Bash Freebie Guide

These sites that give away free stuff (such as plasma TVs, game consoles, iPods, and cash) can afford to do so because they drive customers to other companies, earning a commission every time. You sign up at their website, choosing the free gift you want to receive, and then browse through a list of their sponsers, many of whom you'll easily recognize, such as Blockbuster, AOL, and eBay. You choose one sponsered offer to sign up for, purely on a trial basis, and either get a trial period for free, or pay a very small amount, usually just $1 - $5, depending on the sponsor. Evaluate the service provided and if you don't want it, you're free to cancel it at any time. You NEVER pay anything to the site giving the free gifts, and never give them credit card numbers or other information. You sign up for and pay (when required) the sponsor. The freebie site is simply directing you to that sponsor using a special link, so that the sponsor will know to pay them a commission.

Next, you tell your friends about the freebie you're working towards getting, and have them register at the site as well (unless it's a DIY site), using your own special link, so that you get credit for referring them. Refer the required number of people and your free gift is mailed to you.

Is this like a pyramid scheme?

It definitely isn't. You do refer other people, but there are major, key differences. Firstly, pyramid schemes are illegal, and if this was a pyramid scheme you wouldn't see them advertised all over the web. It is what's known as "affiliate marketing" or "incentive marketing". Many of the most popular companies use this marketing approach to get you to recruit customers for them, by referring friends and family to their service, and then paying you or giving you a credit of some sort on your account. These freebie sites are merely doing this on a large scale, referring lots of people to these participating companies and earning enough money from it to buy you a free item and still turn a profit. They make use of such marketing sites such as LinkShare and Commission Junction, which allow them to network with these companies.

When you actually look at the business model, and compare it to an illegal pyramid scheme, it's obvious that they are not the same. In a pyramid scheme you refer other people (let's say 10 people), and usually send money to all of them, with the hope that those 10 people will then each refer 10 more people, and that all of those (10 people you referred x 10 people referred by each of them = 100 people) will then send you money in return, multiplying your initial investment. But, if those 10 people you initially referred do not each refer more people you end up with nothing (and those 10 people you referred are usually running the scam and obviously won't be doing anything but collecting your money). With a freebie site there is no risk involoved and no hoping you will receive your gift. So long as you refer the required number of people, let's say 10 again, you will get your gift. Whether or not those people refer others does not matter. You are directly rewarded for referring others.

Can this actually be legit?

These sites have been proven legit, and it has been covered in the mainstream press. Here's two sites about it: Wired.com and G4TV. It has also been covered in Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine. You can also look at the affiliate systems on the websites of common sponsors such as eBay, Video Professor, and AOL.

Do I have to live in the U.S. to participate? Do I have to be 18 or older?

In most cases you do have to be at least 18, but more and more sites are opening up to other countries. Basically, just check the terms and conditions before signing up at any of the websites. All the sites listed on this site ARE open to the U.S. though.

My question isn't listed here.

Just email me and I'll try to answer any questions you may have.

Now that I've answered some of the questions you may have had, you should read the How-To Guide which gives you a step-by-step outline of where to start.

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