Free shit with purchase
Filed under: RetailEverybody loves getting things for free, it’s fact: it makes us feel like we’re being rewarded. Rewarded as valued customer, rewarded for buying shit that we probably didn’t need; but that’s o.k because you’ve gotten yourself a free plastic make-up (made in China). That you also (probably) didn’t need…
Now I accept that greed is not a new sin, heck it’s probably the oldest one in the book. However I’ve noticed that instead of learning to be happy with what we have, we’re constantly unhappy about what we DON’T have. As a result of this humanity as a whole seems to be constantly craving everything and anything; sometimes things that you don’t even need. Things like samples for example…
Fucking samples. I hate them; honestly, well most of them anyway. You know why? Because most of them are shit. They come in tiny rubbish little sachets that only seem to have one applications worth of product in them. Most of the time they never have a sample of the product you actually want to buy and whoever manages to make a free face cream sachet last for more than three days needs to be shot for being a tight wad.
I realise that the whole point of making samples is so that people can try before they buy: some creams are expensive and if it’s not suitable for you then it seems like a waste of money. Sometimes companies even make samples to promote a new product. Share the love, spread the word. I get it.
Still it’s not really the samples I have a problem with because as I have stated above, they are a good idea. Even if most of them are shit and tiny. No, no, no, I have a problem with the free sample attitude that people have developed now.
Having worked for several beauty brands I know first hand how annoying this attitude is. Some people saunter into a store ignore you/treat you like dirt, turn up at the till to pay for something (usually low in price) then bark, “Have you got any free samples I can have?”
No “please”, no legitimate reason, just pure demand. I don’t understand why people think this is a good way to get anything. First off- why would I want to give you anything after you have been rude/cold to me? Secondly, you’ve spent fuck all, the person before you spent five times the amount you have and they didn’t demand shit. Lastly it is not your god given right to expect things for free.
Yeah you heard me right.
People who are polite and genuine deserve samples. They’ve heard of a product that they want to try, they have every intention of buying it but ideally they would like to try it first. That’s fine. People who spend a shit load of money deserve samples, because most of the time they don’t demand them. That’s also fine but one I love is when people get shitty when you don’t have the sample that they want; instead you have something else which is completely different, but out of politeness (and company contract) you offer it to them; whilst mentally wondering if they’ll snatch it up like some horrible little troll because it’s free. Most of the time they do, and I die a little inside.
This really angers me because it’s a perfect example of unnecessary human greed. It makes me wonder whether there is any hope for modern society. I mean why does a twenty year old need a sample for water retention gel?! Why do you want that horrible make up bag? It’s hideous and poorly made. Who cares if it’s free?! IT’S FUCKING AWFUL.
Free gift with purchase also irritates me. Admittedly some of them can be quite good, Estee Lauder do a good one at Christmas when you spend over a certain amount; but their good products in good sizes. Otherwise most “gift with purchase” offers are a little crap and why do they always seem to consist of ugly make up bags?!
Anyway my point is this attitude needs to stop: it’s wasteful and selfish. Only ask for samples if you want something in particular and if they don’t have it don’t get shitty. Besides I find that most people are more willing to give you samples if you DON’T sound like a greedy cretin. Try it, you might find that it actually works better.
