By
Reneé LaVoie
Friday, December 18, 2009, 04:45 PM
Category:
FREE Today
CheapToday has recently added a comment feature. Why did we do that? Because not only do we love hearing from you, your feedback helps us to develop the site into your ideal spot for deals and freebies. We do read each and every comment that comes across our virtual desk and although we may not reply directly to you, we DO consider each person's comment/suggestion/feedback. This feature gives you a way to let us know when a deal has expired or changed its price, the site or a deal has a technical problem, etc.
Based on the comments that we have received so far, there seems to be some aspects of FreeToday that need definition. FreeToday is all about freebies. Every day I search numerous sites, checking each freebie for fraud and technical difficulty before I post. This saves you the time and aggravation of doing this on your own, plus you have one handy site to check instead of 15. However, WE do not directly send those samples to you - what we do is provide you a link to the company or retailer. Leaving us a request to send you the sample will have disappointing results since we are not able to submit requests on your behalf. To redeem freebies, please follow our links to the host site and apply directly with whatever form is provided.
If you have problems with the host site, we DO want you to let us know because we always follow up those comments to see if they can be duplicated. If they can, then we expire or update our deal. HOWEVER, if you are having difficulty and want the problem resolved, you will need to contact the host site as well.
Many times, we are unable to duplicate errors reported by readers. If you are having technical problems (error messages) with a site, always do the following: first, clear the cache on your browser by choosing the "tools" option on your browser toolbar and then "options". Locate and remove all cookies. Then reboot your computer and see if the error persists. If it does, then let both FreeToday and the host site know.
On the positive side of this new feature, reading the comments has given us new insight as to which kind of freebies our readers prefer. Also, please continue to use the "like" button at the top of each freebie to let us know which ones you really love. These two features used together help us see which freebies our FreeToday fans are nuts about so we can dig up more of the same!
So whether you love the Free Medium Coffee When You Sign up for Dunkin' Perks at Dunkin' Donuts or prefer the Free Myoplex Bar or Shake w/ EAS Newsletter Registration at Abbott Nutrition, let us know and we'll keep dishing out the freebies you love most.
--Renee
Image courtesy of Carefirst.com
By
Reneé LaVoie
Friday, December 11, 2009, 10:14 AM
Category:
FREE Today
We've had a number of concerns in our reader comments over free offer forms that request phone and cell phone numbers. I decided it would be a good idea to review some of the basics of this hot button issue in the freebie world.
READ THE FORM CAREFULLY: Many times, there will be a spot to enter your phone number but it's not mandatory information. You can usually sign up for a freebie without submitting your phone number. Anytime you fill out a request form for a freebie, make sure to read it carefully so you're well-informed. You have to wonder why a company would need your phone number to send you a free sample. Most of the time, they just give you the option, knowing that people won't take the time to read the fine print. That's how telemarketers run their business.
DON'T GIVE OUT YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER: Cell phone numbers are precious to telemarketers - since they're unpublished numbers, the cheapest and fastest way for them to get your number is to trick you into unknowingly giving it to them. A new trend in free offers and coupons right now is to have the customer send a text message and then receive a coupon back on their cell phone. When you do this, not only do you PAY your cell phone provider for the text message, you open the flood gates for all those cell phone minutes used telling telemarketers you don't want their product or worse, paying for text messages you never wanted. Many companies have started giving the option for customers to leave their cell phone numbers, but it is RARELY a mandatory requirement. A close read will usually reveal it's optional. If it is mandatory, perhaps you should reconsider how badly you want this freebie.
DON'T GIVE OUT YOUR HOME PHONE NUMBER: Although the direct financial consequences are not quite as dire as when you give out your cell phone number, it is still very annoying when your number gets out and the telemarketing calls start pouring in.
HOW CAN YOU GET AROUND IT? Here's the juicy part. You can get a free phone number that is a message-only number. In the event that a free offer form did require it, this phone number can be used without any worry of telemarketing backlash. It's not a cell phone number, but they won't know that! So in the unlikely event that your cell/phone information was required, you're covered and protected. This number also comes in handy for other reasons like prospective dates you hope to avoid, or if you lose phone service but still need to keep in touch.
--Renee
By
Reneé LaVoie
Friday, December 04, 2009, 12:15 PM
Category:
FREE Today
Nothing puts the "Ho! Ho! Ho!" into the holidays better than a solid freebie. This week has turned up some fantastic free offers with plenty of Yuletide cheer. There's a little bit of everything, including calls from Santa and free coupons at Whataburger.
FREE PERSONALIZED HOLIDAY CALL FROM SANTA/SNOWMAN/NASCAR'S TONY STEWART: The first is a freebie for lucky readers who live near a Kroger store. Once you schedule your request, your favorite munchkin will get a personalized telephone call from your choice of holiday heroes.
FREE PERSONALIZED VIDEO WITH SANTA FROM DISNEY: This one is truly awesome. You can share the link with friends and family via email. Register at Disney Family.com, then download a picture off your computer, enter your child's name and it will generate a fun free video staring Santa. Want to see a sample? Click Here.
FREE PICTURE WITH SANTA DECEMBER 5 AND 6 AT WALMART PHOTO CENTER: It's not really Christmas until the kids have a picture with Santa. Sometimes the price they charge at the mall can be staggering but Walmart keeps the spirit of the season bright with free pics for the kids with the Big Red Guy himself.
SEND A FREE HOLIDAY CARD (U.S.P.S.) COMPLIMENTS OF GOOGLE: It's so much easier to send an email than mail a letter. Why is that? Google noticed it too, and decided to give everyone one free holiday card to send for free. It will be sent out in the regular mail - just fill out the quick online form and choose from one of six different card designs, including M-envelope in Snow, Rudolph, Mittens, Snowflakes, Do-it-Yourself
Dreidel and Comic Snowflakes.
TWELVE FREE DAYS OF COUPONS FROM WHATABURGER: Nothing ushers in holiday cheer like an abundant supply of tasty free treats. Crisp hot fries, creamy cold shakes and juicy Whataburgers await during the Twelve Days of Whataburger. When you sign up, a free coupon will be sent to you every other day until December 24. This is a holiday tradition you can really sink your teeth into.
--Renee