What Types Of UK Competitions Are There?

There are many types. Some are based on skill such as Tiebreakers and Slogans, others are based on chance such as Free Prize Draws.

Click here to read more about different types of UK competitions.

Why Are There UK Competitions?

Competitions are often held by companies to promote or launch a new product or a new range of products.

Websites also hold competitions to encourage people to subscribe to their service or sign up for their newsletter.

Companies often find that competitions are an effective way to introduce their products to large numbers of potential and existing customers.

Sometimes companies also launch competitions to increase brand awareness of the company itself and/or their products.

What Prizes Can I Win with UK Competitions?

There can be all sorts of prizes available to win. Obviously it depends on the competition, but prizes sometimes include:

Cars
Cash
Exotic Foreign Holidays/Weekend Breaks
Computers
Electrical Items such as: DVD players, CD players, MP3 players, Ipods,
Home Theatre Systems, Home Entertainment Systems, TV's, Game Consoles, Digital Radios
Household and Kitchen Appliances including: Freezers, Fridges, Bread makers,
Mobile Phones
Furniture
Video Games
Computer Software
Hampers
Clothing
Cosmetics
Jewellery
DVDs
CDs
Books
Vouchers
Memorabilia
Subscriptions to magazines
Tickets to Sporting Events, Football Matches, Day at the Races, Concerts, Cinemas, Film Premieres, Theatre Shows.

What Types Of People Enter UK Competitions?

All types of people, from all walks of life and ages enter competitions.

Most people look upon entering competitions as an enjoyable hobby, and something to do in their spare time.

Plus there's always the chance of winning some fantastic prizes.

Can I Win Big Prizes with UK Competitions?

Competitions where the main prize is a car or an exotic foreign holiday, tend to be very popular, and do attract large numbers of entries.

But as the saying goes "You Have To Be In It To Win It!"

If you don't enter competitions there isn't a chance of winning any prizes.

Secrets To Winning UK Competitions?

Most people who enter competitions and win prizes say, the more you enter, the greater the chance of winning a prize is.

Luck may have something to do with it too, but there are never any guarantees of winning a prize.

Entering different types of competitions such as online, postcard, entry form and phone may help.

As with anything, perseverance and sticking with it seem to be key.

How Are the Winners of UK Competitions Chosen?

For most competitions, winners are chosen at random from all eligible, correct entries received.

Skill based competitions such as: tiebreakers, slogans, captions, order of merit and estimations, usually select winners by using a "panel of judges".

Am I A Winner of UK Competitions?

If you win an online competition you may receive a winning email (WEM).

Other websites will ask entrants to return after the competition closes, to see if their name is listed among the lucky winners.

Winners can also receive a winning telephone call (WTC), or receive a long white envelope (LWE) in the post, notifying them of a win.

Sometimes a prize will just turn up and be delivered either by post or delivery van.

You can also use search engines to see if your name is listed among any winners on the web. A lot of people have found out that they are winners this way.

Just type your name in double quotation marks followed by a + sign and competition + winners.

When you have finished, it should look like this:

"Firstname Surname" + competition + winners

Click on the pages from the UK option and click on search

Is It A Scam?

Scams operate everywhere and sometimes a prize may not be a prize.

There is information on "Scams" on the web and the following links maybe helpful:

Consumer Direct

Office of Fair Trading

Advertising Standards Authority

The Independent Committee For The Supervision of Standards Of Telephone Information Services

Trading Standards

Institute of Sales Promotions
For queries or complaints relating to any aspect of competitions: e-mail complaints@isp.org.uk

A Good Time To Enter?

This is a difficult one as it depends on the type of competition, plus there are lots of theories!

For postal type competitions that utilise a draw, some say you should leave sending your entry till the last minute, so that it "appears at the top of the pile".

Others disagree and say that you should post your entry early.

Entries to tiebreakers and other skill type competitions use a panel of judges. So as long as your entry qualifies, and is received by the closing date, posting early or late shouldn't make any difference.

Will I Ever Win A Prize with UK Competitions?

While there are no guarantees that you will ever win a competition, it is fair to say that people do regularly win prizes.

If you're suffering from a "dry spell", try entering smaller, local competitions, as there may be less people entering.

While it's nice to dream about winning the big prizes like cars, cash and holidays, don't forget to enter competitions for smaller prizes like books, CDs, DVDs, tickets to events and the cinema.

Smaller wins can keep you going.

Junk Mail and Phone Calls

You can choose to opt out of receiving unsolicited mail and/or telephone calls.

Simply register your preferences with the organisations below.

- To opt out of receiving unsolicited mail, visit the Mail Preference Service website.

- To opt out of receiving unsolicited direct marketing calls, visit the Telephone Preference Service website.