Finally a big win... can't accept it. Tears here.

M

mhow

New member
After 4 years of being the grand pubah of the "I enter thousands of sweeps but never win" ( I can't even get a winning screen for the snickers candy bar!! )I finally got a an email that saids congratulations!

We're happy to let you know you’re a winner in the Aqua Hospitality Instant Holiday Giveaway! You've won a Free 2 Night Stay QPON CERTIFICATE - JOY (Aqua Waikiki Joy Hotel), which has an approximate retail value of $700. Congratulations!
WOW! Right? No. I feel like Alanis should be singing to me. How Ironic that the first thing I've won in the last 8 months ( about 8 or so months ago I won 10 coupons for free frozen pancakes- totally dry since then) is a HUGE prize I can't afford or use.
I just can't believe it. I'm actually so sad I cried a wee bit. For several years I have consistently entered, dailys, fb, one times, instants and blogs. THOUSANDS of entries and MAYBE 2 wins per year. Never ever instant wins. Never high value( actually nothing more than worth $25.00) I read abouts others great wins, see their monthly wins they post, and yes, I feel envy...the I read the whiners wall ( I posted on it lst year too- hoping it would break my unluckies- nope)and just keep telling myself that my turn will come. It did, but I'm soo bummed that this was the win I waited for. Have any of you had to decline a prize? Am I awful for feeling like this? I've said b4 I should just give up but I always talked myself back in to hoping. I may really give up now.
 
Suggestion. Read the sweepstakes before you enter and don't enter the ones you know you can't use. This will save you a lot of time and heartache in the future. Also, that will free up your time to enter more of the ones that you really, really want. Try entering the IW sweeps early in the morning. NEVER quit. Quitters don't win ANYTHING. GL
 
I ALWAYS read the details of ANY sweepstake I enter. The only reason I would have to decline would be because of ILLNESS or DEATH.
 
I did read the prizes- It was an instant win sweeps- I was hoping for a towel or beach bag or something. I never enter regular sweeps for prizes that I can't use. But instant win ones have many different types of prizes. I will try to enter early. Good suggestion. I usually do all my stuff in the late PM. Totally willing to switch up my schedule to see if that helps. I reread my post...I sound like a crywhiner baby- I'm really not. Just disappointed.
 
Also see if you contact the sponsors over the prize. See if they will allow you can take a cash prize instead of a trip. You never know until you ask.
 
I don't know if this will help, but if you were trying to win something other than that grand prize, before you out right decline it, I would contact the sponsor. First I would thank them for picking me as the grand prize winner. Then I would let them know that I had been trying to win one of the smaller prizes because I don't THINK I can use the grand prize. See what they say. They may be able to offer you something you can use or want but you won't know till you try. If the sponsor can't or won't then ask them to think about it and give yourself some time to think about it before you out right decline. Good Luck.
 
I rarely will enter for a trip. I don't care to go on airplane, and wouldn't enjoy these if I did win. Over the years have rethought how I enter contest. I love the smaller ones, or something I don't mind to pay taxes on if a bigger win. Biggest win last year was my Big Green Egg. Happy with the contests that I do win. Now the tickets I won for Medieval Times looking forward to getting those. That will be just a nice outing and less than 2 hours from home.

So might want to rethink the contests you enter.
 
I have won 3 trip in a little over a year! I am persistant. I NEVER miss a day. My friends and family all do it, because of my wins all of them are in your boat with you. I tell them as I am telling you, patience. It is coming, odds are that. I live in WA state my 1st big win was from our NEWS station. I went to Palm springs. The less people that can enter increase your odds. Stay happy stay motivated, and good luck my friends
 
mhow said:
I did read the prizes- It was an Instant win sweeps- I was hoping for a towel or beach bag or something. I never enter regular sweeps for prizes that I can't use. But instant win ones have many different types of prizes. I will try to enter early. Good suggestion. I usually do all my stuff in the late PM. Totally willing to switch up my schedule to see if that helps. I reread my post...I sound like a crywhiner baby- I'm really not. Just disappointed.
Click to expand...

Oh mhow, I do not think you are a whiner, you are just frustrated & disappointed!

I personally skipped this one because the lesser prizes weren't my cup of tea, but I know many of us enter for a shot at JUST the lesser prizes, never dreaming we'd win the GP!!!

Try to just shrug this off - I'd look at it like "Oh, darn, I did NOT expect to win the GP, but at least now I KNOW my entries are getting through & I CAN win, YAY!!!"

Aqua Hospitality - Holiday Giveaway
Enter to win designer travel accessories, Free Stays with Aqua Hotels and more! (19) A certificate good for a free two night stay at an Aqua Hotel. (1) See by Chloe Indian. (2) A Kate Spade Beach Tote. (1) A Mary Sol Beach Bag. (1) ECO Extreme Waterproof speaker. (4) An Aqua Beach Towel. (1) 30% Aqua Hospitality Booking Code. (1) 20% Aqua Hospitality Booking Code. (1) 10% Aqua Hospitality Booking Code.
Restrictions : 18+ US , Can (exc Quebec) | Hits : 6065 | Added : 12-12-13 | Expired : 12-31-2013 | Rules

Entry Category : Instant Win
 
mhow,
You're not alone. I too won a trip that I wasn't able to take. Like you I was hoping to win one of the lesser prizes, something that I could actually use. I discussed it with the sponsor & since I wasn't physically able to take the trip (river rafting & fishing) they were willing to let me transfer the prize to a friend of mine. They were a small independent company hosting their own giveaway, not these mega-prize-companies. They couldn't offer a lesser prize since those had already been designated, and my friend wasn't available to take the trip, but at least they were willing to work with me. I think they ended up picking another winner for the GP trip.
So don't despair, see if you they're willing to work with you. Lastly, when I gave up my trip I imagined it going to a true fisherman who would have a great time on that trip & would be grateful for having it passed on to him. Keeping that attitude kept me hopeful. Bless others & you will be blessed.
 
Thank you penguins rock. You are right. I do try hard (don't always succeed, but I try)to keep the right heart attitude and always try to be happy 4 those that win, even when I feel wistful or envy. I appreciate u sharing your story with me!
 
Don't feel too bad about it. At least you know you can win, and maybe now that you broke the seal you'll have a ton of wins!
 
i am sorry to hear that my hubby lost his job back in sept 2012 and he started to do sweeps now i am not saying this to rub it in to anyone but hope it gives others hope since sept 2013 until dec 2013 he has brung in over 45 k worth of wins ranging from money to trips to movies to you name it. he spends over 10 hours a day just like he did at work he has only missed one day and that was on a saturday when we was in vegas (a trip he won) just keep doing what you do i'm not saying you'll do the same but just don't give up he stays at it 7 days a week he use to do the IWG around 1-2 am CST and use to win alot of iwg's now he does them during the day and does not win too many IWG's but he does clean up and other sweeps.just don't give up hope and enter the one's you like and the one's you can use my hubby enter's everything that he can find like i said he put's in about 10 hours a day. i wish you all the best i really do it'll come your way just don't give up hope ok? hang in there
 
I am happy for your win, even if you cannot accept it. It proves that your entering faithfully works. We all enter for different prizes, and sometimes you are not able to go. Look at it this way, keep on sweeping and you will most likely win something that you can and will be able to accept when the circumstances are right. Best wishes to you, and I would contact the sponsor, because alot of the time they have the leeway to make a substitution, or sometimes not. Many wins are on the way if you keep entering! Chin Up!
 
I just want to encourage you to hang in there! If you are entering a few hundred a day and not winning on average 3-5 prizes per week, it might be due in part to the particular sweeps you are choosing. I made that mistake as a beginner. Now I always consider who the sponsor is, can they really afford this prize? If its HGTV or Purex, the answer is yes. If they have a name like WinLotsOfMoneyNow, I stay away. Hang in there with the instant wins ... you never know when you will hit. I've won great IWs at all times of day/night. As for Snickers ... I won my 5th and final prize from them today, and a lot of people have also reached their limit. That means a lot of prizes still out there, and a lot of us exempt from playing. Same with Orville - where you can enter 3 times a day but only win once. So your odds on those get better with time. Good luck to you! :)
 
I had to turn down two trips, only based on the timing - we are a military family and weren't able to take the trips on the very limited times available - I won a cruise to the Bahamas that we couldn't take and asked the sponsor if I could transfer it- they said sure - so I gave it to my mom for a honeymoon she never had :) It sucks having to respectfully decline prizes but take the others suggestions and see what the sponsor says - worst thing they can say is no. Oh well, nothing lost on your end - keep sweeping - the big prizes are coming - i ONLY enter things I really want to win or could use now - I win less, but now I know when i get a congrats email its for something I want!

When you are down and feeling like the wins aren't coming in - try to enter at different times of the day - or enter the "freebies" that are like first x number entrants automatically win - smaller prizes but they keep me motivated and have great odds
 
I still want to say Congratulations on your win! So happy for you. Even though you have to decline the grand prize remember its still a win. I really hope the sponsors will be willing to give you one of the other prizes since you're unable to take the trip. I'm really hopeful they can. Please keep us posted and remember the 3 p's when sweeping - patience, positivity and perseverance. I think 2014 will be a good year full of wins for you. Something I also do is pray God sends me what I need. Trust me this works. Good luck with the sponsor and I can't wait to read more of your 2014 wins :)
 
I have been thinking about this since I 1st read it. Can you ask the sponsor if you can gift the win to someone else if they won't give you a smaller prize? How awesome would it be to give this to a friend or family member who COULD use it. I am sure it would also make you feel really good, too, that your win helped out someone you care about. Just a thought...I hope you get a good answer. :)
 
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