*hot new networks*
FreebiesGifts-- On 100.Freebiesgifts they're paying $100.00 per ref plus a $40.00 bonus! Sign up unreferred to get free greens as well. http://www.anything4free.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=154123
Aeternus Rewards-- Get in on their referral races while you still can! 1st place gets $75.00, 2nd place $50.00, and 3rd place $25.00. http://www.anything4free.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=157532
DIYfreebies.com gets a makeover, and moves to Wordpress! I enabled the digg plugin. All suggestions are welcomed. Several entries ago I mentioned Wordpress and a theme. It's exactly how I pictured it. Adwords is still a problem though. Wordpress alone has picked up a lot of activity, so imagine the combined success of Adwords and Wordpress.
Check it out: DIYfreebies.com
Ah, where to begin... After waiting for payment, ARG decides to sell their assets to Hercules Technology Growth Capital, the company who gave them a 10 million dollar loan in 2007.
Get informed:
http://boic.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/date-certain-ma-of-active-response-group-inc-its-assets-and-intellectual-property-by-its-secured-senior-lender-hercules-technology-growth-capital/
https://www.fis.dowjones.com/article.aspx?ProductIDFromApplication=32&aid=DJFVW00020090706e577000m9&r=Rss&s=DJFVW
What's that mean? We receive guerdon, or we don't. I'm betting there won't be enough funds, if any, to pay us. Once Hercules Technology Growth Capital liquidates their assets, ARG is done. Bidding ends on July 23, 2009. The axe has dropped. If you haven't complained to the Attorney General or FTC, the time is now! It couldn't hurt to put Mpell under the gun also. They handled us early on, declaring ARG out, and to go through them. Our certificates state payment would arrive within 8 to 10 weeks. Promises were made. This maelstrom has taken the fun out of freebies. We satisfied the new requirements, and 6+ months later are unrewarded. More enjoyment comes from this blog than DIY because of ARG. It's been daunting, and I've felt it for weeks. Whether they pay or not, I want it over. I'm just sorry we put money into pockets of cormorants. And sorrier for us walking away penniless after all this strife. Preparations were made last week, and I will update my progress here. I'm not scared of them, haha. Let's rumble!
I am rancoured over Brandarama. I would have respected them had they said, "Hey guys, we cannot pay you. We're ending this now by removing your gifts from our database. Down the road you will thank us for not putting you through a "cash back certificate" program, only to get nothing as our debt with Hercules, the one's who loaned us 10 mil, will be paid first, which will result in *drumroll* no monies left to pay anyone!" This takes the cake and icing! Might as well light candles to top it all off.
We aren't the only one's gnashing our teeth. Kelly Ripa is ripping apart the makers of this ill-famed product. Take a look...
"We now know how Kelly Ripa maintains her tight, ripped physique -- by fighting companies she claims lie about how she maintains her tight, ripped physique.
Ripa's lawyers just fired off cease and desist letters to a slew of Internet based purveyors of Guarana weight loss products, saying she never agreed to have her name and image splashed all over their ads.
Kelly also claims the Guarana gang screwed customers by allegedly accepting payment -- then refusing to ship the products.
The letters want the companies to remove anything Kelly-related from their ads, websites and blogs.
The documents warn --"failure to do so will serve only to exponentially increase the substantial liability you already face..." That's fancy lawyer speak for, "we'll sue the crap out of you."
It never was removed. Another one is called Guarana Blast. In the family tree are Acai, RezV Elite, Resveratrol, Max White, Ivory Brites, Dazzle White, amongst others. The addresses addle me. Interesting enough, one of the "world headquartered" locations points to a house on Google Maps.
A live chat between a customer and CS.
Annie: Hello and welcome to DazzleWhite. I'll be your live operator today. May I know, whom am I chatting with?
you: a disatisfied customer
Annie: Ok, how can I help you?
you: has your address changed to the UK?
Annie: No.
you: it says that it has here GIllmap LTD etc Durham, that is the UK
Annie: Just a moment please.
you: hello?
Annie: No, that is not our address.
you: why does it say here that is your world HQ?
you: why does your address change from day to day? how are people supposed to get their products back to you & why are your product packages underpaid?
you: hello?
Annie: Our head Quarter is
Annie: : Gillmap Limited
Annie: 9 Broomhill
Annie: Stanley, DH9 8AZ
Annie: Durham
you: that is in UK, around the corner to where I live. I live in the UK!!
Annie: Ok.
you: its not OK. You said above that wasnt your address, what happens to products sent to US address!
you: hello?
Annie: We have return address in US also.
you: what is address in US?
Annie: Just a moment please.
you: I was instructed to send the product back to US? can I send it to UK?
Annie: 3600 Army Post Road
Annie: Des Moines, IA 50321
Annie: Yes, you can.
you: Des Moines, that isnt the address I was given. This has changed & products already gone to Idaho falls...
you: idaho falls was address given. why do you change the addresses so frequently
you: hello?
Annie: Please call our member support at our toll free number 1-866-989-2686. They will assist you much better regarding your concern.
you: I have already called them & they were alos unable to answer any of my concerns & those concerns of a lot of other people
you: how often does your address change please, is it every day?
you: how interesting?
Annie: We are not authorized to give such kind of information. You have to call them for further assistance.
I am left wondering why Gillmap Limited operates out of a house. Do they work in their PJs? haha. UK property is expensive, so maybe that's why a house was chosen over an office. I wouldn't care. If I sued them for splashing my picture on their ads I'd just take the house! Live in it for a year, and keep it as an investment and/or vacation spot.
Celebrities are a target on the internet. From altered photos to trial offer advertisements-- even death hoaxes. After Michael Jackson's passing, Jeff Goldblum fell off a cliff while filming in New Zealand. Harrison Ford went missing along with a 120-foot luxury yacht off the coast of St. Tropez. George Clooney was in a plane crash outside Denver. All in a week.
It works for ads because people see a celebrity's build and think, "If it works for them, it can for me!" Hoaxes are different... Some keep believing, but eventually others figure it out, lol. And since it's an individual, not a company, the blogger/webmaster earns profit off traffic, not buyers. GoDaddy.com, registered about 7,500 domains between June 25th, the day of Jackson's death, and June 30th. Farrah Fawcett, who died the same day, got about 100 domains in the same period. What else will happen? We covered this topic in January on Central Coast Nutraceuticals using Oprah's image for their benefit. They face a 1.3 million dollar fine, but for deceptive sales practices. See below.
"PHOENIX—Central Coast Nutraceuticals Inc (CCN) must pay $1,375,000 in fines stemmed from a consumer fraud lawsuit that alleged deceptive online sales practices. The company was ordered to pay $1 million in civil penalties to the state of Arizona, $350,000 in consumer restitution and $25,000 to cover the state’s legal and investigative costs
The record settlement came after Arizona attorney general Terry Goddard received hundreds of consumer complaints. Arizona brought the lawsuit against CCN and its owner, Graham Gibson, of Phoenix in December 2008. Goddard alleged CCN used a variety of deceptive tactics marketing low-cost “risk-free" trial offers of health supplements.
According to the complaints, consumers who purchased the low-cost “risk-free trial offers” of CCN’s health supplements were also charged for costly products and services that they did not request. These included pre-selected “up-sell” products that the consumer had to actively de-select in the online order form to avoid being charged. When consumers tried to contact CCN regarding the unauthorized charges, they often faced hold times longer than an hour and their e-mails never received a response.
In addition to the financial settlement, the agreement prohibits CCN from violating the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. It also requires the company to clearly disclose to consumers the consequences involved with ordering a trial product from CCN."
Something needed to be done. They declaimed reports of unauthorized charges for Acai Berry because they don't sell it. Although alike in brand, they have no affiliation with CCN. The manufacturer is Apex Nutraceuticals, LLC. They're based in Anaheim, Ca., distributing energy drinks and dietary supplements. Other products to note: Acai Cleanser, Acai Brazilian Burn, Acai Pure, Acai Ultra Slim, Spirulina, etc. You've got to observe these things, I guess. Hopefully Kelly, and other celebs win their cases. I hate seeing them get the runaround. Her lawyers demanded ad removal, yet they are remiss. Their fault if they're sued.
Now, the moment you've all been waiting for! I will bold the correct answers so you'll know which are wrong. It's time to reveal the results...
Trivia contest. Group #1. Prize: $20.00 amazon certificate. Winner: 100PercentOff. He and another user answered correctly on both, so I drew from a hat.
I-Deal requires you to:
1) Submit your paperwork within 30 days
2) Complete your offers within 60 days
3) Keep your offers for 60 days
4) Eat carrot cake and send a proof pic for $25 bonus visa
theprizecenter.com was a popular domain belonging to which freebie site?
1) musthavefreegifts
2) Brandarama
3) PTP
4) I-Deal
True or false. I-Deal requires a w-9 form no matter what gift.
True = T. False = F.
Which network lets you substitute a bonus offer for one of the regular offers?
1) I-Deal
2) PTP
3) Brandarama
4) consumergain
Which DIY used to offer phone support?
1) PTP
2) I-Deal
3) YFD
4) musthavefreegifts
Which network awarded Alienware laptops for a limited time with no OODs?
1) musthavefreegifts
2) Nuitech
3) Brandarama
4) I-Deal
Active Response Group is also the name of the company who runs which network?
1) Adteractive
2) Brandarama
3) YFD
4) Nuitech
Which network gave out cash for people to remodel or furnish their outdoor decks?
1) Brandarama
2) I-Deal
3) PTP
4) musthavefreegifts
Trivia contest. Group #2. Prize: $10.00 amazon certificate. Winner: kinneylamb. Multiple users answered correctly, so I drew from a hat as well.
Which network offered 12 cases of Dr. Pepper?
1) Nuitech
2) YFD
3) Brandarama
4) I-Deal
What is the name of the CS rep who helped people on freebie forums?
1) Mickey
2) Sherry
3) Kim
4) Molly
Here comes the bridezilla... Which network allowed you to buy a wedding dress for one of their offers?
1) PTP
2) Nuitech
3) I-Deal
4) musthavefreegifts
Which network uses "config" in their urls to get to your gift?
1) Brandarama
2) consumergain
3) I-Deal
4) YFD
Random drawing contest. Prize: 5,000 A4F points. Winner: Beth82
Congratulations winners!! Amazon codes will be PMed this weekend. Be on the look out. :D
*links 'n such*
I-Deal--
http://www.myrewardscenter.us.com/?config=6193&src=WC-253351aaa:192636: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 summer games package
http://www.myrewardscenter.us.com/?config=6116&src=WC-253351aaa:192636: - 12 offers, 2 refs/$1,000.00 Lowe's or Home Depot gc
http://www.myrewardscenter.us.com/?config=4460&src=WC-253351aaa:192636: - 8 offers, no refs/Wii console
http://www.myrewardscenter.us.com/?config=5353&src=WC-253351aaa:192636: - 8 offers, no refs/XBox 360 console
http://electronicssource.us.com/ - 12 offers, 2 refs/HP Touchsmart PC
http://www.electronicssource.us.com/?config=5536 - 12 offers, 2 refs/Plasma
http://www.electronicssource.us.com/?config=6033 - 8 offers, no refs/GPS system
http://www.electronicssource.us.com/?config=6099 - 12 offers, 2 refs/Apple iMac
http://www.electronicssource.us.com/?config=6180 - 8 offers, no refs/Blackberry Curve
http://www.electronicssource.us.com/?config=6194 - 12 offers, 2 refs/Pink Macbook Air
http://www.electronicssource.us.com/?config=6244 - 6 offers, no refs/Nintendo DSi
http://www.electronicssource.us.com/?config=6250 - 8 offers, no refs/Rock Band special edition: The Beatles
http://www.electronicssource.us.com/?config=6278 - 8 offers, no refs/Wii console + Active personal trainer bundle
http://www.e-bonusrewards.us.com/?config=5854&src=WC-239504aaa26c01596c4b389f6873d17310e50c40d:205998: - 12 offers, 2 refs/$1,000.00 Home Depot gc
http://www.e-bonusrewards.us.com/?config=503&src=WC-239504aaa26c01596c4b389f6873d17310e50c40d:205998: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 gc of your choice
http://www.e-bonusrewards.us.com/?config=5831&src=WC-239504aaa26c01596c4b389f6873d17310e50c40d:205998: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 gc of your choice
http://www.e-bonusrewards.us.com/?config=5855&src=WC-239504aaa26c01596c4b389f6873d17310e50c40d:205998: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 Visa
http://www.e-bonusrewards.us.com/?config=5861&src=WC-239504aaa26c01596c4b389f6873d17310e50c40d:205998: - 6 offers, no refs/sneakers
http://www.e-bonusrewards.us.com/?config=5868&src=WC-239504aaa26c01596c4b389f6873d17310e50c40d:205998: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 JcPenney gc
http://www.e-bonusrewards.us.com/?config=5869&src=WC-239504aaa26c01596c4b389f6873d17310e50c40d:205998: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 American Airlines voucher
http://www.e-bonusrewards.us.com/?config=5872&src=WC-239504aaa26c01596c4b389f6873d17310e50c40d:205998: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 IKEA gc
http://www.e-bonusrewards.us.com/?config=6120&src=WC-239504aaa26c01596c4b389f6873d17310e50c40d:205998: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 JcPenney gc
http://www.gift-zone.biz/?config=4382&src=WC-247493aaaDDD533Z12731Z1245555259DDD:157441: - 12 offers, 2 refs/designer purse
http://www.e-researchcenter.us.com/?config=6183&src=WC-247493aaaDDD533Z12731Z1245555286DDD:216779: - 12 offers, 2 refs/$1,000.00 Visa
http://www.e-researchcenter.us.com/?config=5171&src=WC-247493aaaDDD533Z12731Z1245555286DDD:216779: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 gc of your choice
http://www.e-researchcenter.us.com/?config=5563&src=WC-247493aaaDDD533Z12731Z1245555286DDD:216779: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 CVS or Rite Aide gc
http://www.e-researchcenter.us.com/?config=5737&src=WC-247493aaaDDD533Z12731Z1245555286DDD:216779: - 8 offers, no refs/$250.00 Visa or water purifer
http://www.e-researchcenter.us.com/?config=5877&src=WC-247493aaaDDD533Z12731Z1245555286DDD:216779: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 Visa + t-shirt of your choice
http://www.e-researchcenter.us.com/?config=5877&src=WC-247493aaaDDD533Z12731Z1245555286DDD:216779: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 Visa + t-shirt of your choice
http://www.e-researchcenter.us.com/?config=6313&src=WC-247493aaaDDD533Z12731Z1245555286DDD:216779: - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 Visa + Michael Jackson t-shirt... I-Deal must be Michael Jackson fans, lol.
After ARG I will stick to I-Deal sites since our choices are limited. It would have been sweet to receive something this summer... If not my Brandarama check, my Visa from Acquisis. They're shipping faster, but I was confirmed in February and am still waiting. Oh well. Thank goodness for the "freebie vacation" I took because if I hadn't, I'd be a maniac. It's sad when you go away to escape freebies, which should be fun, hah. To ease minds, I am NOT employed by any DIY network. It's just my bailiwick. Like you, I began doing offers and researching companies, which led to signing up on forums. I'm not reporting back to them. This is a hobby for me. That's it. I hope everyone enjoyed the blog! ;)
Until next time...
wozniack
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