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What is your "Free Gift" threshold?
Old 02-24-2010, 02:44 PM   #1
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What is your "Free Gift" threshold?

I was given a certificate to mail in to get a $10 gift card at a place of my choice (Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc). I chose to toss it out and the wife asked why.

I explained that getting out an envelope, pen, paper, spending time writing address, purchase info, doing the envelope and stamp, then posting it, was to much effort for $10.

What is your threshold, and BTW, any tips on where the freebies are these days?
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Old 02-24-2010, 02:45 PM   #2
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I would have done that for $10. And if it's not something I'm interested in, if it were transferable I'd give it to a friend who could use it and they could jump through the hoops.
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Old 02-24-2010, 03:11 PM   #3
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I 've done it for $3.00 . I bought Hasbro games for my SO's grand kids that had a $3.00 rebate . The rebate came and it was the monopoly guy on a $3.00 visa card .It was so cute I hated to use it . I often do surveys for $10.00 amazon gift cards .
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Old 02-24-2010, 03:26 PM   #4
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I think the $10 must have been my threshold cause I almost sent it in but if it were $15 for sure I would have.

But it really looked like about a 20 minute effort. Finding things, doing the writing and stuff. So I was a bit guilty to just toss away $10.

Next time. But $3? I hope that was a while ago.
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Old 02-24-2010, 04:13 PM   #5
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I still kneel down to pick up a penny off the floor. So, yes, a $10 debit card would be worth my time. I would even take the time to turn the card in at the bank for cash.

It's not like I'm being paid for my time off. When I'm home, I have to do plenty of tedious chores for no pay.

Moe, do you have to buy something at Amazon to be offered the survey where they pay you $10? I have never gotten that offer when I've been on the Amazon site.

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Old 02-24-2010, 04:14 PM   #6
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I often do surveys for $10.00 amazon gift cards .
Do you mind sharing where you can do those surveys?

I do online survey through E-Rewards (I think that is their name) and very small amounts of money get credited and you can get different things. I am currently getting a subscription to Prevention magazine, which I enjoy reading, for free.

I definitely would have done the $10.00 certificate. I do coupons on a hit or miss basis. It feels good when I have a bunch of coupons and use them. It feels like free money.
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Old 02-24-2010, 04:30 PM   #7
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I, also, still pick up a penny in the street. For $10 I'd sing a little song with it while I mailed it in.
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Old 02-24-2010, 04:56 PM   #8
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Moe, do you have to buy something at Amazon to be offered the survey where they pay you $10? I have never gotten that offer when I've been on the Amazon site.

Amethyst

It is not through Amazon . It's not E rewards but something similar to that .It may be called E surveys . The surveys take around twenty minutes and they pay you with an Amazon gift card . If I think of the name of it I'll PM it to you .
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Old 02-24-2010, 04:59 PM   #9
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Next time. But $3? I hope that was a while ago.

It was Dec.2008 . Hey $3.00 is enough for lunch at Checkers !
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Old 02-24-2010, 05:16 PM   #10
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.
...too much effort for $10.

What is your threshold, and BTW, any tips on where the freebies are these days?
Threshold unknown to date.
I am a sucker for any kind of freebie, as long as I don't have to give out anything more than my address and my public (not private home) email.
For instance...

Mars (candy makers) did a free chocolate coupon giveaway a while back. All I had to do is register, login every Friday, and lo and behold, a coupon for $0.85 would arrive by snail mail. I did this for about 3 months. I really enjoyed paying $0.15 for a single package of M&Ms. It was so retro! They finally stopped the promotion.

There is a free website at www.heyitsfree.com that is pretty funny. [If I just violated a forum rule, please edit the link out] The webmaster is a real character.
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Old 02-24-2010, 06:03 PM   #11
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It is not through Amazon . It's not E rewards but something similar to that .It may be called E surveys . The surveys take around twenty minutes and they pay you with an Amazon gift card . If I think of the name of it I'll PM it to you .
Me too, please.

Ha
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Old 02-24-2010, 06:05 PM   #12
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I, also, still pick up a penny in the street. For $10 I'd sing a little song with it while I mailed it in.
I used to but I decided that it is not worth the slightly increased risk of being mugged. I like to walk down the street with my eyes checking what is going on at the people level, not on the pavement.

Ha
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Old 02-24-2010, 08:02 PM   #13
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I used to but I decided that it is not worth the slightly increased risk of being mugged. I like to walk down the street with my eyes checking what is going on at the people level, not on the pavement.

Ha
I'd look.

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Old 02-24-2010, 08:25 PM   #14
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It depends how much it takes to get the "free" or "discount" goods. More than a few minutes work for US$10 is not currently worth it to me given working hours etc

I expect my approach to change once I stop working - having no income should affect my perspective
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Old 02-24-2010, 08:49 PM   #15
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It depends how much it takes to get the "free" or "discount" goods. More than a few minutes work for US$10 is not currently worth it to me given working hours etc

I expect my approach to change once I stop working - having no income should affect my perspective
"Discount" goods. Is Golden Computing still operating? I used to fly to HK, get a room at Chung King Mansions $16-20, hit Golden Computing for a few, "errr, ummm" disks and fly out feeling like I had scored bigtime. Maybe some antibiotics and a few other more exotic meds.
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Old 02-24-2010, 09:40 PM   #16
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But it really looked like about a 20 minute effort. Finding things, doing the writing and stuff. So I was a bit guilty to just toss away $10.
Lessee... $10 for 20 minutes is $30/hour, tax free.

Yup, I'd do it.
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Old 02-25-2010, 05:36 AM   #17
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Lessee... $10 for 20 minutes is $30/hour, tax free.

Yup, I'd do it.
How is that tax free?

Is that not required to be claimed on federal, state and local income tax returns?
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Old 02-25-2010, 05:40 AM   #18
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I wouldn't give my information to a marketer for $10.
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Old 02-25-2010, 06:23 AM   #19
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How is that tax free?

Is that not required to be claimed on federal, state and local income tax returns?
Sure it's required. But does anyone actually remember to? Doing the tax return this year I included a source for $8.34, but only because we received the 1099DIV for it as a reminder. But the only way the store would be able to do that is to get my SS # and that ain't gonna happen.

Confession: I didn't report the free Coke from Jerry's Sub Shop as income either. Somehow I don't think the IRS cares.
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Old 02-25-2010, 07:24 AM   #20
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I received a gift card from Staples for $10 off on purchased over $75. I could go and stock up on printer paper. My LBYM tells me to make a purchase, but my body tells me the idea of hauling all the paper isn't worth saving the $10
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