Free Stuff

You all know by now that I am into bargain hunting. Well, I know some of you aren't. That's okay. But you can still get free stuff now and again. Let me tell you an easy way that doesn't involve getting the newspaper, clipping coupons, perusing bargain blogs, and making elaborate plans prior to shopping.

Say hello to the "Try Me Free" tag.

Sometimes they are actually tags. Other times they are what bargain hunters call "peelies" attached to the bottle or box. I went to a few drug stores today and I think I saw at least 4 or 5 just looking around a little bit. That means you could walk into your local CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, or whatever you have, and get something for free without really even trying. I usually see these on hair care products (right now, check out Vitamin Shampoo, Renpure Organics shampoo, Bioluxe conditioner only at CVS, Organix, Naked Naturals). I find them elsewhere occasionally too though. Right now, Physician's Formula has them out there on their bamboo compacts, makeup removers, and a certain kind of mascara.

A few notes about Try Me Free tags:

-They are pretty much always mail in rebates. That means you're going to have to pay the cost of the product out of pocket, follow the instructions on the peelie (usually not complicated at all), and wait a couple of weeks to get your money back. You will also have to pay the tax and the price of the stamp. I don't know about you, but I think all that is well worth it to try a new product that I would probably never buy otherwise because of the cost. You will most likely need the original cash register receipt to get the refund. Translation: do not buy more than 1 "try me free" product in 1 transaction because they don't take photocopies of receipts. Or, ask the checker if you can get more than 1 copy of the receipt before you check out.

-Always, always, always read the tag before you buy the product. Even if that means opening up the peelie (you don't have to take it off the bottle to open it even). Sometimes they are already expired (I found one today that was). You don't want to buy the bottle and then find out later that you're not getting it free after all.

-It's generally considered good etiquette not to take the tags or peelies off bottles unless you buy them, but I do sometimes anyway. Why? At drugstores, the "try me free" products often go on buy one get one free (BOGO) sales. So I take the tag, wait for the BOGO sale, and then get 2 for the price of 1 (and then I get my money back for the 1 that I paid for). That way you can get the shampoo and conditioner for free. I take the tag when I see it because other jerks like me take the tags too, and there might not be any left by the time a BOGO sale comes around. Or the BOGO sale might be at another store.

So, there you have it. It's free. It's easy. And it's a great way to try out new products and little cost to you. Enjoy.