You've been told that you've won a sweepstakes giveaway, so you've completed and returned the required paperwork, and now you wait.
The time it takes to get your reward varies depending on the sponsor. If you're impatient, begin by reading through the sweepstakes rules. If the rules do not specify shipping dates, your win notification will include the details you need.
The prize may be shipped 4 to 6 weeks after the affidavit is returned to the sponsor, according to certain rules. Others state that the reward may come 8 to 10 weeks after the sweepstakes have ended. If you win at the beginning of a giveaway that lasts months, you will have to wait a long time for your reward to arrive.
What to do if the sweepstakes prizes are delayed
So, if the anticipated delivery deadline for your reward has passed and you still haven't received your prize, we recommend waiting a little longer. Yes, you may have entered and returned the affidavits to the sponsor on time, but the sponsor may still be late in fulfilling the reward.
However, deliveries can be lost in the mail or there may be some reason why the reward hasn't arrived on schedule. On the sponsor's end, there could be unanticipated delays. Any advertisers, for example, must wait for rewards from other companies before they can send them out, causing further delays.
It's a good idea to wait for a month before contacting the sponsor about a reward that hasn't arrived.
How to contact the company for your sweepstakes prize:
Begin with your win notification
If you got your winning message via email, try sending another email to the same address. If you received your winning notification in the mail, consider writing to the return address. If you get a winning notification by phone, request a contact name and number in case you have any follow-up questions regarding your prize delivery.
Check the sweepstakes rules
At times, you can find the company's contact details or an email address in the sweepstakes guidelines. You can use those addresses if you have any questions.
Look up the sweepstakes' fulfillment agency
Find out who is fulfilling or managing the sweepstakes by checking the rules. Then, look up the distribution company's website online. Many websites have an "About Us" or "Contact" section that provides contact details that you can use to inquire about your prize.
Contact the sponsor directly
If there is no manager or fulfillment agent listed for the sweepstakes, email the sponsor directly to inquire about your prize. It could take some digging to locate the people in charge of the giveaway if it's a large company. It's a good idea to start by searching for the marketing department.
