Seventeen magazine has historically offered various sweepstakes and freebies to its readers, providing opportunities to win a range of prizes from fashion accessories to consumer electronics. These promotions are governed by specific official rules that outline eligibility requirements, entry methods, prize details, and winner selection processes. Based on the provided documentation regarding past promotions, consumers can gain insight into how these offers are structured.
Sweepstakes Entry Procedures and Requirements
Participation in Seventeen magazine sweepstakes typically requires following precise instructions within designated time frames. For example, the June/July 2015 Freebies Sweepstakes allowed entries from May 12, 2015, through July 6, 2015. Entrants were required to visit seventeen.com/freebies and complete a form on a computer or wireless device. Specific technical requirements were noted, such as the need for a Smartphone device to participate via mobile phone. The documentation warned that users might be charged for visiting the mobile website depending on their service agreement and that data usage could incur additional fees depending on the carrier's plan.
For the April 2015 Daily Freebies and Grand Prize Sweepstakes, the rules specified a limit of one entry per person for each day of the sweepstakes. Multiple entries from the same person were grounds for disqualification. Entries were considered the property of the Sponsor and were not returned. The rules emphasized that proof of submission did not constitute proof of receipt. In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of an online entrant, the prize was to be awarded to the authorized account holder of the email address provided.
Eligibility Criteria and Geographic Restrictions
Eligibility for these promotions is strictly defined. The June/July 2015 Freebies Sweepstakes was open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who were 13 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees of Hearst Communications, Inc., and their respective affiliates were excluded. The Tide x Downy x Gain Scholarship Sweepstakes, while a separate promotion, illustrates similar strictures, being open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and D.C., 17 years of age or older, who were enrolled in or accepted to a U.S. university, college, or community college for an undergraduate degree.
For international participants, specific conditions applied. The June/July 2015 rules noted that if Canadians were eligible to enter as specified in the Eligibility paragraph, and if a Canadian Winner was selected, they would be required to correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question as a condition of receiving the prize.
Prize Structures and Approximate Retail Values
The prizes offered in Seventeen magazine sweepstakes varied in value and quantity. The June/July 2015 Freebies Sweepstakes offered a total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of $1,985. The prizes included: * Five (5) Winners receiving a Seventeen Fashion Collection at Sears outfit (top, shorts, jacket) with an ARV of $124. * Ten (10) Winners receiving Coco Loves Rome sunglasses with an ARV of $14. * Twenty-five (25) winners receiving a ZOYA nail polish trio with an ARV of $27. * Ten (10) Winners receiving Keely Smith Designs bracelets with an ARV of $49. * One (1) Winner receiving a year's supply of Breyers ice cream with an ARV of $60.
The rules stated that any difference between the stated ARV and the actual value of the prize would not be awarded in any form. The Sponsor determined the specific prize each Winner received at their sole discretion.
Winner Selection and Notification
Winners are generally selected via random drawing from among all eligible entries received. For the June/July 2015 sweepstakes, the drawing was conducted by Seventeen magazine, with decisions being final. The selection took place on or about July 14, 2015. The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the sweepstakes in the event they do not receive any eligible entries.
Winner notification typically occurs within a specific timeframe after the drawing. For the June/July 2015 promotion, winners were to be notified within one month of the last day of the sweepstakes via email, and/or at the Sponsor's discretion, via phone or postal mail. If a winner does not respond within the specified timeframe, the prize may be forfeited. Additionally, for certain promotions, winners may be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability/Publicity Release within a specified period.
How to Request Winner Names
Consumers interested in verifying the results of these sweepstakes or obtaining a list of winners can do so by sending a written request. For the April 2015 Daily Freebies and Grand Prize Sweepstakes, requests for the name(s) of the Winner(s) could be sent via a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to Seventeen magazine, floor 35, Daily Sweepstakes Winners' List, Hearst Communications, Inc., 300 West 57th Street NY, NY 10019. This request had to be received within two (2) months from the Winner notification date specified in the rules.
Conclusion
Seventeen magazine sweepstakes offer substantial prizes to eligible U.S. consumers, contingent upon adherence to strict entry protocols and eligibility requirements. The official rules serve as the binding contract for these promotions, detailing everything from entry limitations and technical requirements to the specific values of prizes and the mathematical testing required for Canadian winners. Prospective entrants should always review the most current official rules at seventeen.com/sweepstakes/rules for the latest information on active promotions.