BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO FREE STUFF

Ok, who can say they don't like getting something for free, eh? There's just something kinda 'fun' about it...However you may be asking, where do I start? Where do I find all this "Free Stuff?" What do I do? What about my privacy? Is it safe?
First a quick little marketing lesson. Companies and corporations know that the best way to improve customer loyalty is to get their products in the hands of the consumers - you and me!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN
1. Before you start filling out requests for free samples you'll want to set up a separate FREE email account for this purpose. Invariably you'll get additional email once you start requesting free samples - so unless you want your regular email address bogged down with a lot of 'extra' mail, I suggest you sign up for another email account for this purpose.

Some FREE email providers include: Gmail, Yahoo! and Hotmail.

2. Filling out all the forms can become tedious and monotonous. I suggest using a "FORM FILLER" - a tool that puts the information in the blanks for you. I suggest using "Roboform" which can be downloaded for FREE. Click the link below. I have used this tool for years and find it trouble-free. Be sure to read the program description information prior to downloading.
 



3. Learn to determine what is a 'legitimate' offer and what isn't. All the posts found on this blog will already be screened for legitimacy. 99.9% of the time - I've already taken advantage of the offer and/or know first hand that it is ok.

SO HOW DO YOU KNOW IF IT'S A LEGITIMATE OFFER?
1. Check to make sure the company with the offer provides you with a "Privacy Policy" and tells you how they handle your information.
2. If the website doesn't look professional or a 'real' company - then it probably isn't.
3. Don't give out any more information than would be 'reasonably expected' for the offer. I seldom give out my phone number (if required - the site should tell you "WHY" they are asking for it) If I don't feel comfortable with their "reason" I won't give it to them - I just use a 555 # to fill in the blanks for the freebie.
4. Remember this is JUST a 'freebie' - it's highly unlikely that you really "NEED" it and it certainly isn't worth compromising your personal information online for a 'freebie'.
5. If the offer REQUIRES you to complete an offer - it's not really a 'freebie'. Move away from these sites.

WE'RE ALMOST THERE
1. Be sure to read and re-read what is required to receive the freebie you're looking into. With Facebook, Twitter and other social media venues pining for your attention - companies are getting wise to the marketing potential they have and some freebie requests will require you to develop an account with Facebook or other social media network.  If you're not into that, you'll have to be prepared to let that freebie request go and move on to the next one.
2. "While Supplies Last" - Often there will be that little caveat in the fine print in a freebie you're signing up for that says "while supplies last" - it may appear that your request was taken and/or accepted but don't be surprised if the freebie doesn't come. It's just the way it goes sometimes.
3. Don't shoot the messenger!!  Freebie sites DO NOT OWN THE SAMPLES! There may be times when I'll offer a freebie as an incentive, but the sample offers that are posted are owned by the company who's product it is. I do not have any control over whether their offer gets pulled or if their link becomes broken or their server is slow, etc.  99.9% of all offers I post, I have tested and checked out for legitimacy. When you are requesting a free sample, you are doing this at your own risk and we have no control over the offers, the companies procedures or their availability.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST!

Please....
  1.  Leave comments when you receive a freebie as promised so that others reviewing the offer can take advantage of your experience.

    1. Wait an appropriate amount of time before saying an offer is false, fake or expired.  It often takes as long as 90 days before a freebie will arrive.
    2. Contact the web page administrator if you come across a broken link or an expired offer still posted and remember to be courteous when bringing this to their attention.
    3. Don't believe that the freebie sites own the samples - we don't!
    4. Don't blast the freebie sites with emails when your samples don't arrive or if a sample is no longer available.
    5. Know that mistakes happen even in the best environments and consideration and courtesy goes a lot farther in resolving and issue than critical comments.
      Well, with all that said - use common sense, read and re-read the fine print, be patient and don't expect the "the moon" and most of all HAVE FUN!



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