'Chinese Democracy' is here! So about that free Dr. Pepper?

So today's the big day. Fourteen years in the making, Guns N' Roses' "Chinese Democracy" unofficially kicks off the 2008 holiday shopping season. While the band is getting all sorts of cozy with Best Buy for the release, another major corporate brand seems to be reaping all the benefits of Axl's work.

Dr. Pepper, which earlier this year pledged to give soda to everyone in America if "Chinese Democracy" came out this year, is now making good on its promise. That is, if you can actually access the company's website.

While the world may want some Guns N' Roses — the album has received millions of plays on MySpace — apparently people don't mess around when it comes to some free soda-pop. As of mid-Sunday afternoon, Dr. Pepper is owning seven (SEVEN!) of the top 10 slots on Google Trends, as evidenced below. Look, the only mention of the actual band Guns N' Roses is paired with the beverage:

But if you go to Dr. Pepper's actual website to try to snare a voucher for your free soda, good luck. You'll likely get a server error. As earlier reported, the free Dr. Pepper was supposed to be just a one-day promotion. Those who fill out a form will receive a coupon redeemable for one soda in 4 to 6 weeks, according to the site. But unprepared for the demand, will Dr. Pepper extend the promotion? Here's hoping, as Pop & Hiss doesn't want to see what happens to a country full of citizens who are denied their free soda. Update: Dr. Pepper has extended the offer until 6 p.m. on Monday.

— Todd Martens

Photo by Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[LaLa Lady]

You can also request the coupon by calling 1-888-DrPepper

[Greg Artkop]

Call 1-888DRPEPPER, they'll help you out

[jill]

on hold with dr. pepper. chinese democracy indeed.

[Thomas Hankins]

Have No Comment

[stuart]

or you could stop being such a fat nation and trying to get free fizzy juice and listen to the album. its no wonder the whole world thinks your a joke

[Leigh]

FREE Dr. Pepper ? hmmm ... website has been down all day... phone # is busy... Top seven slots for Google search..... #8 search slot is "Free Dr. Pepper Coupon"... WHAT A SCAM...

[Jack]

Funny how Dr. Pepper's entire website is working perfectly with no delays... except for the pages to get the free coupon. You's think if the volume was killing their wensite, it would affect the whole website??

[JB]

I used their 'contact us' page to send them an e-mail informing them of my trouble with accessing their site and calling their customer service number. I asked them to submit my information and send me the free coupon. I received an automated reply and I will be keeping that for my records in the event this whole thing blows up in Dr Pepper's face and we all get something out of it. Have fun trying.

[ladyli1]

You can not get in the web site or the several phone numbers are busy! They need to extend the deadline to keep the good will.

[W Myers]

I used the text version of their website and actually got through that way. The whole "flash" thing sucks up too much bandwidth for a promotion like this......IMO

Personally I am disappointed. I wanted a printable coupon so I could sit back today and listen to GNR and sip the Dr.

[Keith]

Go back to Soviet Russia "stuart" and enjoy your turnip juice.

[Mike]

Internet and phone lines tied up all day. What a way for the company to save money and renig on its commitment to supply a free "Dr . Pepper to every American". I call the company a fraud and a bunch of scammers. I think everyone should boycott Dr. Pepper until they actually fullfill their obligation and need to extend the promotion due to their short-handedness when manning the phones and their computer servers incapability to handle the incoming requests.

[Alex]

"or you could stop being such a fat nation and trying to get free fizzy juice and listen to the album. its no wonder the whole world thinks your a joke"

So, listening to Guns N Roses will make the world take us more seriously? REALLY?

[zapora]

Stuart you are a moron. If people want to get a free soda there's nothing wrong with that. I think soda and the new album are both horrible, but that's just my opinion.

[Doris Coup]

Need free coupon for Dr. Pepper

[Ly]

I tried the # and the website, all for nothing; nobody answered. SCAM?

[Ted]

Behold the power of word of mouth marketing particulary when it comes to beverages. We've been having fun watching, http://fizzcorp.com/blog/?p=23, then encouraging people to take part, http://fizzcorp.com/blog/?p=61, since March. What started off as a lark turned into a full blown experiment fully involving our Fizz Corp as well as what we do at Fizz every day. Owning 7 of the top 10 Google trends at one point today, the flooded phone banks and the over taxed servers all stand in testiment to the power of a well organized word of mouth campaign. Hope you all got your DP on today.

[jerry seinfeld]

"or you could stop being such a fat nation and trying to get free fizzy juice and listen to the album. its no wonder the whole world thinks your a joke"

It's no wonder the whole world thinks YOU'RE a joke.

Must be nice to speak for the rest of the world. Next time, check your grammar. I don't want you to embarrass the entire world with your spelling.

[Fearls1]

stuart, you are the joke... Why waste your time to post your view that you hate Americans. We have a great country that people die for. This is what America is about! FREE!!

[George]

Hey stuart keep on being an obnoxious, holier-than-thou self-righteous punk blathering on about your national superiority.

And be sure to demonize Americans as obese idiots just because they wanted a free soda.

Really. Just keep going with that.

[Down Jones]

Dr.Pepper website hasn't worked ALL DAY! This promotion is an absolute joke!

[BA]

The site now says they had an unexpected response, and are increasing server size, and will extend the offer, more details to come, so don't give up hope yet!

[chuck d]

i got my free coupon , but if you don't get one stop being a jew and just buy one, i bought the album so i'm supporting the free drpepper, stop all this boycot bullsh*t, if you like the drink , well then drink it if not don't don't cry about not getting a free one...grow up

[Ted]

I agree with Stuart!

[Linda]

I hate when companies say they are going to give you something free and don"t follow through on their promise, to me that is a rip off! And then tell you to call in and the phone is busy all day!!!!!!!! A second rip off !!!!!!!