Collaborative post:
The 21st century is a century of freebie obsession. Regardless of whether you are breaking world records by asking favourite restaurants for lifetime supplies of nuggets or joining a long queue of people to get a bag of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, there is no underestimating the power of the freebie buzz.
Unfortunately, when joining this freebie game, there are certain rules that need to be followed. If you are a seasoned freebie hunter or a new hunter, there are always a few new rules to be learned.
1. If It Sounds Too Good To Be True, It Most Probably Is
The majority of the time, the excitement of a freebie hunt for favourite brands can cloud a person’s judgement. According to Karen Newman from MegaFreeStuff, most transactions will have both an upside and a downside but when it is a free transaction the downside is forgotten. “Free” often gives a person an emotional charge leading to a perception that the item offered is more valuable. Basically, this means that a person will forget about common sense when receiving a freebie and is the reason why some companies will exchange a person’s soul for even the tiniest sample.
To ensure that the freebie is as good as it sounds, it is important that you always read the terms and conditions of the item. No company will ever offer a free £1,000 voucher without you having to do something in return, so it is essential you know what you are signing up for.
2. Do Not Expect Too Much
A full-sized freebie is very rare with the majority of free products being presented in small envelopes or sachets. The main objective of any freebie hunter is to try the product and figure out if you enjoy it enough to opt for a future purchase of the item. This will ensure that you are not wasting your hard-earned income on a product that you will not enjoy using.
Also, do not expect to receive a freebie after every application – only the amateur freebie hunter holds this belief. In fact, statistics show that freebie hunters only receive approximately 70% of freebies they have applied for. If you find that you are not receiving freebies after applying, do not give up hope! Keep the applications rolling in and you will be swimming in freebies soon enough. Of course, to be sure that these applications are worthwhile, always check the terms and conditions to see which samples are available and the size of the item.
3. If You Do Not Ask, You Do Not Receive
It is always worthwhile writing letters to companies or sending emails asking if they have samples you can try. People sending this type of communication tend to be sent huge boxes of free products or vouchers letting them know to find out if they enjoy the items. Equally, if you do not like the product you should share this information. You will find that the companies are too happy to dish out replacement freebies with extra items if they discover you are not pleased.
4. Do Not Feel Guilty
Some people feel guilty about asking for freebies – do NOT feel this way! Almost all of your favourite companies are happy to offer a few free products to potential customers. In fact, companies will benefit from passing out free samples and are not losing any money. If you receive a free product and enjoy using the item, the chances are likely that you will purchase the item; therefore, the company benefits by gaining a new customer.
5. Setting up A Second Email Address
This may be the most significant tip for any person wanting to become a freebie hunter. To avoid receiving any spam emails and unwanted phone calls, it is recommended that you set up a second email address, social media account and phone number. All of these second accounts will be used to claim freebies.
Sarah x
