http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/nothing.asp

Something for Nothing

"You can't get something for nothing," the adage tells us. Nonetheless, people keep expecting that companies are going to serve up free lunches via the Internet. If they didn't give away free merchandise, cash, and stocks in the real world, they're not about to start doing it in a virtual one.


Ratings Key

        Green bullet = true
        Red bullet = false
        Multiple status bullet = multiple truth values
        Yellow bullet = undetermined
        White bullet = unclassifiable veracity

Select this link for an expanded
definition of our rating system.

Bill Gates Hoax:
Red bullet Bill Gates is offering a $1,000 reward to everyone who forwards his e-mail message.

What started out as a hoax aimed at Bill Gates has morphed into an ongoing Internet joke involving one company after another. Other 'giveaways' include:

  • Abercrombie and Fitch ($25 gift certificates)
  • AOL/Intel (cash)
  • AOL/Netscape (cash)
  • AOL/Time-Warner and EMI (cash)
  • Applebees ($50 gift certificates)
  • Bath and Body Works ($50 gift certificates)
  • Coca-Cola (Coke)
  • Columbia House (music CDs)
  • Cracker Barrel ($50 gift certificates)
  • Delta (air travel)
  • Disney (cash or WDW vacations)
  • Ericsson (wireless phones)
  • The Gap (clothes or $35 gift certificates)
  • Honda (cars)
  • IBM (computers)
  • J. Crew ($50 gift certificates)
  • Mars (M&Ms)
  • Nike (shoes or cash)
  • Old Navy ($25 gift certificates)
  • Outback Steakhouse ($25 gift certificates)
  • Newell Company (cash)
  • Nokia (wireless phones)
  • RD Power Inc. (cash)
  • Sony (PlayStation consoles)
  • Veuve-Clicquot (case of champagne)
  • Victoria's Secret ($50 gift certificates)


    • AOL:
    Multi-colored bullet Avoid AOL price increase by asking to be locked into old rate for a year.

    Applebee's:
    Red bullet Applebee's restaurants are giving away $50 gift certificates to customers who forward an e-mail message.

    Baskin-Robbins:
    Green bullet Baskin-Robbins outlets will be offering free ice cream to pregnant women on 21 May 2008.

    Ben & Jerry's:
    Green bullet Ben & Jerry's outlets will be offering free ice cream on 25 April 2006.

    Bertolli Olive Oil:
    Red bullet Internet-circulated coupon for free bottle of Bertolli Olive Oil.

    Blockbuster:
    Red bullet On-line coupon can be redeemed for free movie rental, popcorn, and sodas at Blockbuster outlets.

    Boston Market:
    Green bullet Boston Market is offering coupons good for a $1 chicken meal.

    British Airways:
    Red bullet British Airways is offering free round-trip travel to London to those who forward an e-mail message to 10 other people.

    CD Refund:
    Red bullet CD purchasers can apply on a web site to claim their share of the settlement of a price-fixing lawsuit.

    Cheesecake Factory:
    Green bullet On 30 July 2008, The Cheesecake Factory restaurants will be selling cheesecake for $1.50 per slice.

    Chick-Fil-A:
    Red bullet Consumers can receive a coupon for a free chicken sandwich and Coke at Chick-fil-A by registering at freechickenandcoke.com.

    conEdison:
    Red bullet Con Edison is reimbursing its customers up to $350 in compensation for food spoiled during the August 2003 blackout.

    Cosmetics:
    Green bullet Cosmetics manufacturers will be giving away free product in settlement of a class-action lawsuit.

    Delta Air Lines:
    Red bullet Get free air travel on Delta Air Lines for forwarding an e-mail message.

    Dr Pepper:
    Green bullet Dr Pepper is giving away coupons for free soda in conjunction with the release of Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy album.

    Dunkin' Donuts:
    Green bullet Dunkin' Donuts outlets are giving away free iced coffees on 21 March 2007.

    e.l.f. Cosmetics:
    Red bullet The e.l.f. brand of cosmetics has been bought up by a major department store chain and is offering its remaining inventory at $1 per item in anticipation of rebranding.

    Ericsson:
    Red bullet Internet users can receive a free laptop computers from Ericsson for forwarding an e-mail message to eight friends.

    FreeFlixTix:
    Multi-colored bullet The web site FreeFlixTix distributes free movie tickets.

    Free 411:
    Green bullet The phone number 1-800-FREE-411 offers free directory assistance service.

    Free Gas Coupon:
    Red bullet Web site offers coupon good for free gasoline.

    Guinness Book of World Records:
    Red bullet Get your name in the Guinness Book of World Records by forwarding an e-mail.

    IHOP:
    Green bullet IHOP restaurants are offering free pancakes on National Pancake Day.

    IN-N-OUT:
    Red bullet The IN-N-OUT hamburger chain will be offering price rollbacks as part of a 60th anniversary promotion.

    IWon:
    Red bullet IWon.com is giving away scads of cash to those who forward an e-mail.

    Jamba Juice:
    Green bullet Online coupon can be redeemed for a free smoothie at Jamba Juice outlets.

    KFC:
    Green bullet KFC is giving away free Popcorn Chicken on 20 June 2002.

    Krispy Kreme:
    Green bullet Krispy Kreme outlets will be giving away free doughnuts on 3 June 2005.

    Long John Silver's:
    Green bullet Long John Silver's restaurants will be giving away free Giant Shrimp on 10 May 2004.

    Marks & Spencer:
    Red bullet Marks & Spencer are giving away free merchandise vouchers in partnership with Persimmon Homes.

    McDonald's:
    Red bullet McDonald's is distributing an Internet-circulated coupon redeemable for a free Premium Salad at McDonald's restaurants.

    Microsoft/AOL:
    Red bullet Internet users can receive a cash reward for forwarding messages to test a Microsoft/AOL e-mail tracking system.

    Miller Beer:
    Red bullet The Miller Brewing Company is giving away 2 million cases of free beer to celebrate the year 2000.

    Mr. Smiley:
    Yellow bullet Sign up with Mr. Smiley and receive a free T-shirt.

    Moonlite Bunny Ranch:
    Green bullet Brothel in Nevada offers free sex to U.S. troops returning from Iraq.

    Netflix:
    Green bullet Netflix is notifying customers of a class action lawsuit settlement via e-mail.

    Panda Express:
    Red bullet Panda Express will be celebrating its 15th anniversary by offering discounted and free food on 19 November 2008.

    PayPal:
    Green bullet PayPal customers can claim a share of a class action lawsuit settlement.

    Prize Bounty:
    Red bullet Prize Bounty is giving away free Xbox systems.

    Red Robin:
    Red bullet An Internet-distributed coupon can be redeemed at Red Robin restaurants for a free hamburger and sundae.

    Sony Playstation:
    Red bullet Internet users can receive free Sony PlayStation consoles for forwarding an e-mail message to their friends.

    Southwest Airlines:
    Red bullet Southwest Airlines provides free air travel to those who have AIDS or herpes.

    Starbucks:
    Red bullet An Internet-distributed coupon can be redeemed at any participating Starbucks outlet for a free Crème Frappuccino drink.
    Red bullet Starbucks issued 'My Favorite Way to Cool Down This Summer' coupons via e-mail.

    Swiffer:
    Red bullet Consumers can get a coupon for a free Swiffer Wet Jet mop by calling a phone number.

    Target:
    Red bullet Target stores with optical departments are offering free eyeglasses to children 12 and under.

    Texas Free Tow:
    Red bullet Texas driver's licenses include a toll-free number stranded motorists can call to receive free towing service.

    TOGO's:
    Green bullet The TOGO's restaurant chain is giving away free sandwiches on Wednesday, June 20, 2001.

    United States Postal Service:
    Green bullet The USPS provides free Priority Mail shipping supplies for customers sending packages to U.S. military personnel overseas.

    Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club:
    Green bullet Credit card users are eligible $25 refunds from the settlement of a class action suit.

    Wendy's:
    Red bullet An Internet-circulated coupon can be redeemed for a free cheeseburger and soft drink at Wendy's restaurants.

    Whataburger:
    Red bullet E-mailed "12 Days of Whataburger" coupons can be redeemed for free food items at Whataburger outlets.

    $60 Cell Phone Credit:
    Red bullet Forwarding a text message to ten other people will get you a $60.00 credit on your cell phone bill.

    Velveeta and Reynolds Wrap:
    Red bullet Two Internet-circulated coupons for free Velveeta and Reynolds Wrap.

    Veterans Day:
    Green bullet Restaurant chains are offering free meals to U.S. military personnel in conjunction with Veterans Day.

    * Entries marked with an asterisk will display in a separate browser window.

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