Are we sample crazy? I don’t mean me & Ryan in particular, but more or less, all of us, as a community. The Canadian Couponing Community.
While I’d like to laugh and say “Of course we are!”, I think we may be approaching a line that shouldn’t be crossed, and it’s no laughing matter. I don’t usually blog about negativity – it’s not my thing. We do our absolute best to keep SaveaLoonie.com a happy, positive & encouraging space for couponers of all calibers. But I think this needs to be said.
Yes, we all LOVE samples. I get it. I do too! Just like you, on the morning I think SampleSource (or any other possible freebie) is going live, I sit in front of my computer and refresh, refresh, refresh. It’s like Christmas, or your birthday, or a special little surprise when you open your mailbox and find free goodies. It’s a special treat, a chance to try a new product, a few extra dollars saved on a product or 2 you didn’t have to purchase. But we MUST REMEMBER – these samples & freebies are perks – NOT ENTITLEMENTS.
I’ve seen a SHOCKING number of comments lately about people complaining about samples & freebies, especially yesterday over the SampleSource boxes. And quite honestly, it bothers me.
Limited Quantities is a real thing!
While quantities last. While supplies last. Limited time only. I’m sure you read these phrases a hundred times a day and think nothing of it – but in the freebie world it’s a real thing & you should take notice! There are only so many of each sample / coupon / freebie available to go around and they are available on a first come, first served basis.
These quantities are decided by the brand supplying the freebie – not necessarily the company supplying it (like SampleSource) or the bloggers posting about it (like us!)
With more and more people getting involved in Couponing & Freebie Hunting, the demand for samples has never been higher. If you aren’t quick enough, you miss out. Simple as that.
You will never make everyone happy all the time
In an ideal world, sampler packs would be available all the time to anyone who wanted one. Wouldn’t that be awesome?!? But unfortunately, that’s just not the case. There is always going to be a day where someone can’t participate. It could be a work day, special meeting, an appointment, traveling, illness, you got up to go pee – ANYTHING.
Some times you just miss out. Don’t take it out on the company because your schedule didn’t happen to coincide with their promotion. Just wait for the next one – maybe you’ll have better luck.
Money is an object
While the sample may be free to you – it most definitely isn’t free to the company providing it! Designing, developing, producing & shipping samples are all costly procedures that consumers often times forget about. It just isn’t possible to offer everyone a sample – this is why we have limited quantities.
Who gets what?
I get asked all. the. time. about why certain people get offered more / different samples than others, when it comes to packs like SampleSource. Given that you aren’t late to the party (see limited quantities above), the distribution of samples is based on many different factors namely:
- How you answered the questions in your registration survey
- How you answered the questions in the sample questionnaire
- Where you live
- Your family dynamic (kids, pets, etc)
- Your shopping habits
And for the billionth time – NO, answering “Other” to all of the questions will NOT get you all of the samples!!
Don’t forget the feedback!
I fear all too often, people request their samples, use them and never report back to the brand! Companies offer samples to get feedback from you! They are giving you the opportunity to “try before you buy” in exchange for your honest opinions on their product, it’s important to follow through on your end of the arrangement. The brands use this information to make their products better for YOU! Oh – and don’t sugar coat it either. They want honest feedback, so give it to them. But in a polite & constructive way of course.
If brands don’t see a worthwhile return on their investment (yes – a sample giveaway is an investment to a company!), they won’t use that promotional strategy again & you won’t get anymore samples. Bummer, right?
Ordering restrictions
This particular point seemed to be a BIG bone of contention with the most recent SampleSource. Most samples & offers are limited to one per person or one per household. This is done to ensure that as many people / families as possible are given the opportunity to get a sample. Makes sense, right.
Unfortunately, as with anything, there are loop holes & work-arounds and people find a way to cheat the system. And since it is impossible to verify every basement apartment, rear-entrance, upper level etc, is actually a valid shipping address, they have now implemented a 1 request per ip address limit.
[alert color=”green”]For those who don’t know, all individual internet connections are given an ip address. All devices accessing the internet from your internet connection will have the same ip.[/alert]
While this will help stop the cheaters, it also restricts the ability of users to make valid requests on behalf of friends and family who are unable to do so. It’s crummy, I know.
Keep it constructive
This is an easy one. Don’t hate. Don’t hate on the brands. Don’t hate on the distributors. Don’t hate on the bloggers. No one in this chain is here to do you harm. We are all working together to make get your sample a fun & exciting experience.
If your experience is anything but, please feel free to give feedback, but keep it constructive. As I said above, there will never be a situation where everyone is happy all the time – all we can do is work to make it better for next time. So if you have a positive, constructive idea – share it! But if you’re just going to be negative, keep it to yourself. Please. And Thank You. 🙂
Do you have anything to add? Any thoughts, opinions, questions? Please feel free to share them with us on the SaveaLoonie Facebook Page or in the comments below!
