Have any of you known anyone who has ever won the Publishers Clearing House lottery? There are those exciting television announcements - The “PCH Prize Patrol” arrives at a residence somewhere in Americana. They carry bundles of balloons, red roses, and most of all, a humongous check for the recipient awarding $5,000 a week for the rest of life. It’s heady to dream about, isn’t it folks!
My sweet 93 year old neighbor, Tanda, called me about six weeks ago in a state of excitement. She had received word that led her to believe she was the WINNER of today’s June 30th lottery. She began dreaming about how this infusion of cash into her life would enhance her golden years. Tanda asked that I be available today, and be with her when the PCH Prize Patrol showed up, so we could celebrate.
Right away, I had remembered something tucked away in the recesses of my memory, about there being SCAMS associated with the Publisher Clearing House Lottery. I went on-line and Googled several of these scams, and made note of them. I immediately worried my elderly neighbor might be taken advantage of, but really didn’t want to burst her bubble. Dreams are powerful things. But, on the opposite end of the spectrum, so is disappointment!
I sent Tanda a few links about PCH scams, just to prepare her for any letdown.
In the coming weeks after that initial notification, Tanda dutifully hobbled out to her mailbox to send in daily, or almost daily mail-outs to Publishers Clearing House. After all, she had been a customer of theirs for decades, and it was time for her lucky number to come up.
Still, I was skeptical, but hoped to be very wrong. I informed her that I was prepared to touch up my roots, and had laid out my new Alfred Dunner blouse for today. I went on to tell her I’d bring a DVD of the movie titled, “Nebraska,” a delightful tale about an elderly guy from Montana, who is convinced he is a PCH Winner, because he has been baited with one of those little mail-outs. The flick chronicles his journey from Montana to Nebraska to collect his “prize.”
I woke early this morning, and dressed appropriately for the PCH Prize Patrol. I looked down at Tanda’s house, but saw no colorful balloons. There has been no joyful phone calls from Tanda alerting me they had arrived.
I just checked the PCH Prize Control Facebook page, and it appears they have "mistakenly" arrived at some guy’s home in Southgate, Michigan. How am I ever going to explain their error to Tanda!
I know there are imaginative ways to market products in this country, folks. But, clearly I wish that Publishers Clearing House would see fit to change their ways. Somehow, when I think about my neighbor, Tanda, I think PCH marketing methods border on elder abuse!
Myrl, stopping by to wish you and your family a safe and happy July 4th.
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