Mystery Boxes and Sweepstakes

08-29-2025

Adventures that shaped my passions.

If I had to summarize my life, it would be about the thrill of the hunt and giving back. I have always loved a good adventure, provided I could stay safe and comfortable. Early hobbies included metal detecting and, later, gold panning, using a sluice box, and highbanking. The only activity I never tried was using an underwater dredge.

The allure of mystery boxes.

Next, after finding eBay, I began exploring the mystery box category. One eBay seller’s listing caught my attention with the perfect description, and it had 100% positive feedback. What I received was not only an exceptional but also a genuine and unexpected friendship with a man named Jeffrey Feinman. He was a retired executive who had sold his multinational advertising and sweepstakes management firm. Out of boredom, he began selling treasures online. I purchased several packages, and we soon connected through hours of phone conversations. When I planned a New York trip, he invited me to visit.

Concerns from both sides.

My wife’s first thought was that I might be meeting a dangerous stranger. His wife had similar concerns about me. Despite their fears, I used skip tracing tools to confirm everything about him, including his home at United Nations Plaza.

A secure New York address.

The building had never been broken into. Security was exceptional, with a doorman, lobby staff, elevator personnel, and strict guest lists. Knowing this, I assured my wife the visit was perfectly safe. Once we met in person, the friendship only grew stronger.

Travels and sweepstakes ventures.

We traveled together to Las Vegas, seeking more casino comps, and enjoyed several cruises together. Our shared passion for promotions led us to co-author The Expert Guide to Winning Sweepstakes in 2017. Sadly, Jeffrey passed away in February of this year.

Stepping away from the game.

Over the years, I attended sweepstakes conventions, filled countless 3×5 cards, and spent heavily on postage. Eventually, I decided to stop. Still, I won a $10,000 prize and even a car through a raffle.  The raffle had a low ticket price, and I calculated my odds of winning were excellent. I won, and my 16-year-old nephew needed a car. So the thrill of the hunt proved yet again to be worth the effort, and overall it was a true win/win, marking the perfect ending to my chapter on Mystery Boxes and Sweepstakes.

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