Free stuff just by asking for it? Anyone tried this?

mandiebaggo

hi

i live near the local donut factory and when my children were having a summer fair i just phoned them up and asked if they could donate anything as it was for the school they were only too happy to oblige and supplied a huge amount of donuts.

vikki2k1

wow this all sounds great, i want to raise some money for NFAUK as there not a very well known charity. i think i will try writing to some companies about this!

scottishfreebiehunter

I recently bought swizzles lollies and the ones I liked were omitted from the bag so emailed them and got a nice letter saying we cannot guarntee what is in the bag though they did enclose two big bags of lollies

Have emailed various companies and asked for samples of there products ones that I tend to use and have either had a polite email saying nothing just now or have sent small samples out and now buy more of there products.

ninjamonkey

i sent walkers crisps a message saying thank you for producing their crisps and that i had never had any problems with them, and was looking forward to seeing what new products they would be releasing.

i revieved a letter today saying thank you and they appreciate receving praise, stapled to the back was a £2 voucher for any walkers product. seeing as im a student it will come in handy!

DitzyLips

When i received my freebie from nivea i wanted to reply and say thank you.This thread prompted me to do it.Being nicer to somebody costs nothing :-)

ninjamonkey

i did as well, it shows them that you do really appreciate their work and not just looking for a freebie.

jembie

When I was young (about 10 i think ) I was collecting tokens off of Hula hoops to send off for your fave popstar on a t-shirt. There was a choice of about 5 of the top stars of the time.
When I finally received mine, they had sent me the wrong popstar and the wrong size. I was distraught and so I wrote off to Hula Hoops and told them. A couple of weeks later I received a letter of apology as well as one of each of the choice of shirts and a box of hula hoops.
I got in the local paper too as my dad was friends with a journalist there.

masterthief

I'm glad this thread is having some positive uses guys, and the story about the Kipling fondant fancies really brought a smile to my face.

kle87

I recently spent alot of money on a works doo in pizza express and had a terrible meal and was treated rudely. I emailed and complained and had £25 vouchers. It's worth sending a polite email informaing managers of your experience.

chickadee_cymru

kalchis wrote: »

every year i aim to raise £1000 minimum for breast cancer, last year i sent out letters to all the companies i could asking them if they could donate something for me to rafell or ebay to raise money, all i recieved was one teddy,
i am going to try again this year as i realy need to raise the money for charity or i feel realy bad, im hopeing to win some prizes worth rafeling aswell:j ,

Good on you. I personally do fund-raising for the Guide Dogs. Unfortunately so many people write to big companies and they often have set charities to support (all to do with tax gains) that it can be difficult to achieve.
I have found the best way is to approach local firms for raffle prizes, for example you could have a fresh hamper from your greengrocer and a golfing day from the golf course.

Also it's fairly easy to get donations of second hand and new stuff from 'normal' people, maybe place an advert on your local gumtree site, or ask for things on your local freecycle.