I have been recently doing a bit of research on the laws behind contests in Canada.  After pages of “legalise”, I came across a question and answer section designed for Joe Public.  In layman’s terms, it outlined the difference between an adequate and inadequate skill test.  According to the Competition Bureau of Canada:

The following have been found to be adequate skill tests:

• estimating the time it would take a barrel to travel a specified distance down a river
• estimating attendances at a fair and the future temperatures of cities
• estimating the number of beans in a jar
• estimating the number of votes to be cast in an upcoming election
• a four-step mathematical question

Okay, those seem reasonable.  Now for the absolutely hilarious inadequate skill tests.

The following are examples of skill tests found (in other words, these may have been required by contestants at one point in time) to be inadequate:

• shooting a turkey at 50 yards
• a potato peeling contest
• memorizing answers given to contestants earlier on
• estimating how many passengers would be carried on a railway at a future date

I’m trying to think of the last time a retailer had a contest winner shoot a turkey at 50 yards to redeem their prize!  Hmmm…perhaps this document needs to be updated.

Click here for more information on contests in Canada.  You will either learn something or it will help you overcome insomnia 😀

Here is your roundup of deals in clothes and shoe stores this weekend:

• Abercrombie & Fitch 25% off your purchase Online + $5 shipping(Oct 26 to 29)
• Banana Republic Save up to 40% on select styles(exp Oct 28)
• Bootlegger 50% off select Outerwear(Oct 26 & 27)
• Buffalo Jeans 20% off regular & 50% off Sale items(Oct 26 to 28)
• Club Monaco Spend $150 And Get 25% Off Your Entire Purchase Online(exp Oct 28)
• Gap Extra 40% off sale styles in-stores only(exp Oct 28)
• H&M select styles Knitwear Buy 1 & Get 1 Free
• Hollister 25% off your purchase Online + $5 Shipping(Oct 26 to 29)
• Jacob 30% off last ticketed price(exp Oct 27)
• Le Chateau $5 off any purchase in-store(exp Oct 31)
• Naturalizer Celebrates 85yrs – Save $20, $30, $40 or $85 with $100 purchase In-Store
• Nine West Friends & Family Event 30% off entire purchase in-store(Oct 26 to 28)
• Northern Reflections 40% off regular priced items(Oct 27th)
• Payless ShoeSource Friends and Family Coupon! 3 Days Only!
• Please Mum Tops starting from $2.99(exp Oct 29)
• Ricki’s Sweaters & Cardigans 40% off Original ticketed price(exp Oct 28th)
• Roots Mid-Season Sale save up to 30%
• Suzy Shier Get it while it lasts sale – Select items $5, $10 and $15
• Urban Planet Spooktacular Sale Save up to 50%
• Zellers (ON) – Olympic red mitts $5.00 – Lowest price

Nine West have a friends and family sale this weekend.  Save 30% on your entire purchase when you present this coupon when checking out in-store only.  Please note that you will be required to provide your name and phone number.   They say they will not share this information but do not say how they will use it.

Shop at Payless ShoeSource this weekend and save 30% on your entire purchase with this printable coupon.

The coupon specifies that it cannot be combined with other offers or promotions, this likely means any BOGO offers.  The coupon expires at close of store on Sunday 28th October

From October 26th to October 28th, save $20 on a purchase of $50 or more from the Body Shop Canada when you shop online. Enter promo code AUTMUMN20 at checkout. Offer cannot be combined with any other coupons but is compatible with the Love Your Body and SPC discount. Click here to shop The Body Shop Canada online.

Safeway Canada is offering you a Starbucks Grande Espresso Beverage for only $2 after 2PM!  You must have a Safeway Club Card to redeem this offer.  Valid from October 26-31, 2012.

From now until October 28th, 2012, get free shipping with any online order from American Eagle Canada. There is no purchase minimum. Click here to shop!

Buffalo Canada is offering 20% off all regular price merchandise and 50% off already reduced merchandise during their Customer Appreciation Days.  Excludes all regular priced jeans and sale denim.  Valid from October 26-28, 2012.

Click here to check out the Buffalo Canada website.

Printable coupons are now available through the Melt Magazine website. Click here to print your coupon to save .75 on Dofino Havarti, and here to save .75 on the purchase of any Tre Stelle cheese. Coupons expire June 30 2013.

Groupon is offering a special coupon deal on Suzy Shier merchandise – pay $15 for $30 worth of women’s apparel and accessories.

Fine print: limit 3 per person, may buy multiple as gifts. Limit 1 per visit. Not valid until 24hrs after purchase. Valid in-store only. Not valid for sale items. Must use promotional value in 1 visit. No cash back. Not valid online, at Suzy Shier outlets, or at www.suzyshier.ca. Not valid towards the purchase of gift cards or Prestige Cards. Not valid in conjunction with Suzy Shier Prestige Card discounts, SPC discounts, employee discounts, or any other promotional offers. Cannot be applied to past purchases. Participating locations are: Rideau Centre – Ottawa, St. Laurent Shopping Centre – Ottawa and Cornwall Square – Cornwall.

You have till tomorrow Oct 27th to purchase this coupon. Go to GROUPON to purchase.

Get $5 back when you spend $10 on Airwick Freshmatic, Scented Oil, or Candles with this mail in rebate. Limit 1 $5 refund per individual, family, or household. Complete the Official Online Refund Form and attach the original dated receipt with the purchase prices circled, and the UPCs hand written on the receipt. Click here for the Official Mail in Refund Form.

Visit the Lancome Canada Facebook page to claim your offer for a free 10 day supply of your choice of Lancome foundation. Once you have claimed the offer, you will receive an email that you must show by phone, or print and take to the Bay or Sears. Offer is only valid the day it is claimed.

Until October 28th, save 40% on all sweaters and cardigans from Ricki’s Canada, both in store and online. Offer excludes clearance items and cannot be combined with any other offer. Click here to shop Ricki’s Canada online.

Save $10 on your next purchase of $50 or more at The Bay Canada, in store only, when you sign up for The Bay Mobile. Text SAVE to 22322 (or sign up online to receive texts) and you will receive a savings code valid for two days. One coupon and redemption per opt-in, per customer. Click here to sign up.

Save 20% on any regular priced transaction, in store, at Pier 1 Imports Canada with this printable coupon. Offer expires October 28th 2012. Click here to print your coupon.