On Tuesday I wrote about how Internet Opinion Group gave me the run around again. One thing that I failed to mention was that my gift status had “expired” on the IOG website. However, when I checked it again a couple days later my status had switched to “shipped.”

I did not receive an email, tracking number or phone call about any shipped item. What I did receive was a check in the mail today for six hundered dollars. Below is what it said in the memo section:

Dear InternetOpinionGroup.com Customer,

Due to the overwhelming demand, PalmOne Treo 650 gifts are in short supply. Please accept this $600 check as a replacement for the gift. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact us at support_tier1@internetopiniongroup.com or (512) 652-9015.

Enjoy!
-The InternetOpinionGroup.com Team

You may be shocked to learn that I am conflicted over this development. While I am extremely happy about getting cash — especially considering my frustration over this offer — the fact remains that I am not forced to use the money to buy the Treo 650. There are a dozen other things I can think of buying. If I did get the smartphone at least there are enough rebates that I would have a few hundered left over for accessories (and more).

I called Internet Opinion Group again yesterday to check on the status of my “free gift.” Four weeks ago I was told that it was being expedited and that I would receive something in two to four weeks. The line I got last night was that they were still waiting on a shipment of Treo 650’s that was expected in at least two weeks.

The good news is that some people are receiving their gifts. The bad news is that the next generation Treo may be on the market before long.

As illkraft says in this thread on Scam.com, “Finally, someone else that bit at the Treo 650 bait.” He is in the same boat as I am — waiting forever for a promised reward from Internet Opinion Group. They are now going to send him a check for the retail value of the Treo. I will be keeping up with the bulletin board to see if they deliver on their promise.

As I mentioned on the Scam.com forum, I called IOG earlier this week and got a stock answer (product out of stock, we’ll expedite your order, it’ll be 2 - 4 weeks, etc.). We will see if a Treo arrives. This fish needs gills, because I do not think I can hold my breath that long.

I have started posting photos with our little Canon A400, since I refuse to let that promised — but noticably absent — free Treo 650 keep me from photoblogging. Who knows, it may never come? Let that be a warning to anyone thinking of signing up for anything “free” on the internet.

To make matters worse, my PC is acting up. It keeps crashing when I am doing resource intensive work, like editing pictures in Photoshop Elements. Things just keep going from bad to worse. Prior to this I tried uninstalling and reinstalling PSE several times in the hopes that I could save photos correctly. It locks up on everything except for ‘Save for Web.’ Although I mostly post photos to the web, it has still been a handicap.

If I do get a new computer, it will either be a Mac Mini, a Shuttle or some cheap laptop. I have been toying with the idea of switching to Apple for some time, but the cost has always scared me off. If I stick with a PC, I need to consider the fact that Longhorn comes out in 2006. Seeing as how a nice 64 bit system is out of my price range, I will be looking at the low end of the PC spectrum.

I am finished posting the DSLR photos from Ron’s Nikon. Unfortunately, the status on my gift offer from Internet Opinion Group has not changed. It looks like they are going to make me wait the full eight weeks before they pony up my Treo 650.

In view of the amount of money I ended up spending out of pocket — the tons of spam I have received — and the frustration of waiting for so long — I wish I had just saved my pennies and bought a smartphone off the shelf. I am sure that when (if) I finally get it my mood will change. Guys like Josiah do this successfully all the time and get free iPods, iPod Shuffles and PSPs.