I recently joined the forum to participate in design contests. While browsing through the threads I see that half the threads do not guarantee a winner. Most of the thread starters are gone. I believe that is what the forumers here call a "fake contest". If the admins were to set new rules for starting a contest, it will really benefit the community.

The first rule. All entries must be posted in the thread itself. No private entries. This will make the designers more competitive. The second rule, all prize money must be transferred to an admin's paypal account. This will guarantee a winner and there will not be any "fake" contests. I think the admin is well known and respected enough to be trusted with the prize money.

I hope the admins take this into consideration. Thanks!

Better than that would be an escrow system, but that'd be quite difficult, I reckon.

We are working on a new setup but it may be a few weeks before it is ready to go live.

All entries must be posted in the thread itself. No private entries. This will make the designers more competitive.

I don't have a problem with adding that to the rules.

The second rule, all prize money must be transferred to an admin's paypal account. This will guarantee a winner and there will not be any "fake" contests. I think the admin is well known and respected enough to be trusted with the prize money.

That would work but I don't think I have the time to do that. Maybe are new moderator of that forum angele803 does? I don't think that would be a good permant solution however. It's not very efficient.

After we get the new system setup I don't think we will have a whole lot contests where the thread starter does not pick a winner.

How about having the money be transferred to Webmaster-Talk.com immediately then redistributed to the winner?

I know I am interested in making a contest and definietly have the paypal to back it... but I need to hit 20 posts... appologies in advance for replying to everthing lol.

Great, i'm looking forward to it. I really want to take part in competitions but it is really a downer when you've work so hard to find out that there's no winner.

Things are slowly being sorted there and its great to see people with ideas as to how it could all work, I do agree with the no private entries as its not fair on those who participate, its underhanded, if they are not prepared to do what the rest of us are doing then they shouldn't bother lol. Paying admin would work except there are fees with paypal involved and also at my end for converting the currency so it would be less than offered, not a major except for smaller fees offered would mean you are left with very little, maybe minimum fees for design types would be a wee solution there.

The transaction fees won't be much of a problem it is only $0.00 USD-$3,000.00 USD 3.4% + $0.30 USD for $1-3000. If the contest starter is willing to increase what they send to the admin by 3.4% + 0.30 (USD) then it should be alright.