Slashdot Mirror
Inside the Free iPod Offer
jonathanhowell writes "David Lazarus, The SF Chronicle's tech guy, has an article in today's paper with an interesting investigation into the work you have to do to get a "free" (as in beer) iPod. I'm trying not to call it a scam, because it appears completely legal, if ethically challenged." From the article: "What it doesn't say is that the offer terms will expose you to reams of spam and marketing solicitations, that the user survey is actually a lengthy marketing ploy, and that the sponsor offers needed to qualify for that free music player will almost certainly cost you money."
I know how hard it is to get away from the spammers once they get a hold of you. However, this group is at least legit.
antipaucity
Likewise for me with a Mac Mini. I did have to pay $0.99 for one of the offers, but the key is to sign up for an offer that's actually worth it rather than one of the crazy ones like diet pills.
--
Want a free iPod?
Or try a free Nintendo DS, GC, PS2, Xbox. (you only need 4 referrals)
Wired article as proof
How early is that? I got my ipod about two months ago, and the DS shortly after that (signed up for everything else once i got the ipod). Personally, i know 3 people who got theirs assuming that they got the referalls complete. The time between getting the credit for referrers and geting the ipod/ds in my hands was only 2-3 weeks.
- I got my free iPod and a free Nintendo DS....why not
Hate to feed a troll but...
Really, how awful is the spam here? It's a tiny little note at the bottom of my sig. I agree that people who post thousands of messages to blogs and shit just to sell their scheme are scum. Most don't do that. Most do as I do, add a little note to the bottom of a message here or there. You act like that is some horrible offense that has ruined your life forever. My free ipod link wastes no more bandwidth than somebody's stupid joke sig, and hey it might even lead someone to a service they like.
As far as "supporting spammers"... I used a dedicated email address to sign up for the gratis network sites, three of them total. Not once have I recieved spam. NOT ONCE. Not a single message. Supporting spammers? It's specifically AGAINST the gratis network terms of service to spam your referral link.
Selfish and screw you attitude? You have to be joking. My addition of a tiny link doesn't do jack shit to hurt anyone else. The only thing selfish about it is, I'm not going to change my own actions because some pissant crybaby can't handle a whopping sentence in my sig. I'm not selling myself out to a marketer. I signed up for blockbuster online. I like the service. I may not have signed up for it had I never seen the free ipod site. I'm not selling anyone else out to a marketer. You are free to click my link or not, it's your choice. No one is forcing it down your throat. I know it would pain you to admit it, but gratis has a business model that WORKS, and doesn't hurt anyone in the process.