Greed and Waste

James_N

Copy of IM sent to Martin today:

Martin
I am begining to feel compelled to write about the greed and waste displayed on the chat forums, especially the freebies board.
Recently, for instance, an Arts Council travel wallet was snapped up in a flash by moneysavers and others, and those slower off the mark missed out. Yet today, as one small example, one "gkf" admits s/he sent for two that were not wanted or needed. At least they were offered back. I'll bet that this is one honest person among others who will just leave them unused in a drawer.
In another example, people were encouraged to send for free cards from a small company using the net as a low-cost publicity tool. Such activity could badly affect a company.
The first point is that freebie hunters should be selective: big companies do offers they cost out and are fair game, other smaller companies could be swamped. Secondly, they should be reasonable: don't grab six when you only need one: don't grab at all if you don't need it.
What do you think?

dianadors

I can honestly say that almost every freebie I have sent for has resulted in me spending more money with the company that offered the freebie. I have become a bit of a boring shopper - I go, get what I always buy and get out of the shop quickly!! Freebies introduce new products and ideas for me and my family.

James_N

dianadors wrote: »

I can honestly say that almost every freebie I have sent for has resulted in me spending more money with the company that offered the freebie. I have become a bit of a boring shopper - I go, get what I always buy and get out of the shop quickly!! Freebies introduce new products and ideas for me and my family.

That's fair enough. It's the reason for the freebies in the first place. And it can be fun. MY problem is with those who send for multiple freebies, sometimes of things they don't really want or need, who crow about it on here, and then deprive others of opportunities to try things or get nice things free.

Miss_Money

agre with you to a point.... but surly MOST people on here only send for what they need? so sending an email to Martin asking people to send for what they need wont do much good. the only way to solve people getting freebies, would be to shut the freebie forum, and im sure most people wouldnt want that!
Some people are always going to be greedy unfortuantly, but the majority of people on here are not. I for one am glad of the freebies posted on the forum and just because one or two people get greedy it shouldnt affect the rest of us! MM x

samanthaknd

I never ever ask for a freebie I don't think I will use for eg. The wallet I won't ever use it so no point in me getting it then. But I do see your point that people do spoil it for others some time.

masterbrown

For some people it certainly seems to be more of a game than actually wanting the freebie.
I know for example the bighead company who make large headed nuts and bolts and things were swamped with sample requests after it was posted on here, now who actually needs a couple of nuts and bolts that don't fit together unless they only want to see the quality

The same with the "free" business cards, I'm guessing they send out 1 business card with a company name on it so you can see the print quality. So why would you need it unless you are thinking of ordering any? Unless or course if its the game aspect of the "find" and to see if it arrives.

I'm not having a go or saying its right or wrong, I'm just interested to know how many people actually treat it as though its a game?

Also theres the fun of sitting here all day and jumping on the new freebies as and when they are posted, I know a lot of people like to do that

So c'mon lets see, how many of you do it for the thrill?.....

masterbrown

I only order ones I want to try by the way.

Miss_Money

I dont see the point in ordering stuff you dont need... especailly when its ordering stuff like one business card, etc.... what a waste of time! :rotfl: I'd advise people that do that for the "thrill" to get out more Having said that I have ordered 2 sample packs to see print quality as an organsiation i help with wanted to do some flyers and it turned out well because the quality was fab and the prices VERY competitive...they got our business.

Fairdo_2

I don't think you'll get anyone posting on here and saying they do it just for the game, so it will be a bit one-sided.

I think many of these free sample companies will have a natural selection process in their T&C's that they will only send one per household.

I can tell you now that I wish I could have asked for more than one chocolate flavoured condom!!!

(It was a bit chewy though!);)

masterbrown

No I agree, just want to see if anybody will have the nerve to admit it and try and put their side across.

One other thing, what do you all think about stopping guests being able to view the freebies board? Maybe making it members only. Just a thought.

ibleedred

James_N wrote: »

Copy of IM sent to Martin today:

Martin
I am begining to feel compelled to write about the greed and waste displayed on the chat forums, especially the freebies board.
Recently, for instance, an Arts Council travel wallet was snapped up in a flash by moneysavers and others, and those slower off the mark missed out. Yet today, as one small example, one "gkf" admits s/he sent for two that were not wanted or needed. At least they were offered back. I'll bet that this is one honest person among others who will just leave them unused in a drawer.
In another example, people were encouraged to send for free cards from a small company using the net as a low-cost publicity tool. Such activity could badly affect a company.
The first point is that freebie hunters should be selective: big companies do offers they cost out and are fair game, other smaller companies could be swamped. Secondly, they should be reasonable: don't grab six when you only need one: don't grab at all if you don't need it.
What do you think?

Tell you what then James, how's about when a new freebie is posted and found for EVERYONE on the net, then we drop you our details, what our daily usage would be for said item, and you choose if we are worthy enough to apply for it.

So what if some people want to go for freebie's that they may not use, big deal, all companies know about sites like this, and they can set their own rules for sending out freebies by getting people to fill in applications forms, and stating what/why the freebies would aid them.

People will always look for free things, hence why there is hundred's of websites designed to hunt for them, how do you know that the companies you listed as examples haven't just got another thousand customers through friends of friends?

But hey, you keep moaning if it makes you feel better.