Contests: Just a thought

[levelm]

Is there any way to have some sort of contest restrictions? Maybe contests requiring members to have a minimum post count or something? As soon as a contest is announced I see a slew of bogus accounts (users making numerous accounts) jump in that only have 1 to 4 posts just so they can give themselves an advantage. It's a bit unfair for us honest type folks but it is still better than nothing (which is why I was reluctant to complain). Just a thought, flame me if you must.

 

[Chrisy]

I like this idea. I see the same thing!

 

[ekz13]

only problem I see with that is that you will have (like we already do) a bunch of users with well over 1-2k in posts that have only been a member for a month or two, most of those are going to be just dump posts to get their numbers up.

but I agree, there has to be a way to filter out some of these "contest accounts"

 

[DenverRalphy]

Post count would just generate a bunch of spam I think. Besides which, I don't think the contests are just for current members, it's also effective to generate new members.

It would be more effective to be able to inhibit one person from having multiple accounts, but that's a tricky thing to do and not hard to get around if somebody were determined.

I'm more disgruntled at how many people enter a contest for something they would never have any use for (that is, other than selling the product should they win it). Many people enter every contest they see, regardless of the prize. I myself don't enter contests for Thunderbolt or Samsung accessories since I'm sporting a Dinc. But there's many who would/do.