So we’ve all been to restaurants where you can drop your business card into a bowl to win a free lunch, but have you ever won?

Just a few weeks ago, while I was back in St. Louis, I went to a local Chinese restaurant with a friend. On the way out, I dropped my business card into the fishbowl and a few days later, I received a voicemail on my cell phone inviting me and 15 of my friends to enjoy a free lunch. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the restaurant calling, but a local Ameriprise Financial representative.

So what do you think? Was this deceptive marketing or a spark of marketing genius?

I think some people might take advantage of a free lunch, regardless of the hour-long sales pitch, but in my opinion, the only winner here is the restaurant who receives an additional 15 lunches paid for by your local sales rep.

I’ll throw it out there, but if anyone wants 15 free lunches, just let me know.