Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
Free product samples (freebies) have gotten a bad rep. Overshadowed by the fear of stolen identities, potential loss of privacy, and the hounding of unwanted solicitation, even bold savers have foregone signing up for freebies. But there really is little to fear. And a lot to gain!
First, let's tackle the fears”¦
(1) The personal information requested to process a freebie is rarely anything thieves couldn't get elsewhere if so inclined. Plus, reputable sites are very secure and adhere to strict privacy policies.
(2) Providing a separate email address eliminates unwanted mail in your main inbox. And, if it gets to be too much, you can unsubscribe from lists to cut the clutter. (Most often the unsubscribe link is below the email's main body.)
Now, let's talk about some of the gains”¦
(1) Getting freebies allows you to try products without a purchase commitment. The company's hope is you'll love their product and buy a full-sized one at the store.
(2) To further push toward a later purchase, most freebies include a coupon, sometimes more than one!
(3) Small freebies are perfect for travel, trips to the park, beach, or other outings, or to keep in your vehicle.
(4) They are nice to place in gift baskets or use as stocking stuffers.
In good faith, this article encourages taking advantage of legitimate freebies; ones offered by reputable companies, via trusted sites or the manufacturer's own site(s). Always beware of any “˜freebie' that sounds too good to be true. And never give out information you are not comfortable giving. Watch next week for the 2nd part of this 2-part article.
