| These days, you can almost live off free gifts. You | | | | want to use beyond the trial period. These are usually |
| can find free grocery cards, free heating, free diapers. | | | | good programs that after using beyond the trial period, |
| Companies are giving them freely for many different | | | | chances are, you would want to continue using them |
| reasons. | | | | so you pay for the cost of that software. |
| In some cases, it could be to promote their products. | | | | Then there are the promotional free gifts used to bring |
| The company wants to increase the sales its product. | | | | publicity to the sponsoring company. The goodwill the |
| They are so sure you would love their product if only | | | | free gifts bring is, to the company, worth the cost of |
| you would try it. Free samples are given out, hoping | | | | the gifts themselves. These could be small items as |
| you would love the product so much, you would buy it | | | | door gifts at a party or they could be huge prizes like |
| the next time around. That is how Estee Lauder | | | | a mustang car given to winners of a lucky draw. |
| promoted her business decades ago. She would give | | | | Have you ever answered a few survey questions in a |
| free samples of her products. A practice unheard of | | | | mall and been given a pen or other gift as a token of |
| then. The women who tried her creams found they | | | | appreciation? I love that sort of free gift. Sometimes, |
| really work and then became her regular customers. | | | | the gifts can be really generous. |
| In the same way, free 1 year gym memberships might | | | | Market research is important to a company. For a |
| be given out, hoping that you like the facilities so much, | | | | company to succeed, it needs to know what the |
| you sign up as a paid member when your free year is | | | | consumers really want. For that reason, some |
| out. Free magazines might be given hoping you like the | | | | companies are willing to give generous gifts to get you |
| magazine so much, you subscribe to it. My son came | | | | to fill in some survey forms. Free gifts are often given |
| home with a free magazine he won in a contest. We | | | | in exchange for your survey answers or your |
| are considering subscribing to that magazine as it is | | | | feedback. A sweet deal to the consumer if you ask |
| rather educational. | | | | me. |
| Not all free gifts are so good. Some come with a | | | | By answering survey forms, or participating in their |
| hidden cost. Especially the free software you | | | | program, you can get free gas, free groceries, free |
| download into your PC. | | | | perfume, free dinners, free designer handbags, gift |
| Nothing is truly free. Think of it. How would the makers | | | | cards to buy whatever you want. Who knows how |
| of this software cover its cost? Such free software is | | | | long this would last, but while companies are willing to |
| often bundled up with adware. The ads pay for the | | | | shower consumers with all these goodies for free, you |
| software. Download the software and you see ads | | | | might as well enjoy it while it lasts. Even then, freebies |
| popping up on your PC, in some cases, slowing the PC | | | | should not replace your regular job or source of |
| to a halt. These are the ones I am wary of. | | | | income. It is just the icing of the cake, but boy, is it |
| The other type of free software would be the free | | | | sweet. |
| trials of software you would have to pay for if you | | | | |