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Life in the USA is a complete guide to American life for immigrants and Americans. All materials on this siteCopyright © Elliot Essman 2007. All rights reserved. Home Back Next
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Life in the USA Public Services II Consumer Issues
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Contests and Promotions
Contests and promotions are common in the United States. They are not lotteries (covered in Everyday Life in America, under Gambling). You can often enter contests sponsored by major consumer goods organizations by filling out entry blanks in supermarkets. You'll get contest forms combined with advertising in the mail from giant magazine companies. These contests are reputable, though the chance of winning usually is so small that it isn't worth spending the money on a stamp (you get better odds at a gambling casino or race track). Local schools, churches and civic organizations also have contests and raffles to raise money.
Some contests are deceptive. Aggressive sellers of vacation homes use contest order blanks
with photos of glamorous prizes just to get your name, address and telephone number. They
will follow with a sophisticated, high-pressure sales pitch. Contests or notifications that you
have "won a prize" are also used as the basis for individual swindles and confidence games.
Be careful with contests.
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