Grand Prize Trip to Cancun

J

jredleg

New member
Received an email about winning a 3 night all inclusive trip to the Secrets Capri Riviera resort in Cancun, Mexico from a NJ news website and a major travel company. Third trip I won in the past year (declined one because the w-9 was too high).
 
Congrats on a great trip win! When it comes to trips, don't be afraid of the approximate retail value of the prize. The ARV is based on the estimated cost which is figured conservatively based on the highest possible payout for the sponsor. Obviously, if you live in California and win a trip to Las Vegas, it's going to be a lot cheaper for the sponsor and for you W-9 wise when it's reported than someone who lives in Maine and wins. Also, some contests may stated "Win a trip for four". but most of the time, you can just go with your spouse, partner or a friend and save the W-9 costs of the two additional tickets and or accommodations. Finally, most sponsors and travel agencies will work with you to make you happy. I do it all the time. For example, on an upcoming trip win, I asked the sponsor to add two extra nights to the hotel stay so I can extend my time on vacation. I'll pay for the extra two days out of pocket, but so what. I'm going there on there already. So in other words, when you win, always take the time to ask first how much it might all total up and if they'll work with you to reduce your liability. Most of them will as they want their winner to be happy.
 
I won a trip that said the APV was $3000. After I got the actual price of everything it was $1900. When I asked the sponsor what was going to be on the W-9 they said $3000 and they couldn't change it. Enjoyed the trip but not being taxed on the value they are stating.
 
Thanks for the good advice YaOughta. Truth be told, the trip I turned down was a trip to Dallas, a meet & greet with a Pop artist, seats to the show, and two tickets to a black tie affair, where I would have to get a tux. The value was over $7,000.

My wife and I aren't fans enough to pay (in taxes) over $2,000 to meet a singer.

This trip, we're OK with, the value is about $3,300.
 
I completely understand. If you're not a fan of the artist, you saved yourself some money by turning it down. I probably would have done the same as I'm not a tux kind of a guy. Here's a good way of thinking about things like that. By turning it down, you just gave someone else a prize! Normally, unless it states otherwise in the rules, they conduct another draw and award it to someone else, so in a very real sense, by turning it down, you made room to make someone else happy and that's awesome.
 
yaoughta said:
I completely understand. If you're not a fan of the artist, you saved yourself some money by turning it down. I probably would have done the same as I'm not a tux kind of a guy. Here's a good way of thinking about things like that. By turning it down, you just gave someone else a prize! Normally, unless it states otherwise in the rules, they conduct another draw and award it to someone else, so in a very real sense, by turning it down, you made room to make someone else happy and that's awesome.
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Absolutely agree. I was thrilled to have won, and yes, by respectfully declining the win, someone else got a chance to win a great weekend in Dallas!

And everyone else, I won because I play. Don't give up!

May the odds be in your favor.
 
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