It's really not a scam, you ginormous pussy... If you've ever been on the internet (kinda like you are right now) you've probably seen a banner or pop up for a free Apple iPod. And if you're like most people, you probably ignored it as some kind of bullshit spam trap. Well, apparently a company that offers a free iPod in exchange for trial of its advertisers' services, is actually following through with the terms of the promotion. The news of this insane deal has spread across the internet like pubic lice, and shitloads of folks have visited their mailboxes to find an iPod waiting there for them. Many have propped the free iPod company on their websites and blogs, and even posted pics of their new mp3 player as proof to non-believers. Yeah, people (you don't know) on the internet, shouldn't make you any less skeptical of this "free lunch". But apparently Josh knows several people who have cashed in, and has been beating the shit out of his inner cynic ever since. So there, a person you saw on TV says it's legit. Hook it up.

Let's be honest for a second, this is a straight up pyramid-type scam. The only difference is, you don't really need to contribute any money, and you actually get a payout. The company that runs this shady-ass promo is said to be quite legit and its advertisers are some pretty big companies who probably wouldn't risk aligning themselves with a con. So now that you're completely convinced, and you want your own free iPod (mini or 20 GB), let's talk about how it works. Usually, you sign up for the deal after someone suckers you into being a referee (one who is referred, not a sporting official) for them. To qualify for the offer, you must refer 5 other people, who then have to sign up and complete the promo obligation. Easy enough. Surely you know 5 other people with a valid email address. The shitty part comes after you sign up. That's when you have to pick an advertiser and try out their services. This is how you get credit, and how the free iPod people make their gravy. When you complete your trial and 5 people (you manipulated into registering) do the same, your iPod is shipped. You don't have to wait for the 5 people to get 5 more, those sorry bastards are on their own. Your pity for them will subside quickly, because soon enough you will be jamming out to Bananarama on a boss, new, (and free) iPod.

To sign up, follow one of these links (which will help others get their 5 recruits):
http://www.freeiPods.com/default.aspx?referer=8908364
http://www.freeipods.com/default.aspx?referer=8919936
http://www.freeiPods.com/default.aspx?referer=9780018
http://www.freeiPods.com/default.aspx?referer=10295919

If you sign up and think you might want some help, your referral link and we can post it here (in the list above). That way, everyone can piggyback off one another to fulfill the requirement (of 5 recruits) more quickly.

To read more about this whole scam, check out this article in Wired magazine. It basically talks about how it's for real and the way this company can pull it off economically. This other site is a guide to completing the offer and even includes pics of the free iPod that the site owner received. It goes through the steps, talks about the promo's legitimacy, and discusses the problems with trying to cheat the system (don't do it). There are many other guide sites out there that talk about this deal and give some advice. Another helpful site breaks down the trial offers as to which ones are the best/cheapest. The guides also outline some problems with the system (rejection of certain email services.. pop-up blocker issues.. etc.). So in other words, read the guides. And then go try and get yourself a free iPod.

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