Brand Tracks

I love getting free samples in the mail. Tiny tubes of toothpaste, little boxes of cereal, packets of shampoo and conditioner . . . I welcome them all. How else can I sample something I’ve never tried before, at no cost to me? In addition, samples are great to use when traveling (tiny toothpastes don’t take up much room), for snacking (smaller portions), and for gifting (care package for a college student).

Some samples come with coupons just in case you like what you tried and want to purchase the larger version. As a price-conscious consumer, coupons are a must. If I liked a product and saw that I could purchase that product for $1 or $2 less than the actual price, I would certainly be out the door redeeming that coupon before it expired. It’s a win-win situation for both me and the company that sent me the sample and coupon.

Every few days, I visit a handful of online forums where large groups of consumers congregate and post links to websites with free samples. There are also other websites hosted by large companies like Walmart, Walgreens, and Kroger that offer free samples of products they sell. It’s just a matter of filling out your information on these sites and waiting a few weeks (usually 6-8 weeks) for your sample to arrive.

Here are a few websites I visit to sign up for free samples:
• Walmart
• Kroger
• Free Sample Forager
• Your Daily Freebies
• Start Sampling

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About the author: Loraine Flegal, a.k.a. LoMein the Dish, joined Locomotion Creative as a graphic designer/production artist extraordinaire in August 2004. Previously, Loraine spent two years as a graphic designer with Leading Edge Communications in Franklin, TN. A transplant from southern Mississippi, Loraine moved to Nashville in May 2002 after graduating from Mississippi State University.