And Another...And Another...And Another...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
May 2, 2008 9:16am CST
Sometimes when I go to different grocery stores I’ll see a free sample table. Sometimes it’s little sausages, a new cereal or a new snack mix…it’s always something. The object is to get ppl to try a sample and convince them that they should buy some to take home. However, I sometimes see ppl taking 3-4 samples or a whole handful. Some will even go back 3-4 times. They never buy the item but sure do hit the samples hard. I tend to avoid these displays unless I’m really interested in buying what they are selling.
Do you ever see free samples in the stores? Have you ever been the person handing them out? Do you always get the free sample even if you have no intention of buying the item? Have you seen these ppl that go hog wild for the free samples?
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
12 people like this
47 responses
@scarywhitegirl (2766)
• United States
2 May 08
When we were younger, my mom would take us to the grocery store on sample days because it meant we could have a snack while we shopped. I always loved that!
It seems that now there are a lot less samples available, at least at the stores I shop at. In fact, I can't remember having seen any at all when I shop. I know some stores like Whole Foods have a lot of samples, but we don't usually go there.
I'd only try a sample if it sounds like something decent. I probably wouldn't end up buying it unless it was super good and/or I needed the product they were selling. But I think a lot of samples is about getting the name of a new product out there, so that it's on your mind at a later date.
@GardenGerty (157551)
• United States
3 May 08
Sam's Club has samples Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, usually. The company I worked with, for insurance purposes, said I could not hand out samples directly to children, the parent had to hand it to the children. This is because of allergies, and possibilities of food being too hot.
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
2 May 08
I have seen the sample tables before also. As you say some people I think are trying to make a meal out of the samples. I will only try a sample if it is something new that sounds and looks good to me and if I like it I will buy it, if not then I pass on it.
1 person likes this
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
12 Jun 08
This is funny. When my daughter was little around 2-3 years old we would go to Sams on sundays cause it was sample day. She loved this time together (it was just me and her). We would have a blast going from one sample to the other and shopping in between. And yes sometimes we did buy the sample product sometimes we didn't. You never know till you try it whether you will like it or not.
@sweetdesign (5142)
• United States
12 Jun 08
Oh and when I was a deli lead in Walmart we did samples of meat and cheeses that were on special because we are trying to promote the item. It is all a part of marketing and doesn't hurt the company to give samples.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
10 Aug 08
I never sold free samples, in fact I never sold anything. I always try the free sample unless I know it's something for sure I won't like. But I think that those people who just take and take and take are uncouth.
@LOULOU323 (213)
•
10 Aug 08
Yes we were in the supermarket a while ago,and they gave out over the tannoy that there wasa table at the back of te supermarket that was laden with free veggie peelers,well we headed straight for the back to find the table and the queue was long,but we hung on in there and came out with that free peeler,what a good freebie that was.
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
7 May 08
At Sam's Clubs stores they have these sample people everywhere-- If I'm hungry I'll grab one- But only 1--- Even if I have no intention of buying the product. I see nothing wrong with that--- they know people do this- and if they get 1 out of 5 buying- they are happy I'd think :)
I won't grab samples in our local grocery store-- just don't like to- I will take samples if it's a new laundry soap or something like that- I love free samples-
I've never worked with giving them out. I think it would be cool though :)
@dmillman (2273)
• United States
3 May 08
My little itty-bitty 2-bit town doesn't have free samples. The few times I've seen them, it's been for something I'd never try/taste, etc. I'd love to see more of those demonstrations. I actually signed up once to do that, but my health got in the way, and now I can't do anything about it. I could give you the name of the company if anyone is interested in giving it a try - it's a reputable company. I read about it in Woman's Day or Ladie's Home Journal.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
4 May 08
A friend of mine used to be one of the people handing out the samples. She always had yummy ones and when I came off checkouts she would hand me one of each kind to try. I sampled some heavenly icecream that I could not afford to buy. Most of them would not offer samples to staff yet we were the stores best customers!!
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
4 May 08
If it is a product that I am interested in, then I will try it but usually, it isn't a product I want.
@newzealtralian (3930)
• Australia
20 May 08
If it is a product that interests me, then I will try it. If I don't like it, then obviously I want be buying it.
Supermarkets make big profits, so providing a little snack to customers doesn't hurt their pockets at all. Greedy companies! Sending the rest of us broke!
@asawanialvin0611 (1877)
• Philippines
12 Jun 08
Yeah..i try some of them if i am not in a hurry.If they are new in the market, it is better to taste first before i buy them to avoid wasting of money
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
12 Jun 08
I rarely try their samples as they are usually not
something for a diabetic but if they are within my
food choices I sometimes take one sample but only
one as I do not want to be piggish about it at all.
@baileycows (3665)
• United States
21 Jun 08
I love free samples and yes if I think I might like the sample I will try it. If I really like it though I will buy it. Sometimes it is a good way to see if you want something without having to pay for the whole thing and not liking it. But I have seen those hogs that go back 3 and 4 times. If was the person giving the samples I would tell them one only go home and eat. LOL !
@lovespecialangel (3632)
• United States
3 May 08
Sometimes I will avoid them if I am in a hurry, but there are times when I like to see what they are selling to see if I am interested. I can't say that I have ever seen anyone going back for seconds or thirds. I've never been the one to hand out the samples though.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
3 May 08
good discussion, I usually only taste them when it is something that I think that I would really want, or sometimes when they coax me over to try it. I never buy usually because I don't have the extra money on hand and then I forget about it the next time I go to the grocery shop.
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
3 May 08
My sister is a displayer at the local stores,and she does samples and she loves it..She has never said anything about people doing this...She sometimes cooks something and gives out samples and coupons..I have on occassion took a sample and tried it but i never went back for more...If i like it ,i will take a coupon...
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
3 May 08
At most of the places around here there is someone working most of the samples. Oh, I've seen cheese, and fruit without anyone, but most have some also pitching the item. I've been known to try a taste even if I don't plan on buying any. Sometimes I do get the item, and that's what they expect.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
3 May 08
I will try a sample even if I have no idea of buying, but often tasting the sample changes my mind and then I do end up buying something after all. I have occasional taken more than one sample if offered, particularly if it is toward the end of the shift for the person handing them out and s/he wants to pack up and go home, but cannot if there are still samples out. But that is sort of an exception. I buy enough stuff from the stores to not feel bad about enjoying the samples, although there are some samples I will not touch, and often I read the ingredients on the package before tasting.
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
3 May 08
I only accept a sample when I'm interested in the product.
Where I used to live, I would often see the same people moving from store to store munching down on the free samples.
Then one day it dawned on me, that these people were doing this, because it was probably the only real food they would have that day. Usually it was older folks. So unless it's some kid or kids just being obviously greedy, I don't even worry anymore whether the sample takers are going to buy the product.
