Neighborhood Man One Step Away From Free iPod
PITTSBURGH—Jim Stevens, chief mechanic at Gibson's Texaco, is just one step away from earning his free iPod, sources reported Wednesday.
Stevens began his iPod ordeal in October after receiving an email that detailed a site promising to give away free iPods.
"I didn't believe it at first," said Stevens, "I mean, maybe it makes sense for a website to give away hats or stress balls or something, but iPods cost hundreds of dollars. 'No way,' I said."
A short while later, Stevens gave in to his curiosity as he re-read the email and visited FreeiPods.com.
"There were just three steps," said Stevens, "I had to sign up for a special offer, get a few friends to do the same, and then choose my iPod."
He then continued, "I decided to sign up with Ancestry.com. It cost me $200 to register, but I was assured that I could cancel and get my money back in the first week and still receive credit toward my iPod. Now I just needed to convince five friends to sign up for offers as well."
Over the next few weeks, Stevens emailed dozens of friends, relatives, and colleagues about the site; posted his referral link on numerous web forums; and purchased classified ads on popular websites.
"Everyday it was just like, 'Pete, did you sign up for an offer yet, '" said coworker Peter McGill. "I was like, 'Dude, you make $1200 bucks a week, just go out and buy one.' It was relentless. And the offers all cost money. I'm not subscribing to a year of AOL just so Jim can get an iPod."
When a fourth person signed up for an offer on Tuesday, Stevens realized that he was just one step away from a free iPod.
"I check the status of my [free iPod] account every day after work," said Stevens. "It's so exciting."
Pundits have been quick to point out that Stevens could already be the owner of several iPods had he just spent more time at work and purchased them on his own, but the 37-year-old father of two has not been deterred, saying that he expects to receive his free iPod any day.
"I do wonder how they can keep in business though," said Stevens, "I mean they're just giving people iPods, and they're not getting anything in return."
« Back (Volume 4, Issue 1)
[Current Issue]
