Much is up for discussion tonight. *claps hands together* We'll start with Consumers Reward Solutions. Dave is flooded with e-mails, so please be patient with him. Members, who shall remain nameless, have received release forms today. So that tells us CRS are still paying out. Below a member messaged me with great news! I will paste the string of e-mails between Dave and the anonymous member, as well as the initial e-mail giving me permission.
"from member
to diyfreebies@gmail.com
date Mon, Nov 22, 2010 at 1:35 PM
subject reward is sent.
mailed-by xxxx.com
signed-by xxxx.com
hide details Nov 22
Hey Wozniak,
I just wanted to update you on the process of actually receiving my $1,000 gift card. Here are the emails in the process. I have tracked the money and it's on it's way. It took 9 weeks for "Dave" to send the money from the email he said it'd take 8 weeks. Thanks again for your awesome blog. You are free to use these emails as you block out personal information. Hopefully these will help people as you've helped me so much!
member"
The e-mails:
"From: member
Sent: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:41:18 -0400
To: Svc Acct
Subject: Re: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Dave,
Ticket [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Attached is the form filled out and signed. Please advise the next step to
receiving my $1,000 walmart gift card.
Thank you so much for your help!
member."
"From: Freegiftgroupdirect
Sent: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:12:13 -0400
To: xx@xxxx.com
Subject: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Form is received And Thank you.
Please allow 8 weeks for your gift to be shipped.
I will forward tracking info at that time.
Dave"
"From: member
Sent: Thu, 04 Nov 2010 16:10:11 -0400
To: Svc Acct
Subject: Re: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Hi Dave,
I'm wondering if there are any updates as to when you'll be sending the $1,000
walmart gift card.
Thank you,
member"
"From: Freegiftgroupdirect
Sent: Sun, 07 Nov 2010 12:37:44 -0500
To: xx@xxxx.com
Subject: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
member,
I am having trouble ordering your gift card online. (American VS Canadian issue)
I can replace your gift card with a check in the amount of $1000.00 USD and you can use for anything you like.
The check will be a bank draft and will send it registered mail. This will happen the third week of November.
Let me know
Dave"
"From: member
Sent: Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:59:23 -0500
To: Svc Acct
Subject: Re: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Dave,
This is fine that you send the gift as a check for $1,000 USD the third week of
November.
Thank you!
member"
"From: Freegiftgroupdirect
Sent: Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:04:23 -0500
To: xx@xxxx.com
Subject: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Hey Tim,
I will send tracking info the third week of November.
Dave"
"From: member
Sent: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:09:51 -0500
To: Svc Acct
Subject: Re: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Hey Dave
As it is Friday, will you please email me the tracking number today?
Thank you very much.
member"
"From: Freegiftgroupdirect
Sent: Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:29:03 -0500
To: xx@xxxx.com
Subject: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Your tracking number is ***********
You can track through canadapost.ca
Enjoy the funds
Dave"
"From: member
Sent: Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:36:46 -0500
To: Svc Acct
Subject: Re: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Dave,
Thank you for the tracking number. I appreciate your fast responses through
email.
member"
"From: Freegiftgroupdirect
Sent: Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:58:46 -0500
To: To: xx@xxxx.com
Subject: Re: [1AE-1424F7FB-E389]
Hey Tim,
You are welcome.
Enjoy
Dave"
Wasn't that good news? Now there is more concerning Consumers Reward Solutions... You guys might be right in thinking CRS has U.S. locations. I took a screen shot of a site I did by CRS, then compared it to two holiday inspired sites. Both holiday sites have the same address, but the "gift status" page is a replica of Consumers Reward Solutions.
Take a look. Click to enlarge images.
holiday site layout:
gift site policy:
Address on policy:
Rockefeller Center
1230 Avenue of the Americas 7th Floor
New York City, NY 10020
gift page:
http://select.freeprizerewards.com/SplashPage.aspx?g=c5b105c1cfeb4c07ae2acf6a0498a53f&c=17313&s={affiliate_id}&ue=1&se=01
CRS layout:
gift site policy:
Address on policy:
6-6150 Highway 7
Suite 220
Vaughan, ON L4H-OR6
gift page:
http://www2.2freelaptops.com/SplashPage.aspx?g=d6ca350f28e74aa1bb13bdf7cf274027&nn=vgjrc2mrxf&se=01
Next, look at the similarities of the status pages on the holiday gift site, and the CRS gift site...
holiday gift site status page:
status page:
http://support.visionsurveysolutions.com/Login.aspx?g=b61c43539d754ac8847840da8c96a1f3&&se=04
CRS status page:
status page:
http://support.internationalsurveycenter.com/Login.aspx?g=1c68bbac7ed645a3a9ed10443b33d2fd&&se=04
Same "Gift Center" image in the upper right-hand corner, and overall look and feel. After seeing "InternationalSurveyCenter.com", and "VisionSurveySolutions.com" on the status pages, I visited each web site. Remember how we dissected the personal web sites in the whois info in the "September surprises, Part 1..." blog? Scroll through this to refresh your memory: http://www.diyfreebies.com/?p=4148 It's just like what we talked about... Only difference is one is in New York. I still doubt a connection between CRS and the Norwalk address, but this is a high possibility.
Early December, Acquisis sent unpaid members a formal notice of termination of The Reward Depot program. Along with the letter members received a merry $500.00 reward! See below.
"Dec 1, 2010
Dear ____,
Thank you for participating in the Reward Depot program.
The reward program is being discontinued. Please accept this letter as our formal notice of termination of The Reward Depot program, pursuant to Section 8.4 (End of Program) of the "Terms & Conditions" under which you registered.
Due to numerous issues including, but not limited to, widespread fraud and violation of program rules detected across our programs, The Reward Depot is unable to fulfill the original gift of a ::your gift here:: for which you registered. We would, however, like to thank you for your participation by offering you the enclosed $500 gift card.
Sincerely,
Customer Support,
The Reward Depot"
Why didn't ARG do this? David Steinberg took the reins, and employed the old work party to effectuate another gift program; and we were forgotten since Barracuda Brad moved on instead of taking care of business. Acquisis were conscientious enough by offering members something for their trouble--nearly 3 years later--as well as giving a REAL reason why they cannot fulfill the original gifts. The letter ARG sent us last year was ridiculous.
Extracted from ARG's final letter, "Unfortunately, Active Response Group’s inability to pay Hercules in full means that with certainty Active Response has no funds to satisfy any consumer prize claims. Our customer service center is no longer in operation, and we will be winding down the affairs of the company under state law. So this is the last communication you can expect from us and we have no means of conducting further contact with you.
We are of course very disheartened by this turn of events, as we know you must be. We thank you for your patronage and wish you the best.
Very truly yours,
Customer Service Department”
Not buying it. You have to consider the sundry business practices people like Brad Powers engage in: www.bradpowers.com - www.bradpowers.org - www.linkedin.com/in/bradpowers. Money comes from copious citrus-producing trees in the grove, and if you grow the right tree, nourish it, keep it alive, you're living in a wealth of oranges no matter how infertile your lemon tree proved to be. Brad is living in a wealth of oranges in New York, and won't be going broke anytime soon. Neither will the ex-ARG crew now under Steinberg's control, and those who independently departed. How many pies and lemonade can be made from ARG's leftover lemons? Because that is what they gave us.
In regards to Acquisis' ability to reward members $500.00, does that go for everyone? I see how "widespread fraud and violation of program rules" would subvert The Reward Depot program. Perhaps that is why I-Deal upped their requirements? *musing* If fraudulent activity is had, money would be lost somewhere down the line. This may explain the iniquitous rules under their other DBA which hosts the big-brandgiveaway, and miscellaneous sites. Same company, just different divisions. Doesn't make it right for Acquisis to set obligatory rules that weren't necessitated, however. Such rules should be disclosed before registration, not after participants are fully immersed in the program. Wayward companies bother me; can't gauge their next move, you can only hope things go well.
There has been confusion with the 6-day rule across Consumer Gain's sites. Below is a response from Consumer Gain explaining why it is there.
"Hello,
As long as you make a payment to the advertiser, are credited for the offer in your account with our site, you can cancel the offer with that advertiser before or after the six days. We ask that the advertiser get back to us in at least 5 days about offers, which is why we have that 6-day rule out there. But, in all honesty, if you complete the offer and it's already posted in your account, you're not going to be penalized. That is, provided that a payment was made.
Some offer are free trial ones, but again, make a payment, wait for it to show in your account, then cancel it.
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Member Services"
To me its not at all like Nuitech since you can cancel an offer before the 6-day period. They just put that rule out there because of the advertiser. I hope this makes sense. Anymore questions regarding this can be sent to me via comment or e-mail: diyfreebies@gmail.com.
*holiday link list*
Nuitech--
http://holidayshoppingrewards.com/rd_p?p=303323&t=5955&c=&a=[=AFID=]-[=SID=] - 18 offers, no refs/iPhone, Macbook + $200.00 Apple gc package, or iTouch, iMac + $200.00 Apple gc package
http://www.premiumholidayoffers.com/rd_p?p=302405&c=49305-pho_holidaycountdown_300_hibrand&a=PEERFLY - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 gc of your choice ($500.00 Visa option)
http://www.envymygift.com/rd_p?p=303519&t=16041&c=txt_030&a= - 12 offers, no refs/iPad + $250.00 iTunes gc
http://holidayrewardvault.com/LP/prom-303583/1ce3e6e3f4.php?a=3299-OWM&ce_cid=000mSj4ngB7B3aIexO2ScCTpkN000000 - 6 offers, no refs/$250.00 Toys R Us gc
http://www.hotofferstoday.com/rd_p?p=303600&t=16067&c=txt_030&a=36918-{affiliate_id} - 10 offers, no refs/$1,000.00 Victoria's Secret gc
http://www.hotofferstoday.com/rd_p?p=303627&t=16077&c=txt_030&a=[=AFID=]-[=SID=] - 10 offers, no refs/iPad + $100.00 iTunes gc
http://www.rewardaisle.com/rd_p/?p=194442&t=13269&c=44166-ra_nook50gc_160_hibrand&a= - 8 offers, no refs/Barnes & Noble Nook + $50.00 gc
http://www.offersgonewild.com/rd_p?p=202383&t=14594&c=47238-ogw_xbox360kinectbundle_120_hibrand&a= - 8 offers, no refs/Xbox 360 Elite + Kinect combo + $50.00 GameStop gc
http://www.onlinerewardcenter.com/rd_p?p=181140&c=35207-iphoneitunes100gc_728_hibrand&a= - 8 offers, no refs/iPhone + $100.00 iTunes gc
http://www.myrewardchannel.com/rd_p/?p=190351&t=12336&c=42036-mrc_disneyweb500gc_300_hibrand&a=PF386 - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 Disney gc
http://www.onlinerewardcenter.com/rd_p?p=205899&c=46891-orcbealls500_728_hibrand&a=%25SUBID%25 - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 Bealls gc
http://www.consumerincentiverewards.com/rd_p?p=303429&c=49550-cirstubhub500gc_728_hibrand&a= - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 StubHub gift certificate
http://www.therewardmonkey.com/rd_p?p=303886&t=16033&c=txt_030&a=381001&uid=858224936 - 10 offers, no refs/iPad + $100.00 iTunes gc
http://yourgiftzone.com/LP/prom-199793/8698ff9211.php?a=2781-AP&ce_cid=000d2D0000001iNZZ.2hW2MPiP000000 - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 GameStop gc
http://yourgiftzone.com/LP/prom-199806/7900770abf.php?a=2781-AP&ce_cid=000d2z0000001iNZZ.2hW2MPfn000000 - 10 offers, no refs/Universal vacation
http://myrewardsvault.com/LP/prom-194496/f4573fc71c.php - 6 offers, no refs/$250.00 Best Buy gc
http://www.myrewardchannel.com/rd_p/?p=302046&t=15877&c=&a=[=AFID=]-[=SID=] - 8 offers, no refs/10-pc Rachel Ray cookware set + $250.00 gc of your choice (Visa option)
http://www.consumergiftcards.com/rd_p?p=204328 - 8 offers, no refs/$500.00 NFLshop.com gc
I-Deal--
http://www3.gifthouse.us.com/?session_id=a8cc4fba04e011e0a69b3a19b8df804b - 8 offers, 2 refs/$500.00 Home Depot or Lowe's gc + football jersey of your choice
http://www3.myholidaygifts.us.com/?session_id=391884ba04e311e08f7ddc39a83e1266 - 12 offers, 1 ref/$500.00 Visa
Consumer Gain--
http://assortedgifts.net/G/landing?campaignId=2436&subcid=MLTesting#cid=2436#sid=6#vid=1023 - offers unknown/value of 4 Six Flags season passes + $250.00 cash
There are over 20 links, so it may take a good 45 minutes to post the holiday link list. Once it's published to Wordpress/blogger, I have to recode the links for A4F. Will try to have the link list up in 3 days max. Could have double blogged, but it's too hard with it now mid-December. A lot goes into each entry; investigations, research, communicating with individuals and companies, screen shots/photo resizing, etc. After I pull the content together, I begin the writing and presentation process. It has to be perfect. Then, I top off my blog with the link list. *huff puff*
This should suffice for now... Wishing everyone a happy holiday season. Please stay safe, and enjoy yourselves. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I love hearing from you!
Be merry!
wozniack
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