Totally Free Product Samples

Understanding the Free Sample Giveaway

Hundreds of companies are eager for consumers to sample a fresh line of products, an old favorite revamped, and even an item not on the weekly grocery list.

Handing out free products is a form of advertising and marketing, which is why there aren’t bins filled with freebies in every store all the time. Corporations use free sample distribution as a means to track:

• What items generate the biggest buzz.
• If certain markets or regions stimulate product demand more than others.
• Who does most of the sampling by age, gender, or some other type of demographic breakdown.

When you sign up for free samples online, you’ll be asked for your mailing information, and often an e-mail address and phone number. Sometimes, you’re also required to subscribe to a newsletter before receiving samples. If the enticement of freebies is worth more than the cost of divulging information, then you’ll find a wealth of products from which to choose.

A word of caution: some products, especially electronics, are not really “free.” Manufacturers regularly distribute overstock merchandise, but you will have to dig into your own pocket to make the product actually viable.

For example, many online sites offer “free” laptops, but quite often, you’re getting the casing without software. You’ll spend another $200-$500 to load the laptop with an operating system and any other programs you might need. Read each offer thoroughly before making a decision.

Popular and Totally Free Product Samples

These are some of the most widely distributed free products on the market.

Household Items

Whether you want to try a new dishwashing detergent or a scented air freshener, many manufacturers offer these products for free. The most popular combination is to buy a regular product, and a trial size of the new item is packaged along with it.

But, many online sites have freebies, too. Visit All Free Samples to find everything from dryer sheets to sandwich bags.

Personal Care Items

If you’re looking for a different shampoo, lotion, soap, razor, styling product, or any number of other personal care items, chances are there’s a sample package you can pick up. Some manufacturers are better at offering this premium than others, and you won’t regularly find them at your big box discount stores.

But, some smaller drug stores, health food stores, and online sites feature a rotating selection of complimentary one-time-use samples.

Food

Practically any type of consumable starts off as a free sample. Manufacturers often distribute trial sizes of cereal, snack products, candy, dairy items, and juices in-store, online, or through special free after rebate offers. Look for deals from pet food suppliers, too.

Beauty Products

Cosmetic companies are well-known for providing totally free product samples of everything from perfume and lipsticks to lotions and cleansers. Since everyone's skin reacts differently, samples are also an inexpensive and hygienic way to determine if you can use the item before purchasing a full bottle, only to have your skin break out three days later.

Almost any cosmetic counter in department stores offers promotional items, but it’s not ethical to just dash and grab. Strike up a conversation with the salesperson and take time to learn about the product before asking for a sample. You’ll also find a host of free makeup, lotions, and cleansers online through sites such as Free Stuff Hunter.com.

Music

Free music downloads are quite the norm now, and almost every mp3 player comes with a 30- to 60-day trial to an online music service such as Zune. Apple iPods are usually packaged with a set number of complimentary tunes you can download from the Apple store.

If you have a favorite act, visit the artist's website for free and often unreleased songs. Additionally, you’ll find a wide selection of new music through popular promotional sites such as MySpace. Bookmark LoveToKnow Music to receive daily free downloads as well.

Magazines

In addition to offering magazines at a discount, many publishers lure first-time subscribers with three-to-six free issues, as well as other incentives such as bags, water bottles, coffee mugs, or pens. Look inside a favorite periodical for a subscription card, or go to the magazine’s website for specials.

For example, yoga enthusiasts can receive not two bonus issues with a new Yoga Journal magazine subscription, as well as two free gifts.

Finding Free Products Online

Here are just a few resources for totally free product samples online:

• Free Buggy offers many free products to those willing to test them and submit a report.
• Freebie List breaks out product samples by country.
• Nothing In Life uncovers freebies on everything from product samples to contests.
• Totally Free Stuff has hundreds of free goodies for those who participate in surveys and other requirements.
• Free Mania links to product offers and scads of printable online coupons.

Remember to review all requirements carefully before submitting contact information. It’s also wise to sign up for a free Yahoo or Hotmail e-mail account to filter out spam and other unnecessary offers.