Mattie L. Howard

I received this email the other day, and it brought back memories of when I first got my computer. I was so naive about those “FREE” items. I am very enthusiastic when it comes to BOGO “FREE.” That is the word that started my troubles.

Hi Mattie,

Would you like to save money on groceries? Who wouldn’t? With The economy at a stand-still, unemployment is high and everyone is trying to make ends meet, it sounded very good to me. So how do I do this?

Participate Now & Receive $250 Grocery Gift Card FREE
**Shop On Us At Your Favorite Store**

Shop at your favorite stores and supermarkets. Get a $250 grocery gift card, FREE (with completion of program requirements).

Wondering if you're qualified to shop? Just Enter Your Zip Code To Qualify

How much does it cost to join? - It's FREE! -- But only few states qualify. Of course, Georgia is one of those states. I am thinking probably all of the STATES qualify. They just want you to think you just hit the jackpot because you live in Georgia.

Enter Your Zip Code To Check Whether you Qualify

Simply take our survey and complete the participation requirements. It's that easy!

Regards

Your friends at (Name Withheld)

Are you kidding me? Easy!! If you have never decided to try to get one of these “free” items, let me tell you, don’t do it!! They start out by telling you, congratulations, you qualify! Give us your mailing address so we will know where to send your card. You have only a few more steps to go, right. As you type in your address and email address, check your email and you will have several more offers from their partners. There are about 10 surveys for you to take. When I tried out one of these (when I first got a computer), I did not scroll to the bottom where it says you can skip it if you would like and go to the next one. Man! that caused me a lot of stress! By the time I finished one survey, another window would pop up for you to complete another offer. Yes I was on a roller coaster ride to that “free” $250 gift card. I got so frustrated with all the crap I had to go through, I just closed the whole page. I never got to the third step of completing the 3-5 offers I had to do. That was the first time I did it. Yes I said first time! I did it again.

The next time I was being smart, I thought. I said ok I am going to get to the finish line this time. I read all the privacy statements and the terms and conditions. I had plenty of time so I started on my journey to this “free” $250 gift card. I chose a survey (skipped all the rest) that I knew would not send me other offers, because I answered no to everything. I got through the surveys, then participated in 3 offers, (Netflix, book club, and CD club), going for the cheapest ones on the list where I can buy at least one and then cancel the membership. OH MAN! I had done it! I thought. As soon as I hit the button to redeem my gift card, the page froze!!! Still froze! Waiting! Still nothing happened. I had to hit Ctrl. Alt, delete and turned the computer off. I did not get that $250 gift card. I sent the other items back marked return to sender. Every time I see those words “FREE”, I have flashbacks. Delete! Delete! Delete!

Talk about extreme marketing!! Someone please! Slap me, back to my senses.

Have you successfully gotten a free gift card from one of these offers?

Graphic Credit:
Sabrina Segal