FREE gadgets - Is it a Scam?

With so many links on the net for free stuff, i decided to take a look at a couple and see if they match the hype and deliver the goods...

Ever seen a site that promises free gear?

The two i choose work exactly the same way. The user signs up to the site and participates in one of the programmes.

For example an online video club which posts DVDs to your door for you to watch and return in the supplied envelope for a monthly fee.

The Video club then pays the 'Free gift' site per referrer. Your next task is to refer a number of friends so that your 'Free gift' can be despatched. When your friends sign up, they are added to your list as referees and can do the same themselves, participate in a programme and refer their friends and so on...

The catch? Well, sometimes the referral doesn't work. In our case, i had two friends that did sign up to (and complete) the programmes, but they were not credited to our account.

The site also recommends that you post your referral link on bulletin boards, Instant Messenger signatures and on as many websites as you can get. A great way to sign up your members in theory... Of course once you have earned your 'Free gift' your links will remain wherever you have posted them so in fact from that moment on they are getting free advertising.

Unfortunately there is only one free gift allowed per delivery address, so posting a huge banner ad on ScamGuard to try and get multiple gifts would be pointless.

Conclusion... Despite it's dodgy sounding promises, there really doesn't appear to be a loser. The programmes to participate in do seem a fair deal and i have heard of a few people that have had succes receiving their shiny new gadgets.

As of writing, i still haven't received mine, i will let you know when they turn up.