Clinkle was supposed to be an app that used sound waves to make purchases from your phone. Now, it's some sort of vague (and vaguely sad) debit card—and based on this leaked email, the startup has to bribe people to use it.

The following email, sent to Clinkle's closed beta testers by Clinkle's director of sales Tyler Renaghan, indicates two things: the company still somehow has money left, and there is at least one person still working at Clinkle

————— Forwarded message —————

From: Tyler Renaghan <trenaghan@clinkle.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 19, 2014 at 4:22 AM
Subject: Do what you do each day...with Clinkle...and make $10
To: Tyler Renaghan <trenaghan@clinkle.com>


Hi valued beta users,

Most of us find ourselves swiping a credit card or debit card once and
sometimes a couple times per day. Rarely, if ever, do those cards
give you $10 after you've swiped 5 times.

Here's a reminder that when you swipe your card for the 5th time, we
will send you $10 directly to your Clinkle account to continue
enjoying Clinkle. Help me help you enjoy Clinkle.

If you haven't received your card yet, let me know.

If the app does not show you how to activate your card, let me know.

If you have feedback, questions, comments or concerns, let me know.

Thanks - Tyler

What is the point of any of this? Why keep trying? Tyler: get out while you can.