Innovation: surveys

Is it just me, or would you fill in a survey without any "reward" for your time? Does eBay think people have nothing better to do on a Friday afternoon than give them free insight?

Dear XXX,

Thank you for being a valued eBay user.

We're always trying to improve the eBay experience, and there's no better group of advisors than our buyers and sellers. We'd love to get your insight on your searching experience on eBay, and invite you to take a survey to express your opinions. Your input will help us make eBay easier and more enjoyable to use.

To take the survey, please click the link below or copy and paste the link into your browser.

XXXXXXXXXX [link to survey]XXXXXXXXX

Thanks for being a part of the eBay community, and we hope to see you on eBay again soon.

Kind regards,
eBay Research Department

Straight into the trash.

Of the weird folks that actually enjoy completing eBay surveys on a Friday afternoon, how many of the "insights" and data they provide will be representative?

I received a survey from Borders last Saturday. They at least had the sense to offer me a carrot -- in the form of a 20% discount coupon. I tried to complete the survey, but their survey server was so damn slow that I got fed up and abandoned the whole thing.

Worse yet, I signed up for Blockbuster and rather than getting a "Thank you!" I got a "Congratulations!" How's that for getting ahead of yourself? Blockbuster must really be feeling the pinch these days, they have signs outside the store where I live that says, "Yes. We're open."

Sometimes the places in which innovation should occur get overlooked. Innovation isn't just about all the sexy stuff -- there's nothing wrong with a bit of innovation in the more dreary corners of a business.