corporate exploitation at DVinfo.net

Dylan Couper · October 23rd, 2003, 02:44 PM

OK, the title may be a little misleading... :)

I'm wondering if anyone here, in any walk of the video or photo or media circles, ever uses their occupation to get free stuff?

For example, my dad is a writer/journalist and gets loads of free things, from dinners to electronics for reviews, to occasional trips, to free passes for events and such, depending on what he is writing.

Does anyone in this type of business ever get stuff like that? And if so, how?

My motive in asking is that I'll be back in Florida in December and I want to go to Disneyland free. Trying to figure out how I can.

K. Forman · October 23rd, 2003, 02:47 PM

Apply for a job.

Frank Granovski · October 23rd, 2003, 02:49 PM

Promote products you believe in, and some freebies will come to you without asking; but it is better to ask.

J. Clayton Stansberry · October 23rd, 2003, 02:50 PM

Just an idea - never done it: Tell them you are doing a Documentary and need to research the park...of course embellish the story more than that. Then, after you research, tell them that you ran out of funds.

Just an idea. I don't know any other way to get free stuff in a business other than lying, or rather bending the truth a little, or just flat out demanding something from someone or company. I would like to know how too. I am no sales-person/sweet-talker and could also use the help. Oh, and I don't have the best luck in the world...fancy that!

Dylan Couper · October 23rd, 2003, 03:05 PM

Well, I don't want to outright lie about it.
And I definitely don't want a J O B ! (thanks Keith ;)

I could do a short documentary piece, not a bad idea.

Other thoughts?

J. Clayton Stansberry · October 23rd, 2003, 03:25 PM

Yeah, I hate lying, that's why I gave you the idea...because I could never do it...but a short doc would be cool...make sure it's a "behind the scenes" doc about the office life of upper management...they'll be the one's with the ability to give you the most stuff!

Don Donatello · October 27th, 2003, 04:04 PM

stay at a hotel that includes a "free " pass ??

Jeff Donald · October 27th, 2003, 04:12 PM

Get your Dad to send you to Disneyland to research a story.

John Locke · October 28th, 2003, 02:09 AM

Dylan,

In my experience, "free" is usually anything but. I get wined and dined all the time with my day job...but only in exchange for time to listen to what they want to say--which often goes well beyond a dinner and can turn into numerous meetings, e-mails, telephone calls. And freebies come with the same hitch...giving time in exchange, or promises to do trial runs, give feedback, etc.

So before accepting freebies, I always weigh whether I'm willing to "get into bed" with this person--so to speak. ;)

Chris Hurd · October 29th, 2003, 08:01 AM

TANSTAAFL

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

You wind up paying, one way or another.

Includes amusement parks -- pay the two dollars!

Dylan Couper · October 29th, 2003, 08:39 AM

Chris, I don't know the last time you've been to Disney, but it's a bit more than two bucks now. You aren't dating yourself, are you? (j/k)

Thanks for the advice so far guys. Will let you know what happens.

October 23rd, 2003, 02:44 PM	#1
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	corporate exploitation OK, the title may be a little misleading... :) I'm wondering if anyone here, in any walk of the video or photo or media circles, ever uses their occupation to get free stuff? For example, my dad is a writer/journalist and gets loads of free things, from dinners to electronics for reviews, to occasional trips, to free passes for events and such, depending on what he is writing. Does anyone in this type of business ever get stuff like that? And if so, how? My motive in asking is that I'll be back in Florida in December and I want to go to Disneyland free. Trying to figure out how I can. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

October 23rd, 2003, 02:50 PM	#4
J. Clayton Stansberry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 316	Just an idea - never done it: Tell them you are doing a Documentary and need to research the park...of course embellish the story more than that. Then, after you research, tell them that you ran out of funds. Just an idea. I don't know any other way to get free stuff in a business other than lying, or rather bending the truth a little, or just flat out demanding something from someone or company. I would like to know how too. I am no sales-person/sweet-talker and could also use the help. Oh, and I don't have the best luck in the world...fancy that! __________________ I understand everything about nothing.

October 23rd, 2003, 03:05 PM	#5
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Well, I don't want to outright lie about it. And I definitely don't want a J O B ! (thanks Keith ;) I could do a short documentary piece, not a bad idea. Other thoughts? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

October 23rd, 2003, 03:25 PM	#6
J. Clayton Stansberry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 316	Yeah, I hate lying, that's why I gave you the idea...because I could never do it...but a short doc would be cool...make sure it's a "behind the scenes" doc about the office life of upper management...they'll be the one's with the ability to give you the most stuff! __________________ I understand everything about nothing.

October 27th, 2003, 04:12 PM	#8
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Get your Dad to send you to Disneyland to research a story. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 23rd, 2003, 02:47 PM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Apply for a job.

October 23rd, 2003, 02:49 PM	#3
Frank Granovski Outer Circle Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hope, BC Posts: 7,524	Promote products you believe in, and some freebies will come to you without asking; but it is better to ask.

October 27th, 2003, 04:04 PM	#7
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	stay at a hotel that includes a "free " pass ??

October 28th, 2003, 02:09 AM	#9
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Dylan, In my experience, "free" is usually anything but. I get wined and dined all the time with my day job...but only in exchange for time to listen to what they want to say--which often goes well beyond a dinner and can turn into numerous meetings, e-mails, telephone calls. And freebies come with the same hitch...giving time in exchange, or promises to do trial runs, give feedback, etc. So before accepting freebies, I always weigh whether I'm willing to "get into bed" with this person--so to speak. ;) __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

October 29th, 2003, 08:01 AM	#10
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	TANSTAAFL There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. You wind up paying, one way or another. Includes amusement parks -- pay the two dollars! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

October 29th, 2003, 08:39 AM	#11
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	Chris, I don't know the last time you've been to Disney, but it's a bit more than two bucks now. You aren't dating yourself, are you? (j/k) Thanks for the advice so far guys. Will let you know what happens. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com