Free Stuff By Mail

Everyone loves to get free stuff by mail. However, anyone who gets freebies should keep in mind a few things as they sign up.

Free stuff makes getting the mail an exciting part of the day.

Rarely do companies offer the public products or free samples for no reason. Free items that come in the mail are actually marketing tools, used to lure consumers to purchase the full-size product or service linked to the freebie.

Mailing out promotional business gifts to potential customers is one way for a company to get its name out to many people at once. Often purchased in bulk for a low price, these free calendars, pens, pencils, magnets and mouse pads are mailed to people new in the area or whose name appears on a mailing list procured by the company in the hopes customers purchase the product or service being marketed.

Even large discount stores offer free items through the mail through programs like Walmart’s In Stores Now free samples and trials website. By partnering with companies to offer customers free samples, stores hope the next time a consumer needs to purchase detergent, he or she buys it at the store where the sample or freebie was obtained. Similarly, the namebrand company hopes the consumer likes the product and purchases more expensive branded item instead of the often cheaper generic version.

Do not be enticed to purchase a product or service just because you got free stuff by mail from the company. Master frugality and instead use the free items in daily life. If the quality is impressive, watch for coupons, sales and specials to save money.

Sometimes getting free stuff in the mail comes with a few catches. One commonly run promotion involves sending in UPCs from cereal boxes for free books or DVDs in the mail. However, rarely does the offer include free shipping. The customer is often asked to pay shipping and handling charges in situations that involve receiving full size products free. In these cases, weigh the value of the free item verse the shipping charges to decide if it is truly a good deal.

Trial offers for services frequently mailed to potential new customers. Yet customers often find out that the trials for free magazines for men or free magazines of home décor are notoriously hard to cancel. The fine print often says that a bill will be mailed after the first issue, upon which the customer can cancel.

Unfortunately, the Internet is flooded with stories about people who have had trouble trying to cancel free trial mail order subscription services, so use caution when signing up for free service subscriptions.

Filling out forms to get free things in the mail online, in stores or at booths usually involves answering a few questions about shopping habits, entering an address and an e-mail address. Read the fine print, because some companies will also mail or e-mail junk or offers from other companies. To avoid this, check or uncheck the appropriate box on the form.

By agreeing to get free stuff by mail, consumers should also practice good freebie etiquette. Not only is it the right thing to do, it helps save both the company and other consumers dollars, in the long run, which benefits everyone.

Practice good freebie etiquette by:

• Only signing up to get things in the mail that you actually want and will use.
• Signing up for just one sample or trial unless the company specifically says customers can get more than one item free.
• Letting the company know you appreciate the offers sent by giving it good reviews or sending an e-mail.
• Sharing favorite freebies with friends and family.

Using free things received in the mail is one little way to save money. It helps stretch the household budget a little further. Remember, freebies are a tactic companies use to market their product. They might come with a catch, so be sure to read the fine print. Just as consumers want companies to practice good relations, consumers who ask for free stuff through the mail should be courteous of company rules for requesting freebies.

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