In the auto industry they used to offer $100 for coming in for a test ride.
You didn't have to buy the car just come in and test ride it. The catch
is that you have to pass a credit check showing that you can afford to
finance it, and they then have all of your information for advertising
purposes.
It all comes out of an advertising budget, and all in all it is cheaper
than air time for a commercial to hand a few hundred people a check for
valid info than broadcast with no idea who is watching or cares.
