Newspaper journalist wants to interview you about your comping life

[fitzloy]

Hello! I'm a freelance journalist writing about comping for the Sydney Morning Herald and would like to talk to keen compers about their involvement in online comping sites.

The administrator of this site has given permission for me to post this message. If you are interested in talking to me further, please contact me by Private Message and I'll give you my phone & email address so you can get more information.

Id love to talk to any really keen members about how they started, what they have won, any strategies or tips they have, what's the down side, also the social networks they have found. I'd be interested in the impact on your families too - the positive and negative.

I've heard of holidays where groups of comping families have all won spots together - have any of you won a trip with other people you know through the site?

I'd also be interested in talking to someone who was comping for a long time but decided to stop doing it, or who is taking a break.  Maybe you are not entering so many comps any more but you like the social network on the site?

We would also like to find a family living in Sydney who would agree to be interviewed and photographed, ideally with kids at home.

Your favourite supermarket story would be great. My own 14 year old is completely embarrassed about having a mother at all and if she ever saw me filling in an entry form in a supermarket she'd "die" apparently - sound familiar to anyone?

Anyway, would love to hear from you. My deadline is Wednesday this week.


Thanks!   

Fran

[mininesslyn]

Thanks for the opportunity Fran,

I'm sure there are some very keen compers who would be willing to help you out with your story.....YAY ACC!!

[fitzloy]

Thanks Mini, I look forward to hearing all your stories!  ... - fran

[sylph]

My goodness, what a shy lot you are!

Fran still needs some willing members to come forward, so now's your chance to tell your story (and maybe get a little spotlight on ACC for a change). Any last minute takers who are willing to share their experiences, please contact Fran.  Good luck with it if you do.

[snuggle1]

fitzloy,

I have pm'd you.

Can I keep my secret identity?

snuggle1

[fitzloy]

Hi Snuggle and everyone,   Happy to keep people's stories anonymous however it is always a better and more believable story for those who read if it includes a real person's name and even better photo!

The story is for the 'Spectrum' section and will talk about entering competitions but more about the sense of community from online comping, and perhaps some things about the way really keen compers live - eg getting separate receipts when they go shopping, buying 30 bottles of Pepsi Max at once etc

I've already had a long chat by phone to someone from compingclub who has PMd me her contact details, she's told me some nice tales about her winnings and reasons for comping but she wishes to remain anonymous for some good reasons related to her personal life so I was hoping someone might like to go public!

(If anyone in Sydney or Melbourne would  be willing to be photographed, we would send a photographer out to your house or wherever you want to meet them.)   

I've also interviewed others for the story including Linda Smith who is the editor of That's Life!, and Andrew who owns another comping site, [edited]; and a comper named Sherry who has just released a new book about comping - so the story won't all be about one person.

Hope this gives you more information, happy to give you my contact phone and email if you PM me & can talk today (or even Friday if I can get an extension on the story) - I'm out most of Thursday.

best wishes,    Fran

[Buzz3]

C'mon guys there is quite a few of you who have won holidays,cars etc.Share your story be good promo for this site to

[danjali]

Hi

I am interested in participating. I been entering competition for around 5 years. I am 25 years old now.

DA BINH

[fitzloy]

Thanks everyone!  I've received some great responses including one kind comper who has agreed to be photographed, much appreciated all. 

hoping to keep writing till friday so would love to hear any other stories about comping -- eg has anyone won a holiday and found themselves travelling with a whole group of compers they already knew?!!

anyone lost sleep, turned into an addict and decided to cut back for a while?!

How about the community - anyone made a best friend that lives nearby??  do we have any comper romances??!!!

(i get the feeling that it's mostly women on the site - is that right?)

thanks again for those who have replied!

--- fran

[pickmepickme]

Hi,

I've only just started "comping" I'm not too addicted.. I have previously entered competitions but not as many as I do now..

My wins last week included the following;

4 x Double Movie Passes
Magazine Subscription and Gift
1x CD
and....
1 x Holiday for Family 4 to Seaworld Nara Resort flying Jetstar at a value of over $8000 !!!

I think thats it..

I live in Melbourne but would be more than happy to be photographed! I'm not too shy.

Good Luck with your story.

Cheree

[fitzloy]

Thanks so much Cheree!  if i need another photo I will be in touch but probably have enough info now. Congratulations on your big wins.

[Buzz3]

Hi,

I've only just started "comping" I'm not too addicted.. I have previously entered competitions but not as many as I do now..

My wins last week included the following;

4 x Double Movie Passes
Magazine Subscription and Gift
1x CD
and....
1 x Holiday for Family 4 to Seaworld Nara Resort flying Jetstar at a value of over $8000 !!!

I think thats it..

I live in Melbourne but would be more than happy to be photographed! I'm not too shy.

Good Luck with your story.

Cheree

Well Done Cheree that's a great start

[sandyh]

Does anyone know when this story will be published?

[fitzloy]

Hi Sandy,  it may not be published for a month or so - if at all!! it is for 'Spectrum' which is only published on Saturdays.  Stories that are not time-sensitive are sometimes held over if a more urgent story arrives.

[sylph]

Thanks for letting us know fitzloy, I guess we all wait with baited breath.

[BondiBelle]

I work weekends so miss out on the paper but would it be published online so it could be linked to?

[pickmepickme]

If anyone does happen to see it could they please keep it? I dont live in Sydney but if they do publish it I may be in it and would love to see it!

Thanks!!

[pickmepickme]

So does anyone get the SMH and read the "specrum" section?

[Bones52]

Yep me but haven't noticed the article yet, will let you know as soon as I see it.

[pickmepickme]

Thankyou!! I've looked online but cant find anything..

[pickmepickme]

Does anyone know if this story ended up being published.. WOuld have loved to have seen a copy if it was.

Thanks

[fitzloy]

the story was not published ...  has been held over but may not make it into the section .. this happens a lot with newspapers! thanks anyway to those who gave their time to answer questions.  best wishes,   fran