Sucka

What I am about to post is real. The participants in this story are not actors but actual dopes and losers. Well just me I guess. Ok, so this has to be one of the most embarrassing 2 things that has ever happened to me. One is not so bad and the other is horrible. I am so embarrassed about what I am about to post but I think it is good to get out there.

Amy had a post a few weeks back about falling for a mini-scam thing with a fake email from Paypal asking for her to verify her information. This is what reminded me of my own loserness. Sorry to bring up old wounds Amy, if you had a cut I would be happy to pour lemon juice in it. What happened with that whole identity theft anyway?

So event #1 took place while I was at BYU for the year that I went to BYU. I got a call at my house when I was home from class. It was from a radio station promotions department saying I had won "the grand prize". I, of course, was very excited to get my prizes. They were explained to me and I only had to send in $49 or something to get them. This was much like the tax you might pay on a car that you win, even though you win a car you still have to pay the tax. This made sense to me and so like a bonehead I paid the money. I was excited to tell Josh that I was "the grand prize winner" of a contest I had not even entered. Josh had a field day with this information and as we met people over the next few weeks, he proceeded to explain to them how I had won "the grand prize". It is funny now but at the time I hated it. He would say to a total stranger, "Hey, did you hear the good news?" and they would say no. And he would say, "Shayne won the grand prize" and I would slump down in my seat or hide around the corner. Thanks a lot Josh.

I eventually received a coupon book in the mail, much like the local Dixie Direct book only not as good. I used a coupon or two but nothing near $49 worth.

So apparently I did not learn my lesson on that one when after Daisy and I were married and living in Houston I was eating at Whataburger and somehow came in contact with a scratch off game. I scratched off each of the 4 quadrants and guess what? They were all the same and I was the winner. All I had to do was call a 1-800 number and claim my prize. I did this and was told to come to a certain address on a Saturday for prize claiming.

Well, I go to this office which now that I look back on it was obviously another business Mon-Fri and this scam on the weekends. They have me sit in a room with about 15 other "winners", all smiling and happy. This is so embarrassing.

So we are herded into another room where we get to sit through a sales presentation. I can't remember at what point I knew I was being duped but the worst part about this story is I ended up paying a few hundred dollars to join this "club" which would get me discounts on anything from pots and pans to furniture. I am so dumb and so pissed again at the whole thing. I should have been so offended by the way that they got me in there and just walked out but I stayed and scratched them a check for their trouble.

Maybe the business is legit and I could save millions getting stuff through them but doing what I did there goes against every philosophy, every idea about money that I have. Well, this was lame and I hope I have learned my lesson this time but who knows with me. At least it has been 7 years or so. Knock on wood.