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Free
Cars - Real Deal or Scam?
You've probably
seen the ads that claim to offer you a free car to drive. Are these
claims too good to be true — or are they real?
Almost, but
not quite. There's enough truth and real opportunity to make it
worth considering. These companies DO exist, and they DO pay people
to drive, and they DO provide free cars to drive. Real people are
currently participating and benefiting from these programs.
How
does it work?
In short, you
agree to drive a car that advertises some company's product or service.
Since you do the advertising, you get paid for your services or
you get a free car to drive. In some cases, you may get a free car
and get paid too.
The advertising
company "wraps" your car in an easily-removable paint-safe
vinyl film that contains an attractive graphic ad that promotes
a client company's product or service. For example, the ad might
promote a cell phone service or a new restaurant in town.
Some ads might
be "full-car" wraps (looks great on SUVs), partial wraps,
or simple window ads. Don't worry, you can see just fine through
your "wrapped" windows.
The company
offering the product or service pays the advertising company, and
the advertising company pays you to drive your own car or provides
you a free leased car with the advertising already applied. The
more money the advertising company collects from its clients, the
more money you stand to make.
The amount you
get paid, or whether you get a free car, depends primarily on three
factors:
- The number
of miles you drive per month
- Where you
drive
- Where you
park
Of course, you'll
be paid more and have a better chance at a free car if you drive
lots of miles and drive in a heavily populated and high traffic
area. In some cases, you may be asked to drive a specific route.
The more people that have a chance of seeing your car as it's being
driven or where it's parked, the greater your opportunity.
If you only
drive a few blocks back and forth to school in the suburbs, or drive
only to church on Sundays, you probably won't qualify for this kind
of program.
It's not too
difficult to figure out whether or not you might qualify for one
of these free car programs when you consider the objectives of the
advertisers. They simply want their ads to be seen by as many people
as possible in a specific area.
Free
cars - what's the catch ?
You have to
be at least 18 years old, have a drivers license, and have a good
driving record. You pay for insurance and, in some cases, for maintenance,
especially if you drive your own car.
New cars aren't
always available and you may not be able to drive the make/model
of your choice. However, depending on the company, you may have
enough choices that you can find something that you like.
You may or may
not be able to select the ad that goes on your car or the duration
that the ad stays on the car. Of course, if you don't like the ad
program, you can turn it down and wait for a better one. Most ads
are attractive and well designed so that you wouldn't be embarrassed
to be seen with it.
Keep in mind
that the "free" car belongs to the advertising company,
not you. At the end of the agreement, which could be as much as
five years, you give the car back.
Also remember
that the ad stays on your car 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You can't take it on and off. If this is your only car, you must
be prepared to drive the car everywhere you go — to weddings
and funerals, to work, to school, to the mall, and everywhere else
that you drive.
Competition
for these free cars is very heavy, outstripping demand in many cases.
It may take up to 90 days to get accepted into a program. Therefore,
you have to be well qualified and patient in your attempt to land
one of these deals. Free is not always easy.
But, for a free
car, it might all be worth it.
Free
cars - how do I sign up ?
There are many
advertising companies, in many different locations, that use this
form of advertising. Some companies only advertise in a specific
city or advertise certain types of products. Some provide new cars,
others only pay you to advertise using your own car, and some do
both. Some do full-car wraps, others may only do spot ads.
Therefore, the
best way to find the companies that would work best for you, where
you live and drive, is to "subscribe" to an information
directory that lists all such advertisers. These directories are
compiled and provided by companies who specialize in this kind of
service. There are a relatively small number of these companies,
who can be found on the Internet, in newspaper ads, and in auto-related
magazines.
There is typically
a one-time charge for the directory subscription, usually about
$30, and usually with a 90-day money-back guarantee, which gives
you enough time to determine if the directory is going to help you
land a deal.
Since the directory
is always changing and being updated, make sure you get a lifetime
"membership" if possible, and that all future updates
to the directory are free.
With the list
of advertising companies and contact information, it's up to you
to apply for their programs. Some directory companies offer help
with the application process, although you should not pay
extra for this service. And you should not pay
extra for a "premium" listing or to be placed
at the "top" of the list of applicants.
Be honest and
provide accurate information in your application. Most companies
will check your credentials. Of course, there are no guarantees
that you'll be accepted or that you'll find a deal that you like,
but completing an application is a small investment of your time
for the chance at a rewarding possibility.
Free
cars - where do I get the information I need ?
The following
companies listed below provide free-car and drive-for-pay program
directories. The directories include programs in the U.S. and other
countries all over the world. All of the companies have confirmed
money-back guarantees.
Subscribing
with more than one company might be somewhat beneficial but, generally,
it should be expected that one company's directory will be much
like another's.
Free
Car Index
- This is a complete database of companies that pay people to
drive free cars with advertisements on them — with instant
and unlimited online access. The data is well organized and updated
daily. The companies in the directory, collectively, have over
100,000 brand new vehicles wrapped in advertisements that are
ready to be driven. This company has a 90-day 100% money-back
satisfaction guarantee. Their directory only applies to residents
of the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, and France.
The
Free Car - We especially like this site because it
offers a great "Car Finder" that allows you to see if
there are advertisers in your area before you buy the service.
There is an online application process to shorten the procedure.
They also have a money-back guarantee and a nice free bonus product.
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