A few months ago I received an unsolicited large envelope in the mail. I usually don’t open junk mail, it goes straight into the recycle bin. However, my Spidey senses were tingling and I opened it. Inside was an incredibly long survey and a five dollar bill. The letter made it seem like I was now obligated to fill out the survey because they sent me $5. The survey had questions about many things including my eating habits, internet usage, religion, and political leanings. I threw the survey away and put the money in my rainy day jar. It didn’t matter that they said it was anonymous, I don’t do things like that. It’s none of their business.
A few weeks later another letter came in the mail. This letter one once again made it seem like I was morally obligated to fill out the survey because they sent me money. Another copy of the survey was inside and a letter assurring my confidentiality. My name wouldn’t be associated with the data in any way.
I laughed a wry little laugh when I threw it in the recycle bin. If my name isn’t associated with the data, how did they know I hadn’t returned the survey? Can someone please explain that to me?
Anyways, if you get a large envelope in the mail from a survey company, be sure to open it before you throw it away. It just might have $5 in it.
Tags: $5, money, MYOB, spidey senses, survey
September 16th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Obligated, hell. It’s not like you asked for the $5 . . .
Bills last blog post..Just because you have one
September 16th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
My thoughts exactly. You didn’t hit yourself in the head trying to play the drum solo in that video did you?
ImPerceptibles last blog post..What’s My Sexual Style?
September 16th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
You should have saved the survey for a quiet, drunk weeknight at home, and filled it out with inconsistent answers.
Rattling the Kettles last blog post..Magnetism
September 16th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
That would have been fun. I could be a pagan catholic libertarian vegetarian that eats nothing but beef and pop tarts. I only visit porn and mormon websites. I have 12 kids and believe in zero population growth… I could go on and on but I’ll stop now.
October 14th, 2008 at 7:39 am
We receive stuff all the time—like address labels, calendars, note cards, slippers(!?!), and occasional money. But never $5!!! And I don’t answer surveys either, None of their business (whoever “they” is).
debras last blog post..My Town Monday: a Day in the Valley
October 15th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I have so many free address labels that I’ll never have to buy them again. I guess quilt marketing must work. Otherwise they’d stop doing it.
ImPerceptibles last blog post..Adolescent Behavior – A Case Study