If the prizes suck for you, then don't do the event. That's simple. Really the only point is to get the items with modifiers - the actual stats are pretty irrelevant - and if you're outside the land of the plutocrats with unlimited funds to toss away on a game, then spread the burden with your syndicate.
Same with LTBs; as an income generator the Snack Attack is no better than the much cheaper Smoked Foul Deli was (but with a much better collection schedule). The mafia defence boost made it worthwhile to take to level 10 though,