The majority of the contests I have are not ‘mine’ but some very kind author who I have badgered into giving books away.
I really LOVE to have contests. I think they are fun. The reason I have authors ‘guest blog’ is because I read them. Or I am excited about their books. So in turn I love for them to offer up books because that is the best way for you to read them or get excited to read them.
At least that is how it works out in my mind… which I admit is a scary place. Generally the contests are easy. Something along the lines or post on this day. Or in this thread kind of thing.
I don’t think I have ever had a limit on the number of times you can enter. The winners are most often found me emailing said author and saying give me a number between such and such. Or asking my lil sis for one. Or whoever I might be chatting with at that moment.
Deeply scientific shit going on here….
I never thought to check IP’s. Cuz you can enter as many times as you want. But what happens when you are faced with multiple winners. And hey what happens when they turn out to be roommates.
Well me being me, searched the IP. I came back with all the names matching that IP and then googled all together. And that came back with pages of contest posts. Many posts one after the other with no indication the people knew each other, lived together or were family.
When I questioned it I was told four different people use the same computer, and often enter each other into contests.
My knee jerk reaction is to not believe and decide that wouldn’t happen. I could make a rule saying only one winner per IP and per household. Then I stopped to give it some thought….
My mother and my sister both use my computer because my connection is faster. Of course my sister is 13 and my mother wouldn’t enter contests for books. And if either did, the address would be different.
Then I think well there really COULD be roommates that both read romance, never mention each other or post on the others blog. They COULD have two friends that don’t own their own computer and use the one they use. They could enter a lot of contests. And that seems unfair to say they couldn’t win if that was how the dice rolled.
right? maybe? see this stuff starts to make my head hurt…
And is there ever a reason to enter someone else into a contest? I have posted about contests. I have emailed about contests. But I can’t say I have ever entered someone else into a contest online. Have you?
So my question is how many people here are using the same computer as someone else in their home and going to the same sites. Would it be unfair to say only one winner per home and per IP?
I plan on continuing to have contests. I think they are fun. I just want to make sure that everyone who wants to play is getting a fair shot. And that the author or publisher who is giving away the book isn’t getting screwed.
I will add to your dilemma. Sometimes when I am at the library I hop on and check out a few sites if I have time because the connection is faster than mine at home.
hmmm
Well if someone else were to access from that library the mailiing address would be different. So I guess really really saying what lauren said – one winner per household – covers it.
I think… LOL
We use a wireless router at home but the connection goes out through one broadband connection. So theoretically, if I were living with flatmates, we could be visiting similar sites and being logged on the same IP (and if we were connected at the same time, you couldn’t even distinguish using timestamps). But I do think it’s…if not weird then somewhat dodgy to enter friends into contests. Normally, if I see one that I know my friends would like, I e-mail them to let them know. I figure they should at least visit the site themselves – after all, contests are there to help publicise books and authors. And the thing is, if I were sharing a house with other people who read romances and we were close enough friends to be entering each other’s names in contests? It’s a pretty sure bet we’d be sharing books, too. So I don’t think the one winner per household condition is altogether unfair.