Worried about rising oil prices? Microsoft responds by giving away 5000 gallons of gas

By Davey Winder
Friday, 04 July 2008 18:28

Strategy

As headlines go it is an unusual one, but true nonetheless. Microsoft is giving its small business customers who supply their contact data the chance to win 5,000 gallons of gas. Conditions do, of course, apply...

Visitors to the Microsoft Small Business 'Money Saving Tips' website are being offered the chance to save more than a few bucks here and there by following the self-promotional suggestions they find there. One lucky visitor will be able to breathe easily at the petrol station, filling up with 5,000 gallons of gas courtesy of Microsoft.

The site is aimed squarely at the small business owner in the United States, and poses as a money saving advice centre. The five tips on offer all, unsurprisingly, revolve around the use of Microsoft products.

So, for example, we are informed that we could save money by making our own business cards using MS Office Publisher. Or how about switching to Windows Vista to save energy costs when compared to running a non-Vista machine? You are not alone in finding that one a little hard to swallow, but Microsoft insist that typically you could save USD $70.77 (AUD $73.45) every year if you switched.

But if you scroll past the nonsense you hit the money saving mother lode: the 'Click here to win 5,000 gallons of gas' button.

Of course, nothing in this life is for nothing. Clicking on the button and we discovered that although there is no purchase necessary, there are some conditions attached. For a start you have to be the owner of a small business. A small business legally domiciled in the United States. A small business that employees between 2 and 100 people.

What does the prize actually consist of, and are you eligible to win it? Find out on the next page, aloing with the closing date for entries...

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