Surveys

I get e-mails about surveys all the time. Some of which are through LinkedIn or TechSay. These surveys promise a reward for completing the survey. If I have time, I complete these surveys with care. I figure it is a business transaction and I should earn by reward by being thoughtful in my answers. I, of course, answer truthfully and on many occasions am told I don't fit the target pool they are researching. Overall, this is a win for both parties. They get data. I get a gift card or other reward.

However, some of the e-mails tell me I may win a thumb drive (or some cash or a widget) if I complete the survey and I am one of the first 250 people to respond. Unless I am unemployed and desperate for any sort of "income," I will never complete one of the surveys. A million people could have gotten that e-mail before I did. I think it is even more ludicrous when I get one of these "first 250" through the postal service.