Scam Sensor

A lady called our house the other night, and for some reason I didn't immediately hang up on her like I do most of the calls I get like this. She had an offer for us to come out and take a tour of this resort about an hour from our house. In exchange we get the chance to pick a key that could win us the choice between a Chevy Blazer, PT Cruiser, or $15,000. The really interesting thing was that just for showing up, we are guaranteed 2 of the 5 following prizes.

$10 gift certificate to Red Lobster

4.0 Megapixel Digital camera

27" flat screen TV

A 3 day, 2 night vacation

$500 cash

For those that know me well, you probably wonder why I ever stayed on the phone. The reason is that my scam sensor never went off. I figure that my scam sensor is one of the more accurate and sensitive ones out there so if it didn't sense anything, I didn't have to worry.

I'm not holding out much hope for the grand prize but the free gifts sound cool. I doubt anyone ever actually gets the TV or the $500 but if I'm wrong, that could be really good. I guess I figure that they aren't trying to scam me, and that taking a shot isn't going to cost me much. Just about 3 hours of my time (Drive + tour).

My guess is that we will get the $10 gift certificate and a vacation at their resort. I imagine that that is what 90% or more of the people get. That would make the most sense. I guess the only reason I'm doing it is that they have to actually give the good prizes away at some point to stay legit, and the people seemed like they were genuine about actual people winning the grand prize from time to time. Plus the people from the actual resort called me, not some prize broker middle man. (which I verified by calling them back)

The more I write about this, the more I can't believe that my scam sensor didn't go off. Is my sensor wearing out or failing me, or is this a really good thing? I guess I'll find out thursday, and if nothing else, it will be a night out for the wife and I, and a cheaper bill the next time we go to Red Lobster. Low expectations are a good thing, that way I won't be dissapointed with what I expect, and be all the more happy if I'm wrong.