Mar
4
Closer to a Winner?
 HGTV President Jim Samples chooses the winner of HGTV Dream Home 2009 |
On March 3, the bigwigs at HGTV, with help from our friends at a local fulfillment house, gathered to choose one winner from more than 39 million HGTV Dream Home 2009 Giveaway entries we’ve received since January. Our Super Fan was on site to watch as the excitement unfolded and even had the opportunity to choose a runner-up. Keep your eyes peeled for the Super Fan’s in-depth winner-selection video in the next few days. For now, we are happy to share a few cute photos.
And, no, your eyes don’t deceive you — we did make the Super Fan jump into a bin filled with thousands of entry forms.
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thats looks soo fun,, i wish i was there to watch that.
Please be me please be me please be me. LOL
It looks like it was an exciting moment!…I’m greatful for even having the opportunity to know about the HGTV Dream Home and been able to enter the sweepstakes. Thank You HGTV for your kindness of giving us the hope to “DREAM BIG”!!!
God Bless You All!!!
Why is a runner-up chosen?
I have cleared my calendar and I am totally available on the 15th when HGTV shows up on my door step! Everyone will be invited for a house warming party.
I have a question…how do they choose between the mail in entries and the online entries?
Thank-you HGTV!! This has been so much fun DREAM BIG, STAY POSITIVE. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!! LOVE THE PICTURES.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH my dear Gail….PLEEEEEEASE take a look at what is in your hands….PLLLLLLLLLEASE tell me that you were able to choose the envelope that is in your right hand…I see just the corner of it…it looks like the bright green envelope that I submitted the middle of February on a trip up north & mailed it from Florence, Oregon…IS IT THE ONE?????
This is a great couple of photos…what a gala event & I am so happy that you, GAIL, were able to part-take in the festivities!!
PLEASE TELL ME THAT YOU HANDED THE GREEN ENVELOPE TO THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON…PLEEEEEEEEEASE!!!
You look absolutely smashing in that bin…what a GREAT picture!! We missed your beautiful face & smile!!!
do you think all the emails are in that roll around bin..?
Following Lindsey’s post, how does a company or sweepstakes facility choose a winner from email entries? Is there a master list that is scrolled and a person just stops it somewhere and there’s the winner? And also curious about the email vs snail mail selection?
Also how was the snail mail even stored and sorted to end up with a tiny little container we are seeing in the picture or is that container just for show and the picking had all ready been done?
With a commentator here reading posts we may learn how this is done.
They used the bin approach meaning they had to print off the online entries so you would think those would all look the same and Gail could possibly tell the difference? Which would she choose…? It says they received 39 million plus but Gail jumped into only a bin of thousands, did they have a pre-selection?
It does look like a fun event but not nearly as fun as the 15th!
It looks like everyone had a lot of fun.
.. Why do they have so many different bins of entries? You did pick mine right? Just fly here and rent some cars other wise it will take you three days on the ferry to get here.. no roads in or out.. you need to get here in time so we can have the video ready for the 15th!
HAHA
I wonder who won..
to a previous poster – They pick a runner up incase the first one declines or hgtv decides not to let them win.. it states in the rules that they have a right to do a back ground check and if the winner might dirty the reputation of hgtv they will be disqualified. So I hope everyone has been gooooooood!
Gail, It looks like you had a wonderful time.
I’m so glad they brought you in for the event!
Dreamers, Its officially BOLO time!
It looks like all the containers are numbered, so maybe one envelope (the green one) is picked to go into that small hopper we see in the first photo! And, maybe they pick a certain number of emailed entries by computer scrolling and stopping on a certain amount of names that are then added to the hopper!! All random names picked are then put in the hopper for the last spin & pick!! I’m just speculating, but why else would there be such a small spinning hopper??? Thank goodness they did not spin our Gail!!!
Wow how exciting for you Gail. That’s a lot of entries! I guess they didn’t even bother opening the envelopes, so much for my idea of brightly colored entry cards, I should have saved that for the envelope. I can’t wait to here all about the selection and see the video’s. I’ll be looking over my shoulder for the next week and hoping for a knock on the door or phone call.
i had read somewhere can’t remember where but sweepstakes that are entered via online and also mail-in entries. Assign a number to each online entry and then on all the mail in entries they are assigned a bin number as they arrive and then a number within the bin. i believe each entry then is assigned a number and then the numbers are placed into the rollbin you see the main guy pull the winner out of. there’ probably is a little more to the bin selection that i don’t know about but from teh picture above it looks like they did assign a number to each bin of mail entries and i’m sure they somehow computerized a numbering system to the online entries etc… hopefully our supper fan gail can give us more details on the whole process…How exciting!!!!!
I meant to add, “that at least one envelope is picked from each of the numbered bins to go into the smalled spinner?”
lol Marie Miller – I think you’re seeing green before it’s hatched!
But color does help with this type of selection.
NLeslie: I think your ideas have been more eloquently stated than mine…sounds good!!!
It looks like the man in the first photo is holding up something really really really tiny.. maybe the computer system numbered all the entries so they could print them all out and pick one out of the millions?
My fiance asked what I was going to do when it wasn’t me who won.. *sigh* I hate doses of reality.. I am preggos and told him I would cry lol I cry over everything else why not this too?
oh and another question… from the description up above that was posted they said that on March 3rd they selected the winner from entries received since MID DECEMBER!…I didn’t think entries started till January 1st!!???????
Lynn: You’re probably right…but, do you see the orange one also…down to the right of Gail? That could be mine as well…I don’t generally see “green” until it’s hatched, but the whole idea at HGTV is to DREAM BIG!! And, I’ve been doing that the whole past year…I am so ready!!!!!
This is great I,am so EXICITED to see WHO WON!!HGTV 2009 DREAM HOME!!Goog LUCK Everyone!!
Thanks for answering why they pick a runner up. I know there are sweepstakes out there that no matter who wins they have to transfer the money to them, ie: the gentleman who won a $500,000 sweepstakes who was a convicted sex offender where the proceeds from the sweepstakes entries are used to help victims of sexual offenses. The company had no choice but to give him the money. Hopefully they are adding clauses such as HGTV has for future use.
There should be rules that disqualify a person if they will not be a good match for the product they are promoting. It is probably good to have a runner-up in most contests in case of this happening or a death, etc.
Also nice to hear how the choosing is done with emails and snail mails. Sounds very complicated and glad I don’t have to figure it out.
collegemom- Are you talking about the one in Alaska? Because that just happened here.. oh that made me angry. I understand everyone has a right to purchase a ticket, but cmon! I thought it was hillarious when he got beat up a few days later! I am sorry but I have no sympathy for people like that! They deserve everything bad that can happen to them. Back to happier things though…
I can see out my window while on the computer and I keep hoping to see a line of cars that just doesnt fit here so I can get a little heads up before the cameras! hahaha- I better go take my shower lol!
DO they notify the winner ahead of time or does the winner first find out when the world finds out? That would be such a wonderful prize.
I see several large bins full of mail-in entries with numbers from one to eight it looks like. Gail is standing in one of them. That would explain a poster’s question about the millions of entries. They must have pulled one or more from each of those bins to go in the spinner. Then, there must have been another drawing of online entries on small pieces of paper. I don’t understand why the process was not explained in this blog. What’s the big secret? It’s over now. If that is indeed the final winner in the man’t hand, then I would assume that it was an online entry that won. At least it does appear to be a totally random pick, done the old-fashioned way! How would they be able to do a background check without your vital statistics (Social Security number, date of birth, etc), which was not required information on the entry forms? If you’ve ever done background checks, which I have, you’d need more information. This leads me to believe that they would have to contact the potential winner(s) by phone, mail or email to get that additional information and then run the background check to qualify/disqualify you. So if you aren’t contacted in the next few days, you can bet that you’re not “the one”. Obviously, the ambush is known about ahead of time. Every time, the winner’s whole family has been at the location and they would have to know where you are at the time (home/work/restaurant) and have pre-qualified you, plus you have to agree to appear on television and I’m sure sign release forms. Last year’s winner had her door open and her whole family sitting in her living room already, and no wonder she acted so underwhelmed. The realities of how complicated her life had suddenly become had hit her. Winning a large prize can be a blessing and a nightmare all rolled up into one. It’s only how smart you are with it that makes it a positive outcome. And if you make the best of it and give back for your blessing as well. That’s the way the Universe works – you musn’t get greedy and act foolishly with your windfall. You can read many horror stories of lottery winners of the past. So, in closing, if you are the lucky winner, please be wise and kind and realize that you have an opportunity to do good for your family and others, if you have the right attitude. Good luck to all!
FANTASTIC!!! hope it’s me!
I have been lurking on here and entered every day via online and mail in. I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed reading about everyone’s enthusiasm for winning this beautiful home. I am right there with you all! Your posts have made me laugh and cry. Thank you all for your endless supply of questions and comments. I have enjoyed reading here every day! Good Luck to everyone!
I wish I would have known how they do the selection ahead of time. I printed out a photo per day of a different room in the Dream Home and collaged myself in it. I thought that would get their attention! Alas, it appears they do not open the envelops. So, the stradegy of bright envelops seems the way to go next time.
I got butterflies when I saw this…I can’t wait to see if I win! I really hope it is me! Waiting is so hard…
i dont think gail was picking her winner from that bin i think she was just posing for a picture. She probably picked a number out of the spinner.
I HOPE ITS ME! I HOPE ITS ME!
What if they haven’t chosen the final winner? The rules state they reserve the right to select a group of finalists.
Perhaps they have chosen one finalist from each bin and one from the online entries. Next, they would fly this set of finalists out to the house for a final drawing, live on air.
Just a thought.
Fogieyogi, when you sent in the entry, I believe it states in the rules that you consent to an ambush if you send in an entry and you also had to give your DOB on the entries as well. I know in one of the videos for a winner, the reason the family was there was because HGTV told the family that the person was a runner up and they might come by to discuss or something like that and then they did the actual ambush instead. It’s so exciting to watch those videos. I had a crazy dream about winning last night, very odd dream. 39 million entries!!! It’s truly luck of the draw. Good luck all.
Thank you Lori for bringing the sunshine of hope back into my day! When I think about the technicalities or am told about them the dream starts to feel like its slipping away…. But I need to keep it alive for a few more days at least.
Mary, thank you so much for another (and speedy) post. You also got us off to another good start. It looks as if Gail really had fun. Gracious and wise Marie Miller, what a funny visualization you gave me of Gail being spun around in a wheel trying to grab entries.
Just think, bloggers, 39 million entries. Ok, let’s see, if I receive $1.00 from everyone who sent in an entry, that’s $39 million, but some of you sent multiple (and daily) entries, so I calculate that I would make at least $1 million. So, don’t forget that website: sendyourhardearnedbuckstoBrenda.com. I’ll be waiting.
On a serious note, Gail, can you answer Lindsey’s and Collegemom’s question about how the differentiation is made (if any) between the mail-in and online entries? NLeslie, I hope that was a typo, because the official entries did not start until January 1, 2009. I’m not sure what the mid-December information alludes to. Perhaps Gail or Mary can shed some light on this.
BTW, Collegemom, I was very interested in your post about the situation in which “the gentleman who won a $500,000 sweepstakes who was a convicted sex offender in a contest where the proceeds from the sweepstakes entries were used to help victims of sexual offenses. “ So….you see, how easy it is to get caught up on other things that have nothing to do with the original post?
It’s all in good fun and makes for interesting reading.
Fogieyogi. Good advice for the winner and for life’s blessings in general. Good luck and God’s blessing to each of us. Congratulations to the winner (I hope it’s me)and the dream is not over, yet.
I couldnt find the first article about him actually winning, but I found the one talking about how he was attacked. It mentions his win in it too.
http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/011409/sta_377249550.shtml
39 MIllion Entries the person who Won is Blessed thats a lot of entries, Forieyogi thank you for your words so true!! DREAM BIG Dreams Do Come True, Have to Believe in your self,and go after your Dreams. Good Luck To everyone!! DREAM BIG.
Don’t worry–if you don’t win, the Green Home entry starts soon, asnd it’s in sunny Florida!
When was the last time you saw a hopper, rollbin or whatever you want to call it. I guess if it’s not broken don’t fix it.
I still would like to know the process. Those bright or different envelopes do look tempting… good luck to all.
I’m so glad Gail was there. You take care climbing out of that.
How will we ever make it to the 15th?
I hope CBCoop is doing well and checks in today.
Love the pics, thanks HGTV for everything!
Hi Everyone,
From what i have read about sweepstakes, entries are organized into bags or bins, each numbered. Okay, so lets say there are 1000 bins, just for examples sake. They would put numbers 1-1000 into a pot and draw a number. Then, whichever number is drawn is the bin that they draw the winner from. So if bin 7 was drawn, they would pull the winner from this bin. Again, just speculation.
Wishing everyone well!
Ashley L.
It looks like the guy in the first photo is either holding or possibly do I dare say an orange envelope? What does it look like to you Marie Miller?
DBCoop – to the typo club for me
Ashley L your explanation about the different bins, seems to make a lot of sense. Samantha, thanks for the link. I read the article. I hope this guy is serious about turning his life around.
Hey DBCoop, hope you had a safe and comfortable landing.
Uh, oh, Marie Miller, if we are to go by Mary’s post, the big wigs at HGTV will select the WINNER and Gail will help select the RUNNER-UP. So, if that green envelope in GAIL’s hands is yours…
How could they include entries from mid-December if it clearly stated that the online entries did not begin until January first? Am I missing something?
Has anyone been contacted yet!!! Hints please!
What a great gift HGTV has given all of you bloggers. Look at the new friends you’ve made during the process.
Enjoy these last few days and good luck to all of you!!
diri
Oh PLEASEEEEEEEEEE let it be me. I had a horrible day yesterday and it would be all worth it to find out that I actually won the Dream Home… or Powerball last night so I can buy my own Dream Home
.
Still trapped in my cubicle in not so sunny today Southern California day dreaming about whatelse??? The DREAM HOME!!!!
~~Delise
Good luck, all the best, and God bless to everyone.
The DH09 excitement intensifies; a warehouse full of envelopes and a good old-fashioned squirrel cage, nothing but pure excitement.
Fogieyogi, I enjoyed your posting, the wisdom of your words transcend all faiths to a universal truth about the power of a positive attitude.
Hey, wait I hear the FedEx truck outside….um, he did not stop for me – oh rats. I guess today is not the day to sign my release forms.
It is and was great fun DREAMING BIG along with each you – keep on DREAMING BIG!
Ok, they changed it to “entries received since January” so it must have just been a typo!! Thank God!!! LOL