Let’s Make a Deal Prize FAQs

March 13, 2015

Aurora De Lucia giving a huge smile with Sharmine, the other contestant, on Let's Make a Deal
Credit: CBS/Freemantle

I have a page dedicated to The Price is Right FAQs, and I think almost all the answers are the same.

Also, I’m not an incredible resource, as the only thing I’ve been is zonked.

But, since some people have asked Let’s Make a Deal questions, I can give you some answers.

Can I take the cash value of a prize in lieu of the prize?

Nope. In our contestant information sheet, it states quite clearly, in all caps, “You may not request cash in lieu of your prize(s), or request substitutions.” However, since I’ve known seemingly a million people who’ve been on Let’s Make a Deal, I can tell you a couple of things I’ve heard secondhand.

Someone I know won a scooter. She went to the dealership, asking the dealership (not the show) if she could have money instead. My understanding is that they gave her half of what the scooter was worth. I’m led to believe this is not the norm, and usually you get your prize or nothing. But apparently, sometimes, maybe you can strike a deal with the vendor.

Also, word on the street is that often times you will end up getting cash in lieu of Apple products. I don’t know why that is – why it would be hard to get people Apple products. It might be something about not shipping them? We’d need to ask someone who’s won a suite of Apple products to know the real answer. (And if you have, please jump in!)

But those are the main stories I’ve heard when it comes to prize substitutions.

contestants and Wayne talking and laughing on Let's Make a Deal
Credit: CBS/Freemantle

(Sometimes something no longer exists by the time your show airs. Strange things can happen. But the point is, you don’t get to choose money. I guess sometimes money might choose you (in those various odd circumstances of Apple products, things not existing, etc.).

How do the taxes work?

The same way they did on Price. You pay federal and state taxes on the values of your prize(s), as they’ll be treated as income.

What I did not know until reading more of this paperwork, is that if you’re not a resident of California (and your prize is valued at over $1,500), Let’s Make a Deal will ask for advance payment of California state taxes. (If you like outside the U.S., they’ll do the same with federal.)

Does that mean if you don’t live in California that you not only pay your own state taxes, but California’s as well? I know I’m supposed to be here to answer questions, not ask them. But I live here, so I didn’t deal with that on The Price is Right (or here since I only won $100). And it doesn’t explicitly say in this paperwork. That would be rough! I hope if you pay California that’s good enough. You can’t get state taxed twice, can you? Does anyone know?

How do the trips work?

Way to rub in. Thanks.

I’m just kidding.

Aurora De Lucia with super big eyes looking at Wayne Brady on Let's Make a Deal
Credit: CBS/Freemantle

But as you all know, I missed out on the trip. However, it still talks about trips in this little packet we get from the show. It says the winner of the trip does indeed need to be one of the traveling parties. It says you have to book the trip within 90 days of your air date, and it must be taken within a year of the air date.

Yes there are blackout dates (but it doesn’t specify which ones). It sounds like you give 3 options of dates that would work for you, and the travel agent goes off that. If none of those work, you do a little back and forth. It also says you’re responsible for basically any random fees that comes up, and it lists many of them (e.g. baggage fees, meals, taxes, tips, trips to and from the airport, port charges, and more).

I wish I could tell you more. But as I said, I lost on the trip. So, this is all I got for ya! But if you have any other questions, let me know, and I’ll see if I can answer them. Thanks!

Want more on Let’s Make a Deal? Boom!

91 thoughts on “Let’s Make a Deal Prize FAQs”

  1. I can answer the state tax question for Minnesota residents. Such a person would have to file a California tax return and a Minnesota tax return. The Minnesota tax return will give the taxpayer a credit for the taxes paid to California. It is possible (maybe even probable) that the California taxes withheld are too high, so the taxpayer would get a refund of the overpayment. The credit offered on the Minnesota tax return is for the net California taxes actually paid (after the refund), so the California tax return would be completed first.

  2. I am always looking at trips to take. I often wonder how much they might cost. When I see the cost of a trip I will now know it is for 2.
    Thank-you.

    Leslie

    1. Just curious whatever happened with your situation??? It took a year for our show to air and we also won a trip but I also cannot find the paperwork. Please let me know what happened.

    1. Hey Anonymous! I think you’re supposed to get it within 3 months after the air date if I remember correctly? But I’m not an official source, of course, so I don’t really super know 😛

  3. Actually, they have to CONTACT you within 3 months of the airdate, Then you have to pay the California taxes. After that, they will arrange for you to get your prize. You can email them at prizedept@lmadtv.com or the Production Accountant, Erin [redacted], at [redacted]. She is super helpful! I’ve emailed her with questions several times since winning a new car on LMAD in 2014.

    1. Thanks for the info, Suzanne! That’s interesting. I guess it depends on the show and what you win and all that jazz. On Price is Right, they just gave me the car without me having to pay any taxes ahead of time (except I did have to pay sales tax on the car when I picked it up). On Let’s Make a Deal, they just sent me a check… but I did only win $100. haha

  4. We watch the show all the time and we notice that on some of the trip the description is “You’ll fly to……….”
    Not “You and a guest will fly……….” are those trips only for you (one person) and not a guest??
    Thanks,
    AL

      1. I don’t think it is for 2 people or they would say “you and a guest” like they ALWAYS do on TPIR. On LMAD they ALWAYS say “you”. I won a trip on TPIR and it was for two but they always specify that. I would hope that LMAD would include a guest because it would be sad to have a guest pay their own way but the fact that they NEVER say a guest makes me think it is just for one person and it has to be the person that won. I do know that you can’t transfer the trip to another person. I had to be one of those that went on the trip but I had to pay all taxes on the flight, hotel, car rental, etc. at the time of the trip.

        1. I don’t know for sure, but I find it so hard to believe a show would send someone on a trip all alone haha. I wish I’d won my trip and I could let you know from first hand experience! Oh well haha

    1. Hmmm Interesting question, Brian… That’s probably nearly impossible… If for no other reason, because I think in most episodes there are certain games where people *have* to win something. (For instance, there might be a three-person game where Wayne says, “Do you want the envelope or the box? Whatever you don’t take, I’ll give to her.” Well, a zonk might be in one… But a prize is in there somewhere. And either the original person picked it, or it’s going to the second person.

      Also, in the scenario in which literally no one won anything and every person on the show got zonked… the chance to play the big deal would probably go to the first person picked – as when there’s a tie, they go based on who went first. 🙂

    1. …I’m sorry that I don’t understand this comment… Eventually, you get real money, yes. But if Wayne hands you money during the show you don’t get to keep it right then and there… Does that answer the question? Sorry & thanks!

    1. If someone goes for the big deal and does not win it, then yes, they forfeit their prize… But, everyone who goes for the big deal gets *something*, because there are no zonks in the Big Deal round. So, you get the prize behind the door you choose.

  5. I to was a winner on TPIR, and game show eligible again. Think I will try to get on LMAD. Been on some other game in the past (press your luck and family feud). So I kind of know what they look for. Like TPIR, you have a minute or less to impress Stan. Don’t know what I said but was the second one to ” come on down “.

    Waa really impressed with your take on the process. And hopefully I will get chance to make a deal.

    1. Well I went to LMAD and from your infomation I was so well prepared. I was called down by Wayne, and had a great time. If there is a downside, it would be amount of time that has to go buy before you get your winnings. Oh well. Thank you for posting about LMAD.

  6. These answers are all super helpful!! I recently won on LMAD and had questions that you’ve answered for me. Thanks so much for your informative blog 🙂

    1. I don’t even think I realized there was a Let’s Make a Deal license plate? If they give one (like they do on The Price is Right) probably the way to try to get one would either be to go on the show and win, or hope with Ebay 🙂 Good luck!

      1. Unless you live outside of the USA.
        For Canadian winners, it is my understanding that if it’s appliance’s, furniture (non money) they will ship it to the nearest border crossing for you and it is up to you to arrange the shipping from there.

  7. Has anyone ever turned a prize back in to LMAD after they learned what their tax liability would be

    1. That is a great question I do not know the answer to! I know I wasn’t allowed to get my prize until my show aired… So, yeah, if for some reason it never aired… I… don’t know how I’d ever get the prize? That’d be a bummer. Wonder if that scenario has happened to someone

      1. I asked this question when I was getting my paperwork for my prize and the answer is no. If you show does not air, you do not win your prize. It rarely happens apparently but it does sometimes.

      2. FYI…LMAD and CBS have the right NOT to give you the prize won for a few reasons. One of them being no airing of the show. According to the contract winners sign, it is up to them.

  8. I think Let’s Make A Deal cheats when it comes to the Big Deal. The contestant chooses a door, the show only shows one of 2 of the doors that was not chosen. While they are showing that door they are moving the Big Deal to the other door that was not chosen.

    1. I really don’t think that happens. For one thing, there are very strict rules that game shows have to follow, legally. Also, the studio is quite small. It’s a whole ordeal for them to get the prizes back there in the first place. I think it would be nearly impossible for them to somehow switch, basically in plain view of the audience, without anyone noticing

      1. I watch the show almost every day. They show all 3 doors in fairly rapid order. Unless they are editing the footage before it is shown there is no way they could move prizes (especially a big prize like a car) around that fast. They don’t have to cheat the contestant only has a 1 in 3 chance of picking the right door for the BIG DEAL just like casinos in Vegas the odds favor the HOUSE.

  9. Well, lately I’ve noticed that when a LMAD contestant wins a trip, they say’ round trip fare included’… but nothing at all about hotel. So, do many trips NOT include a hotel stay? This sounds ridiculous I know but I have to wonder why on many, they do not say a 4-night stay in Ritz luxury hotel, etc. it is never mentioned where they are staying. Just destination.

  10. The only trips I can think of where they don’t mention a hotel or a “resort” is when someone wins a cruise. Of course then the ship is your hotel.

    1. My husband just won the big deal I. The 12-16-22 episode, it was everything in the big deal, bikes, scooters, furniture and a trip to phillipines a 5 day cruise. I said to my husband is it for two because it says you but it costs 13k for airfare alone and the actual cruise is only like 1k so I’m hoping I can join but we paid the Cali tax so far we did virtual since we live out of state. Waiting on them to contact us for travel information and shipping of prizes. I came here hoping for more answers if anyone has gone on a trip. ?.

      1. Oh how exciting! Years after this, I actually won a trip on Wheel of Fortune. And it was definitely for 2 people! I think they almost are! I hope you have an amazing time, assuming it all works out!

  11. Jae Myrick

    July 4, 2019

    My main concern is when a contestant on LMAD or The Price is Right meets with producers, are will they be asked or told to sign a form? Before leaving the show and going back home.

    1. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, but if I remember correctly, you sort of sign a general type form in line when you get there, and more intense forms once you’ve won something 🙂

  12. My husband and daughter are going to a taping tomorrow and I just read that winner’s can’t tell anyone what they won until the show airs? Is that correct? If my husband is the actual winner, is my daughter bound to secrecy too?

    1. I mean, people in the audience, to my knowledge, don’t sign anything telling people that they won’t say what happens. So, I think that’d really be up to your daughter…. Basically, it’s obviously not like these shows are gonna bug your phones or anything. I think the main issue is it can’t get out in any sort of public space if someone won something. Assuming someone trusts their spouse, I would bet many people secretly tell their spouse and then swear them to secrecy ’til the taping. Best of luck. Hope they won something!

  13. HEY is this thing still active? I wondered if you live in a state w/out sales tax like me, you don’t have to pay the sales tax in the state you live in if that’s the case right? Just the high CA tax is it? And in the old LMAD show w/Monte Hall, it says the price of the car including TAX and LICENSE is blank….blank… so does that mean they themselves pay the state tax on the car? And they pay for the license so you can drive it home I guess or pick it up from the dealer with the 1st year of license plates paid correct?

    1. I can’t say how it would’ve been done in Monte Hall days, or even necessarily how Let’s Make a Deal would be done in current days. I just know when I won a car on The Price is Right, it did not include tax. I had to pay something like $2,000 to drive it off the lot. And I don’t know how the state you live in is affected by that. Sorry and thanks for reading!

  14. How can I purchase a item that LMAD had as a prize. It was a wall hanging laundry bag. I searched the internet and can’t find one. Can we get the name of the manufacturer from a contact on the show.

  15. I just saw a contestant win a hot tub….if you have an apartment, nowhere to put it, can you sell your prizes that you receive from the show or they dont allow that?

    1. Hey! Thanks for commenting 🙂

      The rules when I was on were that you *could* sell anything you won, BUT it HAD to go in your name first and it HAD to be delivered to you. They couldn’t make rules for what you did with your own stuff after that, as it was now completely your property. So, you coooould sell a hot tub, but since it would be used, and if you had no place to put it when delivered… it might be easier to just forfeit it.

  16. I wonder what happens if no one wants to give up their prize for the Big Deal of the Day. I’ve seen Wayne go thru 4-5 people to find someone willing.

    1. To my knowledge, Zonks officially count as prizes, so if somehow they made it through everyone who won something worth real money, I thiiiiiink they’d probably start asking the zonk people. And I would assume at some point, someone would say yes. Who wouldn’t give up nothing [technically $100] to play for the big deal? 🙂

    1. For the most part, you can pick and choose! I think if something is a *set* – for instance a whole new living room, you either take it or you don’t. But if you win say, cash and a car. You can choose to only take the cash 🙂

I'd love to hear from you! So whaddya say?