How NOT to Get Screwed
The 3 Golden Rules
-
Rules First, Hype Second
Never buy/enter before you’ve opened the official rules and checked dates, eligibility, and prize details.
-
Sponsor Has to Exist in Real Life
Look for an actual business (site, social, real contact info)—not just a PO box and some stock photos.
-
Entries Should Be Optional, Not Forced
There should ALWAYS be a way to enter without spending (the AMOE). If they hide it, that’s a smell.
The tracker is built on these rules. I just do the homework so you don’t have to.
The WinThatWhip 5-Bucket Score
-
Sponsor Legitimacy – Are they a real brand that ships real cars?
-
Rule Transparency – Are the rules easy to find and readable?
-
AMOE Strength – Can you enter without spending, and is it fair?
-
Prize vs. Odds – Is the car actually worth what they say, and do you have a shot?
-
Overall Fairness – Any weird clauses that make you go “yeah, no thanks”?
On the free side I teach you what to look for.
In the tracker I show you which giveaways are actually passing these tests right now.
🚩 Rapid-Fire Red Flags
-
Rules link is missing, broken, or buried.
-
No clear sponsor name or company info.
-
“Winner chosen at our discretion” or super vague selection language.
-
No start/end dates, or “winner announced at 11pm tonight only” panic hacks.
-
Taxes, title, and shipping all pushed onto you without explaining it
If you see two or more of these, I usually skip it.
Smart Entry Strategy
Keep it real:
-
Pick your top 3–5 giveaways instead of firing entries at everything.
-
Set a monthly budget for “entry spend” and stick to it.
-
Prioritize legit smaller pages where your odds aren’t destroyed.
-
Keep a simple log (or just use my tracker 😅) so you remember what you entered and when.
I built the WinThatWhip Giveaway Tracker so you can skip the spreadsheet and just see which giveaways are currently worth your time.
Disclaimer:
I’m not a lawyer, accountant, or sweepstakes sponsor. These tips are based on my own research and opinions. Always read the official rules and do your own homework before entering any giveaway.