Can I really get a free iPod, free PSP or free notebook computer?

I recently came across one of these sites, and thought it looked legit: Notebooks4free.com

Is it legit? And is there any catch? Any way to avoid paying for an offer you pay for? Thanks Dave!

Dave's Answer:

I have seen a lot of these sort of offers in my own mailbox, inviting me to go through some hoops and get a free iPod, free Sony PSP, free notebook computer, free TV, and just about any other gadget that is at all desirable, so I decided I'd try to go through the steps required to see if it really was legit or not.

I don't recall whether it was the same group as "notebooks4free.com", but I went far enough in their never-ending signup process to recognize how it all works, so let me share it with you and then you can decide for yourself if you think it's legit or not.

Lots and lots of companies pay online publishers for leads driven to their site, and many more pay a percentage of first transactions or a commission to publishers who are responsible for the acquisition of a new customer. For example, if you were to click on a specific link on a page and sign up for an American Express card, I might be paid a $5 or $10 commission once you were approved.

For the company, $5 or $10 is a cheap customer acquisition cost (many companies like America Online pay $50 or more for each new customer they bring into the fold) and for a publisher, well, it's pretty easy money for a link on their page. A win:win.

But is it? Well, while many people involved with these programs simply add a link or two to their site and hope for a few signups a month as a small incremental revenue trickle, others make that the focus of their efforts and create Web sites or promotional campaigns with the express purpose of getting people to click on their links.

Now you can start to see how this works. If Notebooks4free can buy an older Dell laptop from a surplus store for $299, say, and can require that you sign up for at least 40 offers that pay them $10 each in commission, they'll earn $400, subtract $299 for the cost of the laptop, charge you double or triple their actual shipping costs, and pocket $100-$150 for your efforts.

It's informative to notice the small print on one of these "free giveaway" sites (emphasis added to highlight the key clause):

"These promotions are brought to you by [company name] are subject to participation terms and conditions. Receipt of incentive gift requires completion of offer terms, including: age and residency requirements, registration with a valid email address and may require completion of user survey and participation in sponsor offers and shipping address verification."

$299 is a fairly expensive item for this sort of transaction, which is why something like an iPod shuffle is ideal: it's cool, sexy, and only $70 from an online vendor. Now the bar is lower: potential winners only have to bring in $150 in revenue, say, to "qualify" for a "free" iPod shuffle. The company makes $80, you sign up for promotional offers you're interested in anyway (theoretically, at least) and get a free iPod.

So now you can see how they work, and indeed when I went through the process with one of these promotions, I found that it was a never-ending series of signup offers, and I was forced to accept at least one offer on each page (and sign up with my personal data with those vendors) before I could get to the next page. Unsurprisingly, I also noticed that each page suggested it was the last but somehow I always had just one more set of offers to review.

After all, if they're paid for your signups regardless of whether you "complete" the series, these companies have a strong incentive to make it a real pain in the booty to sign up for enough to ship out the device. Think of it this way: if signing up for 40 offers gets you a laptop and earns them $150, why not require that you sign up for 50 offers, or 75? You get through 10 or 15 if you're enthused, give up, and they now get $100 or $150 without ever having to ship a product.

But it's not fraudulent, because if you did sign up for all of those many, many offers, they really would send you the free iPod, free Sony PSP, free notebook or whatever.

My conclusion: these offers are "legit", but it's a fool's game and you'd be far better off coming up with another way to acquire the device that you lust after.

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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics (Article 6504, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: free ipod, free notebook, free psp, online scams
Previous: Do my AdWords ads only run in the mornings on Google?
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Reader Comments To Date: 123

Anthony said, on May 2, 2006 1:47 AM:

Could the web page guarantees "this is the last offer" been considered a fraud?

Since I've heard of no one got a free give-away from the offers. Wondering if an end exists.

Souren Eriksen said, on May 14, 2006 8:14 PM:

Thats a good point i bet there are some offers that go to 100+. Also one will have to deal with all the spam and what not that one will get after one gave aways ones personal info multiple times.

mark said, on July 1, 2006 12:35 AM:

Yup, this turned out to be legit and many more sites started like this. I've personally gotten 3 ipods, 2 psps, and cash doing this. I expect much more in the future. :D

Mel said, on October 3, 2006 1:54 PM:

I am one of the poor saps who fell into this trap of free products. I was not patient enough to reach the end, but it wasn't just patience that deterred me, it was the thought that the product I was trying to attain wasn't in fact free. You actually have to pay for most of the offers you sign up for...and shipping and handling on top of those; not to mention the tons of endless spam coming to my invade my inbox. It's just not worth it. If someone tells me I can get something for free, then I shouldn't have to pay one cent.

Luke said, on March 23, 2007 1:51 PM:

is there a site were i can get a free ipod?

hanee said, on April 21, 2007 10:20 PM:

get notbook free

darrell howard said, on May 4, 2007 12:41 PM:

thank you

gengwall said, on May 23, 2007 9:26 AM:

I have gotten 3 laptops and have 2 more on the way, all for under $150 each. I ain't no fool. All it requires is good research and patience.

Marko said, on June 9, 2007 1:04 PM:

Where is a website that you can get a free psp for with no cost?

Jane said, on June 29, 2007 2:43 PM:

It’s smart too get multiple email accounts for spam mail. And if you are going to buy the products anyway then it may be worth your trouble? I don’t know I’m just a newb at this get-things-for-free game

aprie said, on July 3, 2007 11:47 AM:

Where is a website that you can get a free laptop for with no cost..??

Van Minh said, on July 9, 2007 10:35 PM:

I'm an IT. But I haven't own computer (my computer is damaged recently).Please give me a laptop. Thank you very much

Brandy! said, on August 16, 2007 12:23 PM:

You can totally get a free Ipod!
My bestfriend just got hers yesterday - the 30GB one. Now I'm on my way to getting mine :)

You just have to sign up for one of those one year subscription things. I chose the video games because my boyfriend loves it. haha and he isn't complaining one bit. I cancelled it so I don't get billed anymore and haven't had problems.

Why the heck not, you know? It's free.

danielle said, on September 4, 2007 3:28 PM:

i keep on getting on the omputer trying to get stuff for free but i have to fill out an offer first is there anyway i can do that without signing up for the offers

Tina O said, on September 10, 2007 3:51 PM:

Hey what about the work at home programs, have you come across any that are real? I am a home school mom and would not mind working from home for some extra income. I do not know if these on-line work from home companies are real or safe, not to mention free or low cost(by low cost I mean less than $50).
What are your thoughts?

Thanks for your time.
Tina

utibe augustine eyo said, on October 20, 2007 2:39 AM:

please i live in nigeria .which is in calabar,cross river state at 15c azekiwe .please iam really in need of a laptop but i dont have money to have one .That is why am asking for assistance.please can you just send me one.GOD BLESS YOU.THANKS

Mgccl said, on October 20, 2007 8:37 PM:

It's all about the research...
you are using your time to exchange for the money...
in the end, it's worth it, some of those sites only ask to finish one offer and referral 4 friends. Which is a bit easier if you know how to promote it.

Jose said, on December 12, 2007 7:39 PM:

As long as you use legitimate networks, it is possible to get a free item. Granted it does take some work, but in the end it is more than worth it.

maribel said, on February 7, 2008 11:25 AM:

Hi dave taylor how are u today i hope good. My name is maribel i was wondering if u could give me a free laptop it doesnt matter what kind iv'e been wanting one since i could remember i dont have no money two buy one i have to take care of my two kids and there not cheap also my bills. dave i would really apreciate if u would really give me one at no cost. thanks alot dave taylor.

azul said, on February 8, 2008 3:12 AM:

Yeah, there are sites that makes you go through hoops like that. Not like the site I'm using though. You only need to do one or two offers..

But they compensate the loss by getting you to get others to sign up for those offers too. Certainly easier than those sites that Dave tried.

But yes, those are really not scams. It worked for me.

anthony nobel said, on February 14, 2008 2:26 PM:

hello,my name is anthony nobel.pls i need a free dell laptopto run my IT programme.laptops are too expensive to get here and i cannnot afford it as a student.please,reply me on what to do
thanks

khurram said, on February 19, 2008 10:43 AM:

hi
my name is khurram alishah i nedd laptop because i working for big project! and i am professional in (IT) and laptop is two expensive and i can not afford! and i am student, so please tell me what i do!

thank you very much

justin maxwell said, on February 19, 2008 12:09 PM:

i need a psp please, ill do anything, i have had 4 psps and they get lost. please give me another one

TERRY said, on April 23, 2008 5:13 PM:

i wish i get for real my mom and dad can,t afford it but if you do give me psp i will be proud

mark said, on April 30, 2008 12:17 AM:

People! Just Google for this stuff. It is all over the net!

Vivian said, on May 5, 2008 12:34 AM:

Can I Really Get Stuff For Free???
Like A PSP, Earnyourstuff.com Says u Can,
But i dont no wether to beleve it,
PLEASE HELP ME

Lianet said, on July 9, 2008 9:11 AM:

Hi my name is lianet and my b-day is towmarrow and i really want a FREE 8gb green ipod nano video but i dont want to pay any program requierments or have to use a credit card to pay i just dont want my parents to pay anything please help me. I REALLY,REALLY,REALLY WANT ONE AND GREEN IS MA FAVORITE COLOR.

Lianet said, on July 9, 2008 9:21 AM:

Hi its lianet again i have one more question, is this stuff true i mean i have been in a lot of websites that say that you can get something free but then when i register it says i have to complete a program requierment or buy something else so i plese ask u to send me a 8gb green ipond nano video i live here in miami florida.

moizahmed said, on August 2, 2008 1:48 PM:

i just want to win a psp and i am

jonathan arko said, on August 22, 2008 2:35 PM:

I wan't free psp.But aford it.

ulfi said, on October 24, 2008 10:14 PM:

where/how do we run this if it's abroad(not in USA)
Honestly I'm living in Indonesia....

rahmon said, on October 25, 2008 11:12 AM:

thanks for providing solutions, i also wants a free laptop. pls help

bakuba said, on October 31, 2008 5:25 AM:

If these people just want to waste ouor time then they better stop it because we are not very intrested, they should not be giving us hopes of getting such goodies if they don't even exist in real sense. Thank you guys take care and dont be fooled by these people

max reginald saint fleur said, on November 5, 2008 12:51 PM:

i would like to have a psp and a ipod

christian sunu said, on December 9, 2008 1:25 AM:

i live in indonesia and i want to get education for the poor children. does anyone can help me to borrow or give me a laptop?
thank you.... for the better future...

christian sunu said, on December 9, 2008 1:30 AM:

can anyone help me?

ahad said, on December 23, 2008 1:04 PM:

hello iam ahad from karachi,pakistan i want free psp please my father cant afford it so please help me

folly said, on January 26, 2009 8:18 AM:

i am interesting on what you advertised on this page please mail me back if its still on sale the last price.
thanks
follytopmount

Shamila Ashraf said, on January 31, 2009 11:13 AM:

please forgive me am soooooooo soorryy for the last comment i sent its just because am soo poor help me and may i get my ipod nw x x x

laquesha said, on February 9, 2009 8:53 PM:

please give me a psp before i go poor

magdalene said, on February 27, 2009 12:51 PM:

Hi, i also need your help provude me also with free psp + ipod plz

magda said, on February 27, 2009 12:58 PM:

plz help me with this free stuff i am hearing i will be happy if u provide for me with free psp an laptop plz my box 53, Grootfontein, Namibia

michael said, on March 18, 2009 6:21 PM:

hi my name is michael and i want a ipod and a psp so can you please send me one please

Chamika perera said, on March 19, 2009 10:37 AM:

I am student.I want to laptop and ipods or iphone for my sciencesubject .I haven`t money for buy they,please give me soon.thank you very much,,,,,,

SamarthGupta said, on March 26, 2009 3:47 AM:

I need a psp for free in India.

joey said, on March 26, 2009 7:40 PM:

i have kids and someowne stoll his ps3 can sume one help me out with a free won

komi said, on April 19, 2009 4:34 PM:

hi i am my i am 12 yrs old my name is komi and all my firend got ds i the and i have ninetdo ds
plz can u gibe me free ds i
plzzzzzzz

mitchell said, on April 27, 2009 7:50 AM:

i just want to try it

mitchell said, on April 27, 2009 7:53 AM:

can i just try it pleas

Yine said, on May 3, 2009 7:17 AM:

I am Yine from Ghana and really need a laptop for my studies.I am in my second year in high school and a business student.Each student in the school needs to have a laptop and since my parents cannot aford to get me one i miss some of my lessons since i have to wait for someone to finish his or her work before i can i do mine.It has really affected my grades so i came to the internet cafe to search on the net if anyone can help me to get one…already someone is looking after my school.I would be glad if you are able solve the problem for me.Thank you

sanath said, on May 13, 2009 12:57 AM:

i want a laptop. can u?

dotun said, on June 18, 2009 9:33 AM:

Hi,am Dotun by name and am an average nigerian. i am a student/.worker i have this business proposal but i will need a laptop to enable be execute the project,pls if you could just do me this one lifetime favour by giving me a laptop any model,but just a laptop, and i will bee much grateful.thank in anticipation of a favourable response.

courage said, on June 26, 2009 5:37 AM:

can anyone do me a favor by giving me an ipod for free.
YOUR EFFORT IS SINCERELY APPRECIATED

abeer qamar said, on July 5, 2009 6:14 AM:

hi my name is abeer i have tried many sites but they r not useful to i vil be very thankful to whom who give me a free psp because my parents cant afford

amad said, on August 16, 2009 10:32 AM:

i need psp slim for making smile on the fase of poor and hungery children.

laura said, on August 29, 2009 8:19 AM:

i need an ipod and i cant afford to get a new one..my husband washed the one we had..how can i get a free ipod with out having to pay anythang or participate in any offers..

brenda rivera said, on September 11, 2009 12:33 AM:

hi, i just wanted too know if u could help me get a mackbook without having to pay anything including offers. im in great need of one. trying to have my own bussines but need a mac. i have no job no money and i have 3 kids. imagine how hard it is for me. please try to help me. thanks so much.

Clement Cheah Yang Hong said, on October 25, 2009 7:25 AM:

i want to have 2 psp for free before1 december 2009! I am only 10 years old!can u realy help me? plz!!!!!!!!!this is my only hope & i wan to giv this to the poor I live in 26,lorong Markisah 12a,Taman Markisah,14000,Bukit Mertajam,pulau Pinang,Malaysia,asia

saqlain said, on December 14, 2009 4:21 AM:

hey dev can u please get me a ipod of 8gb.

amna khurram said, on December 29, 2009 1:24 PM:

i am frm karachi please give me a sony psp,i beg you for that,i pray for it day and night and if youll do so i will be grateful and will remember you in my prayers..............plzzzzzzzzz........i am sure that i will get a psp from u

Jennifer said, on February 1, 2010 2:39 AM:

I believe you can get anything free, it just takes some work. :)

Tyesha said, on March 23, 2010 11:14 AM:

Hey if one of you guys see this message than I will give you a prize if you get the free laptop and I don't care what kind it is just please get me one if you want a prize.

judah said, on May 9, 2010 6:15 AM:

i really need an iopd with participating in any payment of fees and shipping pleasesssssssssssssssssssss i badly need it

siddharht said, on May 15, 2010 12:44 AM:

please give me a ipod nano 5th g please make my dreame real. pleaseeeeee

prabh said, on June 28, 2010 12:57 AM:

If anyone wants a ipod nano 2gb for a less price then please post a comment

Pratima Rana said, on July 12, 2010 4:55 AM:

Hi... i m in computer field. as dep. head but i haven't my laptop.. plea... arrange for free by any company.... thanks...

Boateng Opoku Yaw said, on July 16, 2010 6:12 AM:

Dear Sir/Madam i humbly write to inform you on how badly i need an ipod for school. It's because most of my notes are in pdf files and because i don't have a laptop i think ipod is going to solve my problem. I am a student of Catholic University. This is my mail box number, P.O.Box 473,weija,Accra. THANK YOU

frank pra said, on August 29, 2010 4:13 PM:

i plead to seek for a free laptop to use i live in Ghana
. help me
thanks

mexzi said, on September 3, 2010 3:37 PM:

please give me a psp or ipod and make my dream true plzzzzzzzzzzzz

JOSEPH KOOMSON said, on September 4, 2010 6:32 AM:

plz a an agric science student who an ipod to save some inportant document and project for the furture but i can't afford. pls help me.

Faizal said, on October 12, 2010 11:32 AM:

How could i can believe u?

emma said, on November 8, 2010 6:44 AM:

plese help me with psp let my dream come true

lissette said, on November 24, 2010 9:40 AM:

hi...i realy need a laptop any kind because im goig into college soon....im a single young mom and dont have enough money to buy one

Jeff said, on December 2, 2010 11:16 AM:

Why do mislead people about free products when you have to sign up for things you dont want is misleading

owen said, on December 30, 2010 3:17 AM:

pls my mum wont by a game for me how do i win a psp i am just 13 i cant buy one

UZAIR said, on January 20, 2011 5:14 AM:

HEy , i live in karachi and really need a psp/ipod to solve the problems that i'm facing while being a student of business school with the stuff of reports, presentations, asingments & their stuffs but facing finencial crises can't afford it . please dave help me by giving suggestions to get it but without paying its cost ! uzair_rm@yahoo.com

FRANK said, on April 28, 2011 1:58 AM:

pls i want to have a ipod for free but i dont know
how to go about it

akhtar said, on May 4, 2011 1:21 PM:

hi sir.
I really need a laptop and i really so poor and having don't money to buy.
So plz send me a free laptop .
Thanks
best regards

merlinhercules said, on June 5, 2011 10:54 AM:

pls i need a psp am dieing for one.i hope u will get me one.if u really want to get me one then send me an email

merlinhercules said, on June 5, 2011 10:56 AM:

plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz i trully need the psp get me one in the GOD

sahib shah said, on June 29, 2011 11:00 PM:

Dear sir,
I am Afgan refuges now. I student .I want a laptop computer free. Thank you.

Yakson said, on August 6, 2011 10:09 AM:

My name is yakson. I live in Nigeria. I am dying to have a PSP. My dad can't afford one. Can you help me plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! I beg of you

atif said, on August 17, 2011 10:55 AM:

plz accept the problems

go said, on August 18, 2011 8:11 PM:

hi
i'm from macedonia , and i'm realy so poor , i don't have money but i really need laptop , can you help me please ? :(

Femi said, on August 20, 2011 1:07 AM:

Pls, i need a laptop, am in nigeria

Bhuqie said, on August 21, 2011 10:49 AM:

Pls I nd a laptop.God bless u.

lawal idowu said, on August 22, 2011 8:50 AM:

if you could send me a psp here in Nigeria .god will grant you all your wishes.thanks sir

ahsan said, on September 8, 2011 7:00 AM:

ASLAM U ALIKUM i m from pakistan plz give me a free note book

Aniruddh zala said, on September 10, 2011 3:32 AM:

Dear Sir, i am from poor class family. I want to know the world so i want psp or computer in india. I don't see the world. And it's my dream.

Aniruddh zala said, on September 10, 2011 3:35 AM:

I see the line in school - do good and good will come back to u. So if u satisfy give me psp. I am from gujarat in india.

Charith Buddhika said, on October 16, 2011 4:16 AM:

I need a notebook computer for my higher studies.If you can please send me it as soon as possible.

Dipankar said, on October 26, 2011 4:14 AM:

can this site diliver me prizes

Shemyil said, on November 9, 2011 12:07 AM:

Plz i love psp plz give me one psp

Rambabu said, on November 16, 2011 9:24 AM:

Sir, I am a poor student in india. I am studying C.A.(IPCC) In andhrapradesh, india. I need loptop for further studies, but i am not afford to buy it. So please consider me and provide a laptop to me. After getting my job I also distribute to poor students like me. IF want to contact me Ram.rifals@gmail.com

jeevan said, on November 29, 2011 8:42 AM:

could please sent me a laptop my father cant afford to buy it its urgent for me please !!!!

shayan said, on November 29, 2011 9:22 AM:

plz i need a laptop i am from pakistan karachi i am very poor plz help me give me laptop for my study plz plz give my age is 13 i cant job thants why i need a laptop plz send i shall be thankfull to u

emma tumusabe said, on November 30, 2011 2:30 AM:

hi i need a lap top am a Ugandan i will be happy when you send me one

joel raj said, on December 16, 2011 11:02 PM:

hai sir\madam..,, iam very poor class family but i was very big dreem in my life please help me, and i want apple laptop in studied use. please help me,, sure i confidence with your heart and your company,

joseph boafo said, on December 24, 2011 8:17 AM:

good

joseph boafo said, on December 24, 2011 8:21 AM:

am a student need psp but am not having money to buy it.so plz can you give me one .........thank u

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

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I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Can I really get a free iPod, free PSP or free notebook computer?

Reader Comments To Date: 123

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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