First of all, WG is a business, not a game. It MARKETS a game. That is its product.
So, that they 'suck you in' for ANYTHING should be a given. It's how they make money. It's called Capitalism 101.
There is this kind of boilerplate on the front page of WG:
In the Coupon section of Combat Intelligence (itself an oxymoron when it really is nothing more than MARKETING -- there's that word again) it says this:
"Don't get discouraged -- Get even!
Use this coupon for something snazzy in our Premium Shop. Up your game and give 'em Hell!"
There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that they imply very clearly that getting a premium tank will make you More Stronker automatically, when no such thing is actually true.
You can spot this any time that something for money is being offered and if you cannot spot that you are the mark and they are the Pit Boss, then you will be constantly fleeced by those that market with words of honeyed wine and sweet confections for those that purvey their wares -- when it's vinegary wine and stale doughnuts.
Caveat Emptor means: Let the Buyer BEWARE
Don't be a Sucker and always view marketing hype as what it is: Honeyed words to get you to part with cash. If you take your time and do due diligence, then you should never be taken in more than once or twice in any serious operation over time.
GL, HF & HSYBF!
OvO
(Never spent a penny yet on this game, so thanks for supporting my queue position)