I had to email freeipods.com once again because I had never received anything back from them. This time I got their obligatory automatic email response saying, "we're looking at your email - it could take 5 days to get back with you." At least it's something!

In the meantime I now have 4/5 referrals that are considered 'legit' by freeipods.com (thanks to Amber!). One more and all this correspondence will be a moot point.