Freebies - Totally Free Stuff on the Internet

How would you like to get a free beach towel from a major food company? Would you like a NASCAR backpack from a soft drink manufacturer? Freebies are a way for companies to attract new customers and keep current customers happy. The company hopes that once you try their product, you will like it and become a repeat customer. The free offers are usually supported by advertising. Freebies benefit the consumer in several ways. You can try a product before you buy it to see if you really like it. Many consumers send away for free samples of products they already use in an effort to save money.

Freebies have come a long way since our mothers received the free bar of soap in the mail back in the 70s and 80s. Occasionally, a manufacturer will send an unsolicited free sample through the mail. However, marketing is more personal now and most companies want some kind of direct contact with the consumer.

You can find freebies on the weekends at many major retailers. Many companies will have demonstrations of their latest product with a sample. This is a great way to taste an exotic food you are not sure if you like. Most of these demonstrations will also have product coupons.

Many products have free offers for merchandise or rebates on their labels. These offers will usually require you to send in a proof-of-purchase and receipt.

The easiest way for consumers to find freebies is on the Internet. What kind of freebies are offered? Virtually everything from t-shirts to gourmet coffee to backpacks can be found. Free music downloads, cell phone ring tones and software are also widely available. You can find free Internet service, free cell phones and even clothes. Freebies can be samples of products or a freebie can be item you receive after purchasing a product and sending in a UPC code. You will also be charged for shipping and handling.

If you like a particular product, you can try the manufacturer's website for free offers. Not only will you find free giveaways, contests and promotions, but you will also find coupons, rebates and other special offers. Coca-Cola has set up a website called www.mycokerewards.com. The customer enters a code located somewhere on the bottle (usually under the cap) and is credited. The customer can save their credits for savings and free stuff from the company. Kraft Foods also has several promotions on its website, www.kraftfoods.com. One offer is for a free beach towel for shipping and handling costs, two UPC symbols from a cheese product and two dated receipts. Proctor and Gamble also has several freebie offers at the company's website, www.pg.com.

If you do not have the time to search for your freebies by manufacturer, many websites are dedicated to sorting through the best offers. At www.welovefreebies.com, you can find all kinds of freebies from clothing, perfume and food samples. The website also has a link to the Top 20 freebie sites on the Internet.

You can receive weekly updates on freebies from www.weeklyfreebie.com. If you want daily updates on freebies, you can sign up at www.freebie-of-the-day.com and have offers emailed to you daily.

When thinking about freebies, don't forget sweepstakes and contests. Many major companies have yearly promotions offering appliances, trips and even cash. Most of these sweepstakes and contests do not require proof of purchase to enter. You can find many offers at www.online-sweepstakes.com. The website lists new sweepstakes daily. Be sure to read the rules and terms before entering any sweepstakes.

As discussed earlier, many companies use freebies as a way to lure more customers and to obtain marketing information. Because of this, you will want to be careful when filling out information from these companies. Many consumers have an email address just for junk mail from companies offering freebies. Don't ever give out your credit card number to any site offering free stuff. Also, be cautious about providing your home phone number. While most well known companies are legitimate and will not sell your information to a third party, some smaller companies will. Be sure to check the conditions and terms to find out if the freebie site does.