The Code

I noticed a promotional ad on a product in our home. It said, "You could be an instant winner! Check your code inside!"

I really tire of such promos, and I highly doubted I was a winner but it couldn't hurt to check, right? Inside I read "Code: PGJ453R31-8324TWK - Log in to our website and enter this code to see if you won!"

Um, no thank you. I'm not willing to spend more than an instant to see if I won. And certainly it is not just a matter of plugging in the ridiculous code; they're going to try to extract as much info from their consumer as possible.

How about instead of a vehicle identification number you use the words "Instant" and "Winner?" Let's cut all the nonsense. Then I'd log into your website for sure.

And if I'm not a winner just say, "Really? Do you realize that you have a better chance of being trampled by a moose than winning this contest? Sorry we made you look - but we're flattered."