On July 1, the Willy’s Road Trip promotion began. I knocked out eight locations off the bat. On July 2, I knocked out ten Willy’s, including the daunting Athens location. On July 3, I visited eight more Willy’s and on July 4th, I visited the last Willy’s and didn’t hesitate when I got to my computer to submit the photos of all my receipts.
I got notification that I was the first one in on July 5, but a brief explanation that my submission would have to be verified and confirmed before I was officially anointed the first winner of the Willy’s Road Trip. I figured, eh, no big deal, this shouldn’t take long, and that I had nothing to worry about because I followed the rules and stayed within parameters the entire way.
But then the waiting began. I didn’t hear back throughout the remainder of the July 5. Did something go awry? I didn’t hear back on July 6. Did they dislike my tactic of getting a cheapo item at most of the locations? I didn’t hear back on July 7. Did they not like the fact that I didn’t blow up Twitter or social media with their hashtag?
I was getting anxious. Why was it taking Willy’s longer to verify my handful of receipts than it took me to drive nearly 300 miles in four days to visit?