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How do get a Free Laptop Programs Work?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

You may notice a number of commercials on television and Internet advertisements for Get a Free Laptop Programs. Some people automatically dismiss these as scams, but through tremendous time and effort, and careful vigilance, some of these programs work. They are not exactly free, and some of them are scams, so the first thing you should do before signing up for any program like this is thoroughly research the program.

You’ll want to conduct searches on any Get a Free Laptop offer by checking out the company through sites like the Better Business Bureau. Other places to look are sites that give information on current Internet scams. A number of these exist. Once you have verified the program is genuine, you’ll want to carefully read the terms and conditions of the program before you agree to them.

A couple using a laptop.
A couple using a laptop.

Evaluate things like excessive costs for shipping of your laptop, the number of affiliate programs you’ll have to sign up for, and the number of affiliate programs you can cancel after you’ve signed up for them. Some Get a Free Laptop programs won’t allow you to cancel memberships or signups for a specific period of time, and all will require you use your credit card.

Essentially, the Get a Free Laptop program tends to operate in the following manner:

    1) You sign up for the program and usually agree to allow the site to sell your personal information to any advertisers.
    2) You sign up for a number of programs, product offers, or subscription services, usually between 5-10, within a specified period of time (often in about 60 days).
A laptop.
A laptop.

Each time you sign up for one of these services, the Get a Free Laptop program makes money on your signup, often about $100-200 US Dollars (USD). So each service or program you sign up for usually counts as half the value of the laptop. Most sign up memberships do require you to pay a fee too, but many do allow you to cancel your membership or return anything purchased without affecting your ability to earn your laptop. You’ll have to know specifically how your program works to figure out how many memberships you can cancel or whether you can return items you ordered.

Once you’ve fulfilled the signup requirements, and usually after the time period for doing so has elapsed, you can get a free laptop. However you will have paid some money to obtain it in membership fees, shipping costs, and you may have paid for it by selling your address to others. It’s suggested you give a dummy phone number or an Internet generated number when you can to avoid obnoxious sales calls to your home.

People who have participated in Get a Free Laptop programs that are reputable say it takes some considerable organization to spend the minimum amount required. You might want to create an email file so that you can keep track of any signups you make, and a separate word document file with website and physical addresses and contact information for each thing you sign up for. Signups can vary from things like finding out more about a college program to purchasing traveler’s insurance or to acquiring a new credit card.

Remember that in most cases, you will be able to cancel most memberships after a specified time period; so signing up doesn’t mean you’re automatically committed to paying money for things. You will have to remember things like the dates you can cancel these memberships or the time you have to return items you don’t want that you’ve had to purchase. It’s also a really good idea to scan offers for the lowest priced signups or purchases, and there are some that are actually free, or offer free introductory memberships that you can cancel before you are charged.

Most people who’ve studied these programs say you can expect to spend about $40-100 USD to get a free laptop, but that the laptop is usually worth about $500 USD. Provided you remain organized, work with a reputable program and cancel or return things as outlined in the terms and conditions of the program, you could be well on your way to a very inexpensive laptop. It will take some time, organization and energy to actually get your laptop for minimal charges, but many conclude that reputable programs may be worth this time and effort.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent EasyTechJunkie contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent EasyTechJunkie contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon260535

I admit I was duped -- or should I say I'm waiting to see if I'm duped!

In the memory of the great Mike Wallace who, when just the mention of his name sent shivers up ones spine if they were to hear, "Mike Wallace is here!"

I wish he had investigated the scams that occupy the internet. I have common sense (don't practice it all the time but I still have it). But I must admit I have pursued a free laptop without any expectations and that is what I have received: nothing. No laptop or iPad and I was foolish enough to sign up for temporary trial periods costing $2.99 to $14.99 (why always the $.99?). I know it makes it sound cheaper! See, I know things.

Like me expecting a positive reply from this post! What a fool believes. (Thanks Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers!)

I have too much time on my hands and need to pursue a hobby or maybe a job on the internet that pays a minimum of $1,000 a week. Ha, ha, ha.

anon104178

I noticed that I wanted to get a free laptop, and order to do it, I have to get some offers, which have things that I have no interest in, plus I would have to pay for them by credit card, which I don't have.

Most of them these days, do require only a credit card, and that means that cash, checks, or money orders won't be accepted, which makes it harder for people who don't have credit cards.

For example, if I wanted a laptop computer, or a $100 Walmart Gift Card, i would do almost 25 to 50, or even 100 offers at one time, and some of them would require a credit card, which I don't have.

anon69450

there is no such thing as a free laptop if you want a free laptop they says that finish any two or three offers below and for that offer you need your credit card, you have to open a account in any two or three offers. i think it stinks.

anon66290

I am a high school student in need of a laptop but don't see it as a possibility anytime in the future and would really like someone to give me a site that would actually give me a laptop for free or something i could really use one.

any information on discounts, scholarship or grants a high schooler could sign up for would be great.

anon57362

I tried the get a free laptop twice. The first time in 2005 and the last time in early 2006, and it is definitely like the article above said. You need to keep track of every single membership you sign up for. I recommend opening a new email account just for that, because it is crazy the amount of junk mail you'll receive afterward, and the two times I required that I get a new credit card.

The first time I got a $700 check and the second time a Toshiba Satellite, which still runs by the way, best little laptop ever. Each time I roughly spent $180, and it took about two months to get the check and the laptop. My conclusion is that given the drop in price in laptops and the availability of netbooks, I just would go for a used laptop or a netbook. At this point in time (2009) I don't think it's worth the hassle.

anon46800

why is it that this programme is not extended for any country?

anon30781

Yes, it can take 5 to 10 offers. I tried it and it worked.

anon28757

I prefer to get referrals. I wrote a similar guide on getting a free laptop which talks about it. I can't imagine doing 5 or 10 offers for a single site.

anon21784

what sites do you recommend????

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