HubLove - Official Contest Thread

1. STAFF

   HubPagesposted 16 years ago

   Discussion here for the HubLove Contest, which launches today.
   
   HubLove Contest

   replyreport
2. 62

   darksideposted 16 years ago

   Looks fan-hubbing-tastic!
   
   A shame I'm in Australia,

   replyreport
3. 85

   Zsuzsy Beeposted 16 years ago

   I agree with you Darkside! I'm in Canada so I'm out too. How about a hearbroken crying smiley.
   Zs

   replyreport
4. 72

   Inspirepubposted 16 years ago

   I'm in Australia, too.
   
   We should make our own contest ...
   
   Jenny

   replyreport
5. 61

   Betty Jo Pettyposted 16 years ago

   Good luck to everyone on this one.  Nice prizes! bjp

   replyreport
6. 0

   Hovalisposted 16 years ago

   Darkside, I didn't realise you were from Oz, too. That makes three of us so far in this thread. Is that enough members for our own contest?

   replyreport
   1. 62

      darksideposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      We should make an Aussie Rollcall thread.
      
      Not for the purposes of a competition. But to see whereabouts we are on the map.

      replyreport
7. 86

   Marisa Wrightposted 16 years ago

   Make that four!

   replyreport
8. 74

   Kenny Wordsmithposted 16 years ago

   Ask Frank, Mr Marmalade.

   replyreport
9. 58

   Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

   Well, I'm not from the US either so.....

   replyreport
10. 74

    Lissieposted 16 years ago

    Well I live in Perth, Australia at the moment and have a car, some houses, a storage unit in New Zealand. I have a UK and NZ passport and file tax returns in Australia and NZ - not really sure where I reside!  I can't work you why they can't extend the contest to anyone -with the understanding that we'd have to pay for the extra postage - I know Jason blamed the lawyers - but what's the difference where you live?

    replyreport
11. 72

    Inspirepubposted 16 years ago

    Erm, as someone who has had to get permits for contests in Australia I can attest that governments surely do screw them up.
    
    You need a lotteries permit in NSW, Vic and the Northern Territory. You don't need a permit in Queensland, but the prize can't be in cash, it has to be in gold bars.
    
    You can't require South Australians to attach proof of purchase if you are doing a trade promotion, you must allow them to enter with a hand-drawn facsimile of the product packaging or bar code if they choose to do so.
    
    When you go international, you start to run into problems with taxes, too. At least the income tax rules are consistent in Australia - winnings aren't taxed, unless the ATO decides you are making a career out of winning competitions.
    
    But in the US I know that lottery winnings are taxed as income, and God knows what other legal minefields there are.
    
    I can understand not wanting to do the work involved in having an international contestant win a competition.

    replyreport
12. 73

    bloggerdollarposted 16 years ago

    I was very excited about the contest but not a U.S. resident either. Whatever I will watch the contest.

    replyreport
13. 58

    Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

    OK - I have to say, I am a little miffed that I am not able to take part in this either.
    
    An explanation please.
    
    If hubpages can pay people that are outside the US when they write a flagship hub, why can't they send competition prize also?
    
    Happy Valentine's day

    replyreport
14. 85

    gamergirlposted 16 years ago

    Woo!! I'm in the U.S. 
    
    Can it be noon now?

    replyreport
    1. 58

       Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Go on... rub it in.
       

       replyreport
15. 64

    Bob Ewingposted 16 years ago

    In Canada so can't play, so sad.

    replyreport
16. 59

    Prince Maakposted 16 years ago

    Good contest, but not for everyone. Very bad

    replyreport
17. 74

    Lissieposted 16 years ago

    I'm getting curious as to what % of all a) all hubbers and b) hubbers with a score >90 are resident in the USA!  And yes I agree Mark - they are happy to pay me cash for Flagship hubs so what's the difference - IF I was making a living on the internet I would have to declare those earnings and pay NZ tax on them - potentially much more complex than awarding a prize in goods I would have thought? I know they can give me the prize in cash paid to my paypal a/c in lieu :-)

    replyreport
18. 62

    C.M. Vanderlindenposted 16 years ago

    Question for Jason or Paul---will there be a badge/widget available for us to put on our blogs (with our referral code, preferably  ) to advertise the contest?

    replyreport
    1. 62

       C.M. Vanderlindenposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Nevermind----should have checked my e-mail first

       replyreport
19. 57

    Gillie2tatposted 16 years ago

    I'm another one who does not live in the USA.
    
    However I rather think it's to do with different countries and states' rules around competition law - you have to get permission from each country before that country can participate.
    
    Ridiculous I know and such a shame.

    replyreport
    1. 62

       C.M. Vanderlindenposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       I'm pretty sure that's exactly what it is----Jason said so in an earlier  thread.

       replyreport
20. 64

    stubbsposted 16 years ago

    so disapointed this US only

    replyreport
21. 61

    Jason Menayanposted 16 years ago

    The reason that the HubLove contest is restricted to US residents only is completely due to legal reasons.
    
    Jenny/inspirepub's post illustrates the legal quagmire you run into by trying to comply with each and every country/state/municipality's rules regarding contests.
    
    Flagship Hubs are for pay; the rules are not the same as they are for contests/sweepstakes. They are very obviously far simpler. This is an issue you'll have to take up with the idiot lawmakers around the world that set up the labyrinthine rules regarding contest winner determination, prize awarding, etc.
    
    We truly wish we could extend this to a worldwide audience, but we can't. The legal hurdles are too large, and we're a tiny company with limited resources.
    
    We hope you can support the spirit of the contest nonetheless, and possibly get new referrals for yourself now with the opportunity.

    replyreport
22. 58

    Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

    As far as I can tell - and I will be providing research - If it is clearly stated in the competition rules that the US' rules apply - those are the rules that apply. No other country has a say in the matter.
    
    Also, this competition costs no money to enter and many of the rules that would apply do not because of this.
    
    I am speaking here out of disappointment at being excluded rather than having any axe to grind

    replyreport
    1. 61

       Jason Menayanposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       I understand and agree with your reasoning but that's not the way that it works. We've been over this with a lawyer who specializes in contests and she was the one that told us about complying with all the jurisdictions' laws. If you are a winner in country X, then you must comply with country X's laws regarding contests, not the host country's.
       
       Believe me, I am disappointed, too. There is no reason we would want to exclude anyone from this. We are not a bunch of flag-waving nationalists.

       replyreport
       1. 58

          Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          All right - I'll go and sulk in a corner then.
          
          

          replyreport
       2. 77

          robie2posted 16 years agoin reply to this

          I think this is a great promotion that will benefit all of us in the long run and a terrific idea. Boost traffic,attract new hubbers, increase pageviews and $$$$--what's not to like? I'm planning on participating since I live in the USA--but( and here's the kicker)
          
          Hubpages is a global community and I feel bad that so many of the best  and most committed hubbers won't be able to  participate.  Since the problem is with awarding prizes to non USA residents, how about having a special parallel contest at the same time -- same contest, same rules, but no prizes. It would be open only to non USA residents with the understanding that the only prize would be an announcement of the winner on Hubpages? Would that be possible? For me the fun is as much in the participation as in the prizes. I don't expect to win--just would like to play and I bet many non-US based hubbers feel the same way.

          replyreport
23. 58

    Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

    robie2 - let's be clear here - I am disappointed that I am unable to enter to win the $5,000 prize - there is nothing to stop me entering and not accepting the prize

    replyreport
    1. 77

       robie2posted 16 years agoin reply to this

       oh gosh--I never thought of that--silly me.......ahhh well, so much for that suggestion < see me hunkering down to hub against staggering international competition>

       replyreport
24. 40

    mortimasposted 16 years ago

    Wow!!! My hubs are completely substandard compared to people like Mark Knowles, and many other commenters on this board.  But since it seems like I am the only U.S. resident here I will forward my shipping address for the prize.
    
    Hubpages, you need to find a loophole, because many of the greatest hubbers are excluded from this competition, Its like the olympic boycott, sure there was a winner but was the competition what it should have been.  I mean, cmon Jimmy the Jock is not in this?
    
    I will boycott this competition!!!!! (I guess if I had a chance, that would be significant. HA!)
    good luck to all!!!!
    mort

    replyreport
25. 85

    gamergirlposted 16 years ago

    Hey!  There are plenty of US hubbers.

    replyreport
26. 58

    Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

    There are loads of great US hubbers. It's just a shame we non-US hubbers are excluded.
    
    My money's on gamergirl - she's awesome.

    replyreport
27. 40

    mortimasposted 16 years ago

    There you all are!!!! There were no U.S. Comments, so I amusingly assumed!!
    Good luck!!!  Do you think that we as hubbers will award honorary championships to our non U.S. friends?

    replyreport
28. 62

    C.M. Vanderlindenposted 16 years ago

    I'm from the U.S.,  but I'm not going to be entering. I just think it will be fun to see how  this all plays out and what everyone comes up with

    replyreport
29. 85

    gamergirlposted 16 years ago

    Well, I know I'm super excited about this contest, to be honest.  There are an incredible amount of great hubbers, even though most of the ones I would be rooting for in this contest are from outside the U.S., there's nothing wrong with taking advantage of this huge contest to get content up which we all know is going to be seen by thousands of people!

    replyreport
30. 61

    Jason Menayanposted 16 years ago

    That's a great idea to have a contest without a material prize, although the prize is often what gets the publicity and press coverage.
    
    If HubLove is a success, we can do a no-prize competition afterwards which would allow us to open it up to everyone.
    
    BTW, JimmytheJock will be a judge this coming Sunday. And relache will be judging on Saturday... If you want to be a judge, please see this post. A couple of other Hubbers have expressed interest and we will be scheduling them in, as well.

    replyreport
    1. 73

       relacheposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Actually, I've just stepped down as a judge due to what I feel is unfair conditions suddenly announced by HubPages.

       replyreport
       1. 58

          Mark Knowlesposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          Care to elaborate ?

          replyreport
31. 88

    Patty Inglish, MSposted 16 years ago

    I did not realize I had so many Hubber Friends in other countries! Good people are truly everywhere.
    
    Well, the game will be fun, and I'm sorry the others of you cannot join.
    
    Best wishes around the world!

    replyreport
32. 68

    Stacie Naczelnikposted 16 years ago

    Hm...I'm still thinking about doing this contest.  But, it looks like a lot of the competition resides abroad...hee hee...
    
    Gamergirl, ready to take me on?
    
    Edited to say: Oh crap!  Patty's in the U.S.?  Her hubs are so fantastic, the rest of us don't stand a chance!

    replyreport
33. 85

    gamergirlposted 16 years ago

    Oh noooo!! Where's my puppy to distract Stacie?
    
    Edit:
    
    Good luck to everyone in the US, even though I think Patty is a surefire bet!

    replyreport
34. 0

    Abhinayaposted 16 years ago

    Good luck to US hubbers. .I would love to know who won what.

    replyreport
35. 87

    stephhicks68posted 16 years ago

    I'm in!  Gamergirl, Stacie and Patty.  Yikes.  Is there a consolation prize?

    replyreport
    1. 73

       relacheposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       The increased publicity, traffic and earnings you'll get from participating.

       replyreport
36. 82

    jimmythejockposted 16 years ago

    Although only open to Us Residents, I urge you all to take part, in the hub writing part of the competition, I did with Hubpages first comp and didn't need the prize because the topics chosen to write about attracted alot of readers and clicks it can still be worth while to enter even if not elligable.
    To all of the Us Hub Authors, i wish you the best of luck in the contest, and remember you don't have to win the prize to be a winner, the hubs you write will help your adsense grow.....jimmy

    replyreport
37. 85

    gamergirlposted 16 years ago

    Exactly, Jimmy!  Great advice. 

    replyreport
38. 62

    C.M. Vanderlindenposted 16 years ago

    Does anyone know....if you're judging can you still enter??

    replyreport
    1. 61

       Jason Menayanposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, absolutely. You're a judge for only day, and you earn 5 points (since you can't select one of your own Hubs as the winner). That's equivalent to the bonus given to the best-quality Hub of the day for days 1-20 of the contest.
       
       Days 21-30, the best-quality Hub earns 15 points, so we can understand if contenders at that point want to opt out of judging and shoot for winning the 15 point jackpot for best Hub.
       
       - Jason

       replyreport
       1. 62

          C.M. Vanderlindenposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks Jason!! Well, I'm in then! 

          replyreport
39. 85

    Zsuzsy Beeposted 16 years ago

    Best of luck guys...it will be fun to read extra special hubs...Zsuzsy

    replyreport
40. 66

    elisabeth reidposted 16 years ago

    Oh, this is gonna be fun. 
    
    
    
    Just over an hour 'til noon.

    replyreport
41. 85

    gamergirlposted 16 years ago

    22 minutes, by my count. ^.^

    replyreport
    1. 73

       relacheposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       You must have a clock running fast at your house.  If I go back 5 minutes to when you posted, and then come forward 22 minutes, it's still not noon Pacific Time.
       
       BTW, I'm posting at about 15 minutes before 11am Pacific time.

       replyreport
42. 85

    gamergirlposted 16 years ago

    I'm at work, actually, and apparently still not used to being on Eastern Time, after a year of living here.  ><  Sheesh.

    replyreport
43. 0

    Marye Audetposted 16 years ago

    So it is Pacific time? I didn't read that far. 
    
    This looks like it will be fun, lots of great competition.

    replyreport
44. 81

    LiamBeanposted 16 years ago

    I had no idea there were so many Cannukians here. Wow!
    
    Noon when? PST?

    replyreport
45. 73

    relacheposted 16 years ago

    Whether you are just curious about the contest, and especially if you are excitedly waiting for it to start, I whole-heartedly suggest you read EVERYTHING on the contest page.  The blue box at the bottom spells out all the rules and conditions quite clearly.

    replyreport
46. 85

    gamergirlposted 16 years ago

    Hey, I see what you did there! LOL
    
    Nice one relache.

    replyreport
47. 60

    tbartleposted 16 years ago

    I am so excited for this.  I'm new here, but I think I still stand a chance.  At least I hope I do. 
    
    Excited!

    replyreport
48. 73

    relacheposted 16 years ago

    Okay, you've got like three minutes until the contest starts now....

    replyreport
49. STAFF

    HubPagesposted 16 years ago

    Hey HubLovers!
    
    Today's first clue is up!
    
    Guess Day 1's Topic
    
    Ahh....JIMMY was FAST!

    replyreport
50. 60

    tbartleposted 16 years ago

    So, what happens if in the end, a non-US member has the most points?  Will the prize just be forfeited, or will you give it to the next available person?

    replyreport