The Free iPod

November 1, 2004 | Justin

I don’t know if you have heard about the whole “Free iPod” craze that seems to be sweeping over the internet, but I guess you could say I have been hooked.

The basic concept is as follows. You sign up at the website and complete what they refer to as an offer. Then you get 5 of your friends and family members to do the same. After these requirements have been met, you can “order” your iPod.

There were a handful of offers available to fulfill your requirement from Blockbuster’s online rental service to credit card applications. Considering I have been planning on joining Blockbuster’s program, that is the offer I decided to go with. Basically in order to get credit for it for the iPod you have to be a member for the duration of the two week free trial period. After the second week, Blockbuster charges you their monthly fee of $17.99.

Now, at first glance this whole concept of a free iPod seems like a scam. Believe me, I did at first. I mean, why would someone give out a $250 item for free? I did some reading up on the matter, from blogs by people that actually have gotten their iPod’s and the basic premise is that Gratis Internet, an online marketing firm that is behind the whole free iPod deal, makes money on an affiliate basis for every person that signs up and completes an offer. The general idea is that the majority of people will not be able to get the required 5 people to sign up and complete an offer, so for the people that do, the cost of the iPod doesn’t actually effect their bottom line.

After reading up on this over the last few weeks, I decided to give it a whirl. I signed up yesterday and am in day number two of my two week free trail of Blockbuster Online. My first three “rentals” were shipped out to me today. And to top it all off, I already have one referral who has completed their offer. They chose to do the Video Professor–you know the guy who sends you the free cd to learn how to use your computer? I believe the premise on that “offer” is you order your free software and then call back and cancel telling them you don’t want any more, I don’t really know for sure. But there you have it. I’ll keep you, my avid fans, posted as to the status of my attempt at a free iPod. If you would like to help me, and start your own journey toward a free iPod, then go ahead and click on my link: http://www.freeiPods.com/?r=11211706.

Update: November 10
Today is day 8 or so of my two week free trial of Blockbuster Online. Today I received “credit” for completion of my offer so I am able to cancel if I so desire. To see how easy it is, I clicked on that cancel link and low and behold I was offered a free month to stay. So when my two week free trial expires on Friday, I will be converted to one month for free. Add that to the four free in-store rentals I have received as well as the three movies I have already “rented,” I’m happy so far. Now I just need 4 people to get my iPod.

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Apple, internet, iPod, life, links