For the last few years I’ve been getting spammed non stop with these “IT surveys” offering $50 or $75 gift cards, sometimes they get fancy and throw in $100.

It always starts the same. “Quick intro call.” Then somehow that turns into “we’d love to connect you with a vendor.” And then you find out the gift card only happens if you sit through their sales pitch like a good little lead.

And even then, sometimes they don’t pay unless you chase them like you’re in collections.

My favorite is when they conveniently forget to mention that the payout is tied to the vendor call. Yeah sure, totally not misleading at all.

At some point I just got tired of this nonsense. It’s a complete waste of time dressed up as “research.”

So now I reply with a simple policy. $500 per vendor call. Upfront.

Funny thing is, most of them disappear immediately. Some still email with "please reply" subject - which now makes it obvious they didn't read my actual reply - it's an automated CRM message on their end.

Amazing how that works.

These firms are getting paid real money for these leads while tossing us lunch money and hoping we don’t notice.

Nah.

If you’re going to take my time, you’re going to pay for it. Otherwise, keep it moving.

Anyone else just done with this crap or still collecting $75 gift cards like it’s 2012?