The world is freebie-obsessed. Whether we’re breaking world records by asking our favourite restaurant for a free lifetime supply of nuggets or joining a two-hour long queue of 1,000 people just to get a free Krispy Kreme doughnut, there’s no underestimating the lengths people will go to for a freebie buzz. But when joining the freebie game, there are a few rules you should follow to make sure you’re making the most of it. And if you’re a seasoned free stuff hunter, you might learn a thing or two, too…
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Sometimes, the excitement of getting our hands on some of our favourite brands for free can sometimes cloud our judgement. As Professor Dan Ariely puts it: “Most transactions have an upside and a downside, but when something is free we forget the downside. Free gives us such an emotional charge that we perceive what is being offered as immensely more valuable than it really is”. Basically, it means we’ll happily forget about our good old friend common sense if we’re getting a freebie in return. And with some companies willing to sell your soul in exchange for a tiny sample, you need to make sure you know what you’re getting. Make sure the freebie sounds genuine (no, you won’t be getting a free £1,000 gift voucher for nothing anytime soon) and always read the terms and conditions so you know what you’re really signing up for.
Don’t expect too much
Full-sized freebies are pretty rare, with most free products being delivered in tiny sachets or small envelopes. The main goal is to try the product to see if you like it enough for a future purchase, so you’re not wasting your hard-earned cash forking out for something you might not enjoy. Also, don’t expect to receive every freebie you’ve applied for. Even if you’ve claimed every free sample going, it’s likely that you’ll only receive 70% of them. If you find that your incoming mail is a little sparse, don’t give up hope – keep applying, and you’ll be swimming in freebies in no time. To make sure applying for a freebie is worth your time, check the T&Cs to see how many samples are available and how big the product will be.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get
It’s always worth writing letters to companies or sending them an email and asking if they have any samples that you can try. People have also been sent huge boxes of free items or money-off vouchers when contacting businesses to let them know that they’re really enjoying their products. Equally, if you don’t like something, say. You’ll find companies are only too happy to dish out replacement freebies plus extra if their products aren’t up to scratch.
Don’t feel guilty
Don’t worry, your favourite companies aren’t losing out on millions of pounds just because you’ve ordered a few free products. In fact, they’re benefiting more than you’d think. For every sample packaged and sent out, there’s the potential for a brand new customer. And let’s face it, if you get given a product for free and you really enjoy it, you’re likely to buy it again.
Set up a second email address
This might just be the most important tip for anyone wanting to claim free products. To avoid receiving spam mail and unwanted calls, you’ll need to set up a second email address, social media accounts, telephone numbers – all of which you’ll need to claim freebies. You’ll thank me later.
