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Reader Stories: How Did You Win Your First Prize?

By , About.com Guide

Sweepers share their stories about the first prizes they won. Read these stories to get tips and inspiration to help you win more prizes.

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Splash Wins After Just One Day of Entering Sweepstakes

I was shocked and surprised. I was thrilled that I won a great opportunity for travel. The contest was not run well, it only gave the winner leass than 24 hours to get ready to go: to pack, to put ca…More

Robbie Started Sweeping with a Shopping Spree Win at a Local Mall

That win changed my life, not with the great pendants we were able to purchase just before Christmas, but with my entering contests regularly after that. It was such a great experience with that firs…More

Scitrus' First Win - A Soccer.com T-Shirt

Last September I started looking for contests and instant wins on a whim, as I love free stuff in general. I went down a list of instant wins day after day for about a week. There was a contest calle…More

Amburke12 Wins Lots of Prizes through About.com's Sweeps List

I couldn't believe that the knock on my door was a delivery package for me from a sweeps I filled out online! How easy was that? I was so excited and thought, well this could be addicting..haha! I wo…More

SunshineGirl57's First Sweepstakes Prize: An Instant Win from Quicken Loans

I was very surprised when I spun the wheel and it came up with the same 3 pictures. I'd gotten used to seeing "sorry you're not a winner today." I've been entering contests for about 3 months and was…More

Granddaddy53's First Prize - A $1,500 Star Wars Helmet

Well I'm hooked now! Yes I was pleasantly surprised at my luck! I called everyone I knew and my wife was just as excited as I was. After talking to so many people about my win I came across Sarah, a …More

Chris' First Win - A Trip to the Riviera Maya from Funjet

I thought at first it was a scam so i printed the email and read it very carefully looking for the catch and to my surprise there wasn't any! And we were a little scared of what we might find when we…More

A First Prize Win of an iTunes Gift Card

When I saw the letter in the mail I forgot what it was for. I was so excited to find out I had won something! Although it was only $25 it gave me the encouragement to continue with sweeps to hopefull…More

FragrantFlower's First Sweepstakes Prize - A Box of Granola Bars

I had thought that a coupon for a free box of granola bars would be sent to me, so the company could save on shipping, but I guess not.It was nice to win something! I felt happy! If I'd been there wi…More

Jilbe1's First Win - A $600 Visa Gift Card

Wonderful! It energized me and kept me going until I won the next prize 3 months later- a trip!!! I used to tell my friends at first but the last win at work they all seemed to be resentful and jealo…More

Pets Can Win You Prizes!!

I was totally shocked and laughing like crazy. I remember well when I entered the sweepstakes. It was a mail in entry and I put all sorts of "dog" stamps, Love my Dog, etc on the outside of the envel…More

Djuanadmd's First Win - a $300 Sony Gift Card

It was great to win a pretty decent prize for my first time. It came in the mail so I was not expecting it at all. I was entering to win a family vacation but this was a great first win. I still ente…More

Boop's First Prize: A Free Disney Vacation

There was No asking for money. It was a wonderful trip, actually the best one I've ever been on. And when the envelope came I was skeptical so I called to make sure it was legit & it was !!! The spon…More

Coachniquenya's Crazy Poem Won a Trip to NYC

I was extremely shocked and excited. I couldn't believe it because I never win ANYTHING. I was like WOW! I couldn't wait to tell my coworkers about the prize because they were with me all the way whe…More

78goldwing's First Win - A Stove from the Dough Boy

When I first got the call about winning I wouldn't believe it. That was followed up by a letter to take to my nearest Sears store to pick out the range we wanted & it wasn't until they verified it th…More

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