Here are some FAQs we regularly receive regarding the monthly 'Great Giveaway' Sweepstakes. This does not take the place of the Official Sweepstakes Rules, so please make sure you read and understand them as they are the final legal rules. The following are some simple FAQs:
When is the drawing held?
Each month we draw 4 names out of the active members list for that month, and they are announced on or near the 7th-10th of the month.
How will I know if I've won?
There are 3 ways the winners will be notified:
Do you announce the winners in the newsletters?
Yes and no. While we do announce the winners each month in the members only newsletter Hot From The Pit and the public newsletter Smoke Signals after the fact, this is NOT how we notify the winners. The winners are announced in the newsletters after they have been notified and properly claimed their prizes as outlined above, to simply share their good news around the globe.
What if I don't get the message that I won?
We give each winner 5 days to respond. If the winner does not respond and claim as instructed by their deadline, which is 11:59 p.m. Central Time 5 days from when they are notified via email and from when their username is posted in the winners' announcement topic, they will forfeit and another winner will be selected. This is non-reversible. Check your email regularly and check the Announcements > 'Great Giveaway" Monthly Sweepstakes channel regularly.
What if my email went to my spam folder?
Please ensure emails from us (@amazingribs.com) are whitelisted. You can even add us as a contact to ensure they make it to your inbox. The winner notifications currently come from [email protected]. Lastly, scan through your spam folder regularly just in case. We cannot be responsible for notifications not received and claimed in time so we make every effort to instruct you how to ensure you'll get it should you be so fortunate!
What if I win but I don't want that prize, can I exchange it for a different one?
Each prize category (Grand, Second, Third, and Fourth) will have its own winner that month. You cannot exchange your prize category, unless another current winner is mutually agreeable before his or her prizes have shipped, but Grand and Second Prize winners can choose whichever available prize they wish from the available choices for that category. Third and Fourth Prizes are a set prize pack and we cannot make substitutions at this time.
What if I do not want the prize, can I decline?
Yes. If you decide you are not interested in claiming a prize, please notify us as soon as possible so we can pick another winner and notify them. You will remain in the drawing lists automatically each month you are active.
What does "active member" mean?
Active status means your membership dues are up to date, you are not expired and your membership is not cancelled. If you are expired or cancelled, you can still enter but you must do so manually each month as described in the official rules.
Do I have to post in the forum (The Pit) to be considered active?
No. Forum participation is voluntary and has zero effect on your chances of being drawn as a monthly winner, you only need to be in active status to be entered automatically each month.
Do I have to log in to be considered active?
No. Logging in is not required to be selected as a winner. Keeping your annual dues paid is all that is required to be considered active and get automatic entry each month. Claiming your prize, however, yes.
Do I have to log in to claim my prize if I'm selected as a winner?
Yes. Each winner MUST log in and make a post in that month's announcement topic notifying us of their choice publicly in order to claim. If this is not done within the posted 5 day cutoff period for each winner, that winner will forfeit and a new winner will be selected and this is non-reversible. If you are reading this then you likely know how to log in, but just in case read through the other topics in our Help channel here for info on how to log in and make a post.
If I win, am I able to win again later?
Maybe. Grand winners cannot win again for a period of 10 years. Second, Third, and Fourth Prize winners cannot win the same prize again for 10 years, but are eligible to win a different prize again the very next month, should fortune shine on you that way. So it is possible for someone to win all 4 prizes, and it is possible to do that 4 months in a row. In January 2021 the Second Prize winner won the Grand Prize the very next month, so we know it is possible!
Do I have to live in the US to win?
Yes. You have to have a US address, this is US law, and since we are a US company we have to follow that law. For more reasons on precisely why, please see that part of the official rules.
Do I have to pay taxes on my prize?
That depends. If your prize value is $600 USD or higher, yes, it is the law. You will be sent a tax form to file with your taxes for that year that you won and accepted the prize. Currently only Grand Prize items qualify.
I'm a celebrity using a pseudonym here and I won, do I have to reveal who I am to everyone?
Cool. No, keep your pseudonym and your anonymity here. But the IRS needs to know who you are if your prize value is $600+, so you must fill out the paperwork however you do other business legally.
When is the drawing held?
Each month we draw 4 names out of the active members list for that month, and they are announced on or near the 7th-10th of the month.
How will I know if I've won?
There are 3 ways the winners will be notified:
- We'll announce the winners here in 'The Pit' in the Announcements > Great Giveaway' Monthly Sweepstakes channel. A new topic will be created each month with that month in the title and that month's winners in the topic.
- The winners will also be 'mentioned' (tagged) in that month's winners' announcement topic.
- We will also email each winner privately to the email address tied to their membership in their Settings page.
Do you announce the winners in the newsletters?
Yes and no. While we do announce the winners each month in the members only newsletter Hot From The Pit and the public newsletter Smoke Signals after the fact, this is NOT how we notify the winners. The winners are announced in the newsletters after they have been notified and properly claimed their prizes as outlined above, to simply share their good news around the globe.
What if I don't get the message that I won?
We give each winner 5 days to respond. If the winner does not respond and claim as instructed by their deadline, which is 11:59 p.m. Central Time 5 days from when they are notified via email and from when their username is posted in the winners' announcement topic, they will forfeit and another winner will be selected. This is non-reversible. Check your email regularly and check the Announcements > 'Great Giveaway" Monthly Sweepstakes channel regularly.
What if my email went to my spam folder?
Please ensure emails from us (@amazingribs.com) are whitelisted. You can even add us as a contact to ensure they make it to your inbox. The winner notifications currently come from [email protected]. Lastly, scan through your spam folder regularly just in case. We cannot be responsible for notifications not received and claimed in time so we make every effort to instruct you how to ensure you'll get it should you be so fortunate!
What if I win but I don't want that prize, can I exchange it for a different one?
Each prize category (Grand, Second, Third, and Fourth) will have its own winner that month. You cannot exchange your prize category, unless another current winner is mutually agreeable before his or her prizes have shipped, but Grand and Second Prize winners can choose whichever available prize they wish from the available choices for that category. Third and Fourth Prizes are a set prize pack and we cannot make substitutions at this time.
What if I do not want the prize, can I decline?
Yes. If you decide you are not interested in claiming a prize, please notify us as soon as possible so we can pick another winner and notify them. You will remain in the drawing lists automatically each month you are active.
What does "active member" mean?
Active status means your membership dues are up to date, you are not expired and your membership is not cancelled. If you are expired or cancelled, you can still enter but you must do so manually each month as described in the official rules.
Do I have to post in the forum (The Pit) to be considered active?
No. Forum participation is voluntary and has zero effect on your chances of being drawn as a monthly winner, you only need to be in active status to be entered automatically each month.
Do I have to log in to be considered active?
No. Logging in is not required to be selected as a winner. Keeping your annual dues paid is all that is required to be considered active and get automatic entry each month. Claiming your prize, however, yes.
Do I have to log in to claim my prize if I'm selected as a winner?
Yes. Each winner MUST log in and make a post in that month's announcement topic notifying us of their choice publicly in order to claim. If this is not done within the posted 5 day cutoff period for each winner, that winner will forfeit and a new winner will be selected and this is non-reversible. If you are reading this then you likely know how to log in, but just in case read through the other topics in our Help channel here for info on how to log in and make a post.
If I win, am I able to win again later?
Maybe. Grand winners cannot win again for a period of 10 years. Second, Third, and Fourth Prize winners cannot win the same prize again for 10 years, but are eligible to win a different prize again the very next month, should fortune shine on you that way. So it is possible for someone to win all 4 prizes, and it is possible to do that 4 months in a row. In January 2021 the Second Prize winner won the Grand Prize the very next month, so we know it is possible!
Do I have to live in the US to win?
Yes. You have to have a US address, this is US law, and since we are a US company we have to follow that law. For more reasons on precisely why, please see that part of the official rules.
Do I have to pay taxes on my prize?
That depends. If your prize value is $600 USD or higher, yes, it is the law. You will be sent a tax form to file with your taxes for that year that you won and accepted the prize. Currently only Grand Prize items qualify.
I'm a celebrity using a pseudonym here and I won, do I have to reveal who I am to everyone?
Cool. No, keep your pseudonym and your anonymity here. But the IRS needs to know who you are if your prize value is $600+, so you must fill out the paperwork however you do other business legally.
