on the outside. SAE - Stamped addressed envelope SECTION 2 Useful Postal Information aa Can I claim if a letter is lost? -------------------------------- Only if you can prove you posted it. An easy and free way to do that is to fill in a certificate of posting at your post office. You can claim up to £26 in compensation if your letter doesn't arrive. Without that proof they don't have to pay. Of course, where claims for instant wins are concerned, remember to take the value of the prize you may be claiming into consideration. bb How do I claim on lost or damaged items? ---------------------------------------- Fill in form P58 at your post office. Keep damaged items and packaging in case you have to produce them later. You should get a cheque within a month. cc What if the Post Office still doesn't want to pay? ----------------------------- Write to the Royal Mail Customer Care Service (ask at the PO or phone 0345 740740). If that doesn't work, contact your post office advisory committee (tel 0345 223344). dd How should I send valuables in the post? ---------------------------------------- To post something worth more than £26 send it by Registered Post, covering yourself for loss or damage up to £500. It costs from £3 (for up to 2Kg) plus first class postage. If something is worth more than £500 use Registered plus which has higher compensation. Remember that it is important to make sure a rare instant win label arrives safely at the promoter's address or that long sought after prize could be gone forever! ee What if I don't put on enough stamps? ------------------------------------- The receiver will be asked to pay 20p plus the extra postage. If they refuse, the mail will be sent back to you. This will be very disappointing if it causes you to miss a closing date! ff What if I don't know the postcode? ---------------------------------- Telephone 0345 111222 and give the address. This call will be charged at local rate. gg What if it must arrive the next day? ------------------------------------ If the closing date is the next day, this may not be a suitable thing to do, but in case it's needed, you ask for special delivery. This works for most areas in UK and costs from £2.70 (up to 2kg) plus first class postage. If it doesn't arrive in time you'll be paid double the fee but must claim within 14 days. hh How can I be sure that it got there? ------------------------------------ If time is not important send it by recorded delivery: 60p plus first or second class postage. The postman will collect a signature on delivery. To double check a letter's arrived phone 0645 272100. SECTION 3 Useful telephone information Competitions can be found in many places including on the internet. Allan White has written a very useful faq especially for people who are interested in internet competions. This can be found on the Official uk.rec.competitions homepage at http://www.devices.demon.co.uk. However, surfing the net can be very expensive for people who pay their own phone bills. A useful BT service is now available. It is called 'Call my bill' and the number to dial is 0800 854608. By inputting your telephone number and customer number, you can find out how much your telephone bill currently stands at. This figure will include VAT but exclude line rental and customer discounts such as friends and family and premierline, but after a heavy surfing session it's nice to be able to lessen the quarterly shock! SECTION 4 Resources ========= Please note, only suppliers known to have a proven record by the authors will be listed here. The authors' disclaimer still applies to the resources and you order at your own risk. New services will be investigated before being added to this list, to minimise disappointment. You are advised to send an SAE to the supplier you are interested in to confirm prices and details. Entry Form Suppliers -------------------- B. King 25 Oldgates Drive, Blackburn, Lancs BB2 5BY Walton's Mountain, 195 Rutland Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 4BW Formwork, PO Box 67, Bishops Stortford, Herts CM23 3NW Entry Form Exchanges -------------------- Tod's Swaps, Tod's Cottage, Peasenhall Road, Walpole, Halesworth IP19 9PQ Send large SAE and forms. Solutionist Magazines --------------------- Jane and Malcolm's Competition Solutions, 57 Dukes Avenue, New Malden, Surrey KT3 4HW Competitor's Companion, Columbus House, 28 Charles Square, London N1 6HT 60.00 pounds per year Competition Grape-vine, P O BOX 3171, London, E12 5EP 36.00 pounds per year - cheques/POs payable to JOHN LOCK Prize Draw Magazines -------------------- Prize Draw Winner, Columbus House, 28 Charles Square, London N1 6HT 60.00 pounds per year. General Comping Magazines ------------------------- Competitor's World, available for 1.50 at newsagents Competitor's Update, Columbus House, 28 Charles Square, London N1 6HT Books listing previous winning slogans -------------------------------------- Winners '92, '93, '94, '95, '96. 4 pounds each Winners '97 5 pounds. Available from:- J. L. Johnson, 7 Broxash Close, Bromyard,Herefordshire HR7 4TU How To Win Any Slogan Competition by Angelina Kaye, 6.99, published by Guinness ISBN 0-85112-751-7 Comping Clubs - postal ---------------------- 'INFORM' is a postal comping club for keen compers nationwide.Each member joins a 'Round Robin' group of about 6 members to exchange entry forms,comping info etc.A quarterly newsletter is sent to each group.INFORM is not a business and is non-profit making with a small yearly subscription to cover club expenses(currently four pounds). For full details send large SAE to: IN-FORM, PO BOX 7, KEMPSEY, WORCS. WR5 3YA Also 'Whistlestop' (same idea as above,but group vacancies are limited.) Send SAE to: Mrs G EDWARDS, 'IONFA', 23.Castan Road, Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan, CF72 9EH SECTION 5 Charter: This newsgroup is for the announcement and discussion of competitions open to UK residents. The group enables readers to share information on new competitions/prize draws, discuss tie-breakers and help others with the answers to those tricky puzzles and questions. The advertisement and discussion of competitions for which a fee is chargeable is not allowed. Discussions relating to the National Lottery, for example, should be directed to a more appropriate group, such as rec.gambling.lottery . Advertising: Short (less than 20 line) announcements of events relevant to readers are permitted; blatant off-topic or commercial advertising is not. Binaries: Binaries are not permitted in this group, however, references to FTPable material and web URL's are welcomed. Moderated: This group is unmoderated. Proponent: Karl Bassett email to karl@devices.force9.co.uk SECTION 6 Disclaimer Whilst care has been taken in compiling this document, the authors take no responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions. Use of this document is at your own risk and no responsibility will be taken for any consequences, either direct, or indirect, resulting from its use. -- Angela