Right kids, who wants a cookie?

[Jondot]

You? Excellent.

http://digg.com/autos/I_try_to_get_a_brand_new_car_for_free_Will_probably_fail

I've come up with a zany and absolutely idiotic scheme to get myself a semi-free car. Which probably won't work.

All the same, do me a favour and digg this. It might give me even the faintest chance at making it work. It probably still won't, but all the same.

If it works, I'll buy everyone something baked and doughy. Or if it really works, I'll do something better. Premium or something. Or a pot plant. Blatant bribery at its finest.

And yes, I'm aware of the fact that this is a stupid idea and won't work. Do you want your cookie or not?

 

[WallRunner]

Dugg, but I can't comment in FF3 at Digg for some reason, nor read them, so a Digg is all you'll get.

From,
Chris.

 

[Jondot]

Dugg, but I can't comment in FF3 at Digg for some reason, nor read them, so a Digg is all you'll get.

From,
Chris.

Thank you muchly, enjoy your cookie.

 

[Muzaffar]

Jon, is this really gonna work? I've seen ads which are a little tempting and brilliantly done but this one takes the cake for sheer awesomeness..... 👍 So how do you plan out on making this work? Do you think people will actually help you and pay £15 just for a logo to be put up on your car? If I were you I rather get a scooter more than anything. Unless you already have one, then maybe a second hand car would be good, just let it be cheap. Doesn't matter if its a P50 or a Proton or even a junk car, anything on wheels will probably be good enough. If your strapped for cash, then beg your parents to sponsor you, or become a part time beggar/busker/bouncer/pro.... on the street or something. 👍

But if you really want to spread the word out, post your links on myspace, facebook, friendster and pretty much everywhere on the internet. Tell your family and friends about it and ask them to tell everyone else, put up posters, advertise, etc.

If this really works I'm will quit studying and do exactly like what you did.

 

[Jondot]

Jon, is this really gonna work?

Probably not. It'd be nice if it did, though.

I've seen ads which are a little tempting and brilliantly done but this one takes the cake for sheer awesomeness..... 👍 So how do you plan out on making this work? Do you think people will actually help you and pay £15 just for a logo to be put up on your car?

People? No. Companies? ...ok still no, but they're slightly more likely to. To get it to work there's going to be a LOT of effort involved. Like... very little in terms of return. Think me emailing 100 companies and getting a response from 1.

If I were you I rather get a scooter more than anything. Unless you already have one, then maybe a second hand car would be good, just let it be cheap. Doesn't matter if its a P50 or a Proton or even a junk car, anything on wheels will probably be good enough. If your strapped for cash, then beg your parents to sponsor you, or become a part time beggar/busker/bouncer/pro.... on the street or something. 👍

But if you really want to spread the word out, post your links on myspace, facebook, friendster and pretty much everywhere on the internet. Tell your family and friends about it and ask them to tell everyone else, put up posters, advertise, etc.

Scooter? Oh god no. Proton? *scream* I figured a new car because who wants their logo on a hunk of junk?

As I say, it probably won't work. I just thought I'd give it a try. Thanks for your input though

If this really works I'm will quit studying and do exactly like what you did.

If this really works I'll die of shock.

 

[Speedster502]

I've "dug" it as the case may be.

 

[Jondot]

I've "dug" it as the case may be.

Thankies. You too may nibble at the above biscuity goodness.




Seriously guys, it would be fantastic if this worked. Not just because of the car, but because of the impossibility of the task and the fact that it could be done. I think maybe a free GTP logo on the side is in order.

 

[McLaren]

I'll give you 50 pounds if you put "Wish I Had An Aztec."

In seriousness, it's an interesting idea. Lots of folks in the US can make some good money, though they have 1 company logo plastered all over. Thus, I'm curious to see if it would be possible to have logos of anything but a company and still make money. The other problem though, is that you'll most likely have people thinking, "OMG, thIz iz stUp1D. H3y, pU7 4 p3N1S 0n 1t" or something as equally dumb.

But, if you can actually get this plan working, I may send a few bucks your way if you put "I drive like James May".

 

[ExigeEvan]

I've heard of people getting enough from advertising to cover insurance, but a whole car?

And what sort of mileage will you be covering? I need to know how many people will see it

 

[Jondot]

I'll give you 50 pounds if you put "Wish I Had An Aztec."

Done. Nobody knows what an Atzec is over here. We live in a blissful ignorance of GM's design tragedies. Well, that one anyway.

In seriousness, it's an interesting idea. Lots of folks in the US can make some good money, though they have 1 company logo plastered all over. Thus, I'm curious to see if it would be possible to have logos of anything but a company and still make money. The other problem though, is that you'll most likely have people thinking, "OMG, thIz iz stUp1D. H3y, pU7 4 p3N1S 0n 1t" or something as equally dumb.

Well the theory being that it was mainly going to be for organisations and companies, with the occasional blog address or something. I'm happy to accept other stuff though - as long as it's not infantile. I posted this to get a little popularity behind it, to be honest - not ask for donations But y'know, if people want to donate I'm happy to accept (depending on what they want written).

But, if you can actually get this plan working, I may send a few bucks your way if you put "I drive like James May".

Are you kidding? It's a Citroen C1 with 68bhp - of course I'm going to drive like James May. I'll have no choice!

I've heard of people getting enough from advertising to cover insurance, but a whole car?

And what sort of mileage will you be covering? I need to know how many people will see it

That's what's going to be tricky. It'll only work if I get a hell of a lot of stuff on it - we're talking 75% covered in stuff. I'm prepared to put some cash into it myself to make it work. Mileage? Oooh, plenty. In particular, it'd be sitting in the school car park for all 830 students to see.

 

[Jim Prower]

Keys to making this work:

1: get your name out there. talk to the local news crew, see if they're interested. You could become a national phemnomenon.
2: try getting Citroen themselves, and other companies, onboard, once your name's out there.

It's one of those oddball ideas that could take the world by storm. You've just gotta put your foot out there.

 

[ExigeEvan]

Oh and double check the legality of it. Local trading standards or advertising watchdog, something like that.

 

[Max Powers]

Just so you know, you misspelled 'manner' on your digg page. Anyway, I dug it, it's an interesting idea.

 

[Jondot]

Keys to making this work:

1: get your name out there. talk to the local news crew, see if they're interested. You could become a national phemnomenon.
2: try getting Citroen themselves, and other companies, onboard, once your name's out there.

It's one of those oddball ideas that could take the world by storm. You've just gotta put your foot out there.

Right, I've emailed my local news channel and Citroen. Thanks for the tips

Oh and double check the legality of it. Local trading standards or advertising watchdog, something like that.

Righto, read up on just about as much trading standards bits and bobs as I can bear for one day. I'm exempt from most of the stuff because I'm not actually sending them a product or storing their details anywhere. Most stuff has been cleared up on the 'legal' page though. Cheers 👍

Just so you know, you misspelled 'manner' on your digg page. Anyway, I dug it, it's an interesting idea.

Oh god, I knew something wasn't right there Oh well, can't edit it now but thanks anyway. And thanks for the digg. 👍

 

[superberkut]

Put shortly, I dug it. Very original idea, more than the guy trading a paper clip for a house...

Edit: I couldn't do that, could not set up space for an account. Sorry, Jondot.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Dugg.

 

[Casio]

I'll give you $20 today if you write "Brad Rules" on the side of it.

 

[Jondot]

Put shortly, I dug it. Very original idea, more than the guy trading a paper clip for a house...

Edit: I couldn't do that, could not set up space for an account. Sorry, Jondot.

Thanks anyways 👍

Dugg.

Cheers 👍

I'll give you $20 today if you write "Brad Rules" on the side of it.

Happy to. Although at that price it'd be 3.5 inches big and so may not exactly have the desired effect Think 1 square.

 

[Spock]

Dugg + Comment.

 

[Jondot]

Cheers Spock 👍


I've since emailed Autoblog (not that they'll pay any attention) and something called 1stCar magazine - a mag distributed throughout colleges and sixth forms about owning your first car.

Oh, and if anyone's a facebooker: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33361250125

 

[GM]

Dugg, I like the idea

 

[Driving Park]

I "dug" it. Sounds interesting. Maybe if you get 50,000 minor sponsorships or one mammoth sponsorship from Microsoft worth $10 billion, you'll get it.

:-)

 

[Jondot]

Cheers guys :tup:

I've got a bit of an update. I was considering maybe changing the car to something a little more charismatic, like a Beetle (*shudder*) or a Mini, or even a C4 Coupe, but Citroen have just emailed me:

Dear Sir

Thank you for your e-mail dated 10 August 2008.

We were delighted to receive your e-mail. Customer feedback is always appreciated and I would like to thank you for taking the time to write to us. I have bought your comments to the attention of both the Press and Advertising Departments, and should they wish to contact you to discuss this matter further, they will contact you directly.

May we take this opportunity to wish you all the best with your future endeavour, if we can be of assistance in the future, please contact our Citroën Contact Centre on 0844 463 3500.

Yours faithfully
CITROËN UK LIMITED


MARIANNE WAREHAM
CITROËN CONTACT CENTRE

I know it's not exactly a jumping up and down with excitement about the idea kind of email, but I'm glad they're actually listening. I was beginning to think they just didn't care. Anyway, I emailed them saying it'd be a C1, so I'm going to sit tight and see if anyone from the press/advertising dept.s drop me a line before I reconsider anything.

 

[Loon]

That's really cool, hopefully you'll even more attention. Good luck.👍

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Keys to making this work:

1: get your name out there. talk to the local news crew, see if they're interested. You could become a national phemnomenon.
2: try getting Citroen themselves, and other companies, onboard, once your name's out there.

It's one of those oddball ideas that could take the world by storm. You've just gotta put your foot out there.

Yep. Go for it. I mean, who would ever have thought that Million Dollar Homepage would work.

Oh, and did you read the story of the iPhone app that displays a jewel on the screen, and costs a thousand dollars?

It's at times like this that I realise just how little inspiration I have.

 

[Formula1Driver]

Pretty cool idea, hopefully you can get some attention from big companies. Maybe you should set up an auction or something on eBay?

 

[GTP_CaptainSlow]

But, if you can actually get this plan working, I may send a few bucks your way if you put "I drive like James May".

Are you kidding? It's a Citroen C1 with 68bhp - of course I'm going to drive like James May. I'll have no choice!

Driving fast is over-rated.

And "Man love rules OK" and "Nascar sucks" are good phrases to write on the side of a car.

 

[Jondot]

Cheers Loon

Yep. Go for it. I mean, who would ever have thought that Million Dollar Homepage would work.

Oh, and did you read the story of the iPhone app that displays a jewel on the screen, and costs a thousand dollars?

It's at times like this that I realise just how little inspiration I have.

Thanks And I did see that 'I am rich' thing, yeah

Pretty cool idea, hopefully you can get some attention from big companies. Maybe you should set up an auction or something on eBay?

Funnily enough, I had considered selling bits of it off that way. The only thing is, I don't know if it'd conflict with ebay's policy somewhere or other.

Driving fast is over-rated.

And "Man love rules OK" and "Nascar sucks" are good phrases to write on the side of a car.

I'll bear that in mind .

 

[Danster]

Wow! What an amazing... Idea! Do you have the "Pets at Home" chain in Kent? E-mail them, they will probably be very acceptant of your idea.

 

[Jondot]

Pets at home? Really? Alright, I'll give them a go - not for a while though. I'm waiting to see if Citroen will email me again before I email any more companies - I might still change the car depending on whether Citroen are interested in participating in some way. If they're not bothered (I'll give it a week), I'll email Mazda, Ford, Toyota, Fiat and any others I can think of (like all at once) and see who replies.