Competitions - Are they a joke?

[candidrachel]

Do some companies run competitions just to get free photos? I entered one recently and when I heard back by letter it said something to the effect of "Thank you for entering our competition recently.After much deliberation it was decided that no single photo quite fit the bill but as one of our shortlisted finalists you have been awarded a membership for x that gives you money off vouchers and free admissions to craft fairs etc". There was a free recipe book and other coupons included.

My husband says its a joke and its just a way for them to get free photos.

What do you think

[Nicole]

It depends, which is why reading the Terms and Conditions (no matter how boring and long they are) is important. The other thing to consider is that often times in those T&C's there is nothing the obliges them to pick a winner and they're allowed to terminate the contest at any time (at least that's true in sectors other than photography).

I woudn't say that the competition is just a joke and a way for them to get photos without reading the T&C though because I don't know if they say that they get the rights to use all photos submitted until the world ends or if they say that they will only use the winning photo, etc.

But definitely read the T&Cs for contests, decide if what they get in return for what you're giving is ok with you, and just keep an eye out for things that seem dodgy.

[PnwGuy]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

...you have been awarded a membership for x that gives you money off vouchers and free admissions to craft fairs etc". There was a free recipe book and other coupons included.

My husband says its a joke and its just a way for them to get free photos.

What do you think

It sounds like they were more interested in marketing services and products to everyone than simply trying to collect free photos. Or they could have been trying to do both.