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The problem with sweepstakes
Nov. 30th, 2022 09:47 pmOkay, so this is not the first time I've seen a sweepstakes that's all "win a free trip to so-and-so event!" and I look at it and go "...no."
Probably need to be more specific to explain why this is irritating.
So before, when I was doing the Adobe Max online convention for work-related stuff, there was this option to enter for the chance to win a free ticket to the in-person convention, plus hotel. Which would be a good deal if not for the fact that...it's in California. And I'm not.
This time, it's Ultraman Connection offering a free ticket to an anime convention this Sunday for a screening of Shin Ultraman, which yes, I do want to see. But the convention is in Texas. And I am not. And today is Wednesday, and I got the email Monday at the earliest.
See, the thing that these sweepstakes really piss me off about is that it doesn't cover the cost of travel. How am I supposed to get there, especially on short notice? You're paying for me to attend the convention, which is PEANUTS compared to the cost of airfare. Or gas. And not to mention the possibility that I might not be able to make it there (especially on a plane, given how epically bad airlines were this year and the fact that I SHOULD NOT FEEL SUCH A KINSHIP WITH THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, BUT HIS NEW REGULATIONS ON AIRLINES ENSURED I GOT MY MONEY BACK FOR A FLIGHT THEY NEVER TOLD ME WAS CANCELEDspring 2022 was a fucking nightmare, not to mention the summer).
These "giveaways" really can only exist because the companies involved aren't really spending any money on them. They don't have to worry about whether or not the winners can get there; they just reserve a single ticket and make up the money elsewhere. The risk is on me, not them.
...I'm starting to feel like Jon Stewart or Lewis Black or something here.
Probably need to be more specific to explain why this is irritating.
So before, when I was doing the Adobe Max online convention for work-related stuff, there was this option to enter for the chance to win a free ticket to the in-person convention, plus hotel. Which would be a good deal if not for the fact that...it's in California. And I'm not.
This time, it's Ultraman Connection offering a free ticket to an anime convention this Sunday for a screening of Shin Ultraman, which yes, I do want to see. But the convention is in Texas. And I am not. And today is Wednesday, and I got the email Monday at the earliest.
See, the thing that these sweepstakes really piss me off about is that it doesn't cover the cost of travel. How am I supposed to get there, especially on short notice? You're paying for me to attend the convention, which is PEANUTS compared to the cost of airfare. Or gas. And not to mention the possibility that I might not be able to make it there (especially on a plane, given how epically bad airlines were this year and the fact that I SHOULD NOT FEEL SUCH A KINSHIP WITH THE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, BUT HIS NEW REGULATIONS ON AIRLINES ENSURED I GOT MY MONEY BACK FOR A FLIGHT THEY NEVER TOLD ME WAS CANCELED
These "giveaways" really can only exist because the companies involved aren't really spending any money on them. They don't have to worry about whether or not the winners can get there; they just reserve a single ticket and make up the money elsewhere. The risk is on me, not them.
...I'm starting to feel like Jon Stewart or Lewis Black or something here.