My New Hobby: FREEBIES

[Janice]

A few months ago, I started sending away for samples of various products. It's not due to lack of money or anything. It's just fun seeing what I can get, because as most everyone knows my motto: If it's free, it's for me. It's really just a hobby, and it makes checking the mail fun. Since most samples take between 6 to 10 weeks to arrive, the stuff is really pouring in now.

Companies often go on a sample and coupon blitz when launching a new product. Walmart has a sample section on their website. Same for Proctor & Gamble. There are websites devoted to this, where members post links to good sample and coupon finds. These people are into rebates, couponing, etc. I haven't signed up, but I'm there every few days, checking out the latest and greatest. I have a couple of e-mails delivered to me every day with links. It gets tiresome filling out your name and address over and over on the order form, but it's worth it. Just be sure to use an alternate e-mail address and to give a fake phone number if asked.

I'll post what I've received from memory over the last three months.

A $7 coupon for Ben-Gay heat patches. I actually e-mailed the company myself for those. That's another way. Write the company, praise the product and ask for coupons.

Two coupons for Iams dry cat food, worth about $10 each.

About 10 samples for shampoo and conditioner. All high-end products. Lots of toothpaste, make-up, facial care, perfumes.

Six samples of laundry detergent, one wash each. Dryer sheets too.

Trash bags.

A beautiful Christmas ornament.

Lots of cat treats.

Lots of human treats. Gourmet granola, popcorn, nuts, candy, etc.

Medications. Prilosec, etc.

Two t-shirts, two caps and some tools for my husband. Good quality.

A full-size bottle of Secret, Clinical Strength deodorant. Worth $10.

Lots of "women's stuff", monthly products, gels...I even got condoms (in my husband's Christmas stocking, as a joke )

Magazine subscriptions. Six months of Cosmo, One year of Glamour, Self, TV Guide, Prevention, Some CBS mag, Smithsonian....lots of others.

Three bags of coffee. Dunkin' Donuts, Seattle's Best, Starbucks.

Refrigerator magnet photo frames. Very pretty.

Address labels, stationary, greeting cards, cookbooks, lots of calendars.

I'm waiting on loads of stuff.

[I am Roboto]

Originally Posted by Janice

A few months ago, I started sending away for samples of various products. It's not due to lack of money or anything. It's just fun seeing what I can get, because as most everyone knows my motto: If it's free, it's for me. It's really just a hobby, and it makes checking the mail fun. Since most samples take between 6 to 10 weeks to arrive, the stuff is really pouring in now.

Companies often go on a sample and coupon blitz when launching a new product. Walmart has a sample section on their website. Same for Proctor & Gamble. There are websites devoted to this, where members post links to good sample and coupon finds. These people are into rebates, couponing, etc. I haven't signed up, but I'm there every few days, checking out the latest and greatest. I have a couple of e-mails delivered to me every day with links. It gets tiresome filling out your name and address over and over on the order form, but it's worth it. Just be sure to use an alternate e-mail address and to give a fake phone number if asked.

I'll post what I've received from memory over the last three months.

A $7 coupon for Ben-Gay heat patches. I actually e-mailed the company myself for those. That's another way. Write the company, praise the product and ask for coupons.

Two coupons for Iams dry cat food, worth about $10 each.

About 10 samples for shampoo and conditioner. All high-end products. Lots of toothpaste, make-up, facial care, perfumes.

Six samples of laundry detergent, one wash each. Dryer sheets too.

Trash bags.

A beautiful Christmas ornament.

Lots of cat treats.

Lots of human treats. Gourmet granola, popcorn, nuts, candy, etc.

Medications. Prilosec, etc.

Two t-shirts, two caps and some tools for my husband. Good quality.

A full-size bottle of Secret, Clinical Strength deodorant. Worth $10.

Lots of "women's stuff", monthly products, gels...I even got condoms (in my husband's Christmas stocking, as a joke )

Magazine subscriptions. Six months of Cosmo, One year of Glamour, Self, TV Guide, Prevention, Some CBS mag, Smithsonian....lots of others.

Three bags of coffee. Dunkin' Donuts, Seattle's Best, Starbucks.

Refrigerator magnet photo frames. Very pretty.

Address labels, stationary, greeting cards, cookbooks, lots of calendars.

I'm waiting on loads of stuff.

You'd love this site, then, Janice. They have a whole forum section dedicated to 'freebies'.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by I am Roboto

You'd love this site, then, Janice. They have a whole forum section dedicated to 'freebies'.

Thanks, but that one is already in my FREE folder. I've got about 10 sites. Thanks for thinking of me though.

[Stuck In The '70's]

Wow Janice...those are some nice things. You're really making out. That sounds like a great hobby.

[Jude The Obscure]

Been doing freebies even way before the internet came along--there used to be a magazine called Freebies--you got it like every other month and had to send off for the stuff through postcards or 3x5 cards in envelopes. Had some good stuff but also some dishonest companies too who cashed $1-$3 checks and never delivered the goods.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Been doing freebies even way before the internet came along--there used to be a magazine called Freebies--you got it like every other month and had to send off for the stuff through postcards or 3x5 cards in envelopes. Had some good stuff but also some dishonest companies too who cashed $1-$3 checks and never delivered the goods.

I've never been asked for any money, not yet anyway, which surprises me because some proucts are elaborately boxed or wrapped, and the postage can't be cheap. I'm having a blast. It's fun trying out new products.

[Brian Damage]

Believe it or not, my wife does the same thing. She is on some sort of mailing list with Wal-Mart and they send here samples of things.

[catlover79]

[Brent88]

WOW, that's great Janice.

[browneyes106]

I love getting freebies too. I have visited slickdeals in awhile. Another great site to find freebies is mycoupons.net

[Jude The Obscure]

Originally Posted by Janice

I've never been asked for any money, not yet anyway, which surprises me because some proucts are elaborately boxed or wrapped, and the postage can't be cheap. I'm having a blast. It's fun trying out new products.

Mind you, these were from the olden days of Freebies Sometimes a company asked you cover the cost of shipping/postage.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

Mind you, these were from the olden days of Freebies Sometimes a company asked you cover the cost of shipping/postage.

I didn't know that. They never ask now. I wouldn't give my credit card info out anyway. I just ordered some items now. A pedometer, gourmet popcorn, an energy drink, shampoo, a tote bag and a couple of eyeglass lense cleaner cloths from Bausch & Lomb. This is too much fun.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Believe it or not, my wife does the same thing. She is on some sort of mailing list with Wal-Mart and they send here samples of things.

Smart wife. Wal-Mart is the best. They give away really good size samples. They offer about six to eight products at a time, and change it every few weeks. Only one of each sample per household, so I'm always anxious for them to change their sample lineup.

[Jude The Obscure]

I love getting freebies from Start Sampling and the offers at Fat Wallet.

But twice this past year, I was offered a free blood glucose monitor--I signed up and waited......and waited.......and waited.......nada! I hate when companies advertise and then don't deliver.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

I love getting freebies from Start Sampling and the offers at Fat Wallet.

But twice this past year, I was offered a free blood glucose monitor--I signed up and waited......and waited.......and waited.......nada! I hate when companies advertise and then don't deliver.

That's too bad. I find that happens with the obscure companies, but I've been pretty lucky so far. The famous companies are reliable. I like Fat Wallet, Freebie Empire, Shop4Freebies, SlickDeals, P&G, Wal-Mart, FreeWeb.nu, Freebie Jeebies, ThunderFap, Hot Coupon World, My Savings, etc. I have about a dozen places, lol.