Let’s face it: Companies only do business if people are buying their product. One of the best marketing ploys for promoting a product is to give people something for nothing – the freebie. Free samples are a great marketing technique – not only does the customer become familiar with the product and packaging, but also giving the customer a feeling of goodwill to the company. (They want my business enough to give me something.) Customers also feel that the product must be good. After all, the company is giving it away so they must know that once I try it then I’ll want to keep buying it.
Freebies come in all shapes and sizes – health and beauty products, magazines, food items, software, books, and clothing, to name a few, not to mention coupons and sales. Nearly every kind of product imaginable can be had with a little searching. (Homeschoolers – this is a great way to supplement your curriculum!)
The internet is a great place to find these free samples. There is an overwhelming number of sites that specialize in finding freebies. Most are free (if there is a charge – steer away!) and provide a continually updating links to companies giving out free samples. Some also offer a daily or weekly email with the newest freebies, so you don’t have to keep scouring the site. Links on the sites take you to the product’s website, often directly to the freebie sign up page. Many sites add further details, as well as allowing users to post their own experience with the freebie. I’ll give you a list of my favorites at the bottom.
So how do you make sure you get something for free without losing your shirt, too? Follow some basic (and commonsense) rules.
Don’t use your primary email address for “freebie hunting”. You can get a “disposable” email address to use for your freebie forays for free from Yahoo!, Hotmail, and many others. It only takes a few minutes, and this will keep your inbox from getting flooded. (Yes, you will get spam. Anytime you give anyone your email address, you risk getting ads, just like in the mail. Just deal with it. Oh, and you will probably give your postal carrier a hernia from all the junk mail that you’ll get along with your freebies, but you always thought he had shifty eyes anyway.)
Check out the freebie site’s webpage closely. Some will require that you sign up (usually just an email address and password.) They are, by their very nature, ad sponsored, and some get kickbacks for your “click throughs”. If they want a lot more information, check the next one. Most are just list of links, not the actual companies that are giving away the freebies, so they shouldn’t need more than a userid/email address and a password. If they ask for your address, etc. they may be up to something.
When you find a good site and a freebie that looks good to you, keep your eyes open. Look at where the link takes you. Is it the company’s website? If you were directed elsewhere, don’t bother to sign up. Usually these “clearing houses” will require you to sign up for further offers (often credit card offers!) in order to get your “sample.” (Ditto sites offering “full size” samples.) One hint – if the website has a huge paragraph of “legaleese” on the first page, hit the back button quick. Your “freebie” is probably going to cost you more than you’re bargaining for.
Once you get to the free offer on the company’s website, look over the sign up page and any terms of service. Does it ask for information you’re not comfortable giving? Most legit offers will need just the basics – your name, address and email address. Some will have a short survey they’d like you to complete. Most will also give you the option of signing up for email updates and offers (or letting you opt out.) (Here’s where that disposable email address comes in handy.)You’ll sometimes have to give your date of birth (at least the year) because some offers aren’t available to people under 18. Some will require you sign up as a “member” in order to get your sample. All of these are not a big deal, but if the offer wants your credit card, social security number, or other really personal info, don’t do it.
Actually, I even avoid ones where a phone number is required – it’s not worth my time to answer all those sale calls if my number ends up in the wrong hands. Many will ask for a phone number, but most don’t make that a required field.
Most legit companies will also tell you that they won’t sell or give their mailing list to other companies. If they don’t, make sure your read the fine print.
Be respectful. If the product isn’t something you would use or give to a friend, don’t sign up for it. Ditto for offers directed at businesses – it’s not ethical to take something that you don’t want just because it’s free. Remember, the company is giving these away, so they’re basically handing out money. Many of the companies giving away free samples are small online businesses without deep pockets, so be nice.
Be patient! Many freebies make take up to 6 – 8 weeks to arrive. (Although the spam seems to show up right away.)
Freebie fishing” can be a fun way to try out new products (including some that you might otherwise not buy), save a little money. And hey, who can resist something for free? If you’re willing to suffer a little junk mail (and spam), you can get some really cool stuff. As long as you use common sense: guard your “very personal” personal info (i.e. anything that can be used to steal your identity), use a disposable email address, and read the fine print, you can happily hunt for that perfect bargain! Warning: I cannot be held responsible for your upcoming “freebie fishing” addiction. Happy hunting!
