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Freebies - Totally Free Stuff on the Internet |
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Written by Save Money Editor
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How would you like to get a free beach towel from a major
food company? Would you like a NASCAR
backpack from a soft drink manufacturer? Freebies are a way for companies to
attract new customers and keep current customers happy. The company hopes that
once you try their product, you will like it and become a repeat customer. The
free offers are usually supported by advertising.
Freebies benefit the consumer in several ways. You can try a
product before you buy it to see if you really like it. Many consumers send
away for free samples of products they already use in an effort to save money.
Freebies have come a long way since our mothers received the
free bar of soap in the mail back in the 70s and 80s. Occasionally, a
manufacturer will send an unsolicited free sample through the mail. However,
marketing is more personal now and most companies want some kind of direct
contact with the consumer.
You can find freebies on the weekends at many major
retailers. Many companies will have demonstrations of their latest product with
a sample. This is a great way to taste an exotic food you are not sure if you
like. Most of these demonstrations will also have product coupons.
Many products have free offers for merchandise or rebates on
their labels. These offers will usually require you to send in a
proof-of-purchase and receipt.
The easiest way for consumers to find freebies is on the
Internet. What kind of freebies are offered? Virtually everything from t-shirts
to gourmet coffee to backpacks can be found. Free music downloads, cell phone
ring tones and software are also widely available. You can find free Internet service, free cell
phones and even clothes. Freebies can be samples of products or a freebie can
be item you receive after purchasing a product and sending in a UPC code. You
will also be charged for shipping and handling.
If you like a particular product, you can try the
manufacturer's website for free offers. Not only will you find free giveaways,
contests and promotions, but you will also find coupons, rebates and other
special offers. Coca-Cola has set up a website called www.mycokerewards.com.
The customer enters a code located somewhere on the bottle (usually under the
cap) and is credited. The customer can save their credits for savings and free
stuff from the company. Kraft Foods also has several promotions on its website,
www.kraftfoods.com. One offer is for a free beach towel for shipping and
handling costs, two UPC symbols from a cheese product and two dated receipts.
Proctor and Gamble also has several freebie offers at the company's website,
www.pg.com.
If you do not have the time to search for your freebies by
manufacturer, many websites are dedicated to sorting through the best offers.
At www.welovefreebies.com, you can find all kinds of freebies from clothing,
perfume and food samples. The website also has a link to the Top 20 freebie
sites on the Internet.
You can receive weekly updates on freebies from
www.weeklyfreebie.com. If you want daily updates on freebies, you can sign up
at www.freebie-of-the-day.com and have offers emailed to you daily.
When thinking about freebies, don't forget sweepstakes and
contests. Many major companies have yearly promotions offering appliances,
trips and even cash. Most of these sweepstakes and contests do not require
proof of purchase to enter. You can find many offers at
www.online-sweepstakes.com. The website lists new sweepstakes daily. Be sure to
read the rules and terms before entering any sweepstakes.
As discussed earlier, many companies use freebies as a way
to lure more customers and to obtain marketing information. Because of this,
you will want to be careful when filling out information from these companies.
Many consumers have an email address just for junk mail from companies offering
freebies. Don't ever give out your credit card number to any site offering free
stuff. Also, be cautious about providing your home phone number. While most
well known companies are legitimate and will not sell your information to a
third party, some smaller companies will. Be sure to check the conditions and
terms to find out if the freebie site does.
Written by Lindsey, on 26-01-2008 03:39
Great article 
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Written by col, on 26-01-2008 03:39
 intresting
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