I dunno,I just never enter contests where I have to buy something to enter...always seems like so much more the let down and legally-you can't make that a requirement (is why Publishers Clearinghouse and others make it understood you don't have to buy to enter). << Publisher's Clearinghouse is a sweepstakes. A product purchase requirement is illegal for a sweepstakes (although you may be required to purchase the entry "ticket." such as for a lottery or other drawing type of sweepstakes). A purchase requirement (and/or an entry fee and/or many specific additional requirements) for a contest is completely legal.