company sending complimentary products
getting freebies from a company
writing an article about a product
Wow What a Pleasant Surprise
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
January 25, 2010 6:06pm CST
Some months ago back in October, my pet rescuer friend sent me a goodies package. She works part time in a all natural organic type shop near her. Among one of the things she sent me was a jar of Garlic Balsamic Drizzle Sauce that is made by a company called The Tortured Orchard (yes that's the name of the company--LOL) You can't believe how great this sauce tastes--you can use it as a marinade for meats, a dipping sauce, etc. So anyway I got the idea to write up a product review type article for Associated Content.
Well just now I received a message in my inbox of Associated Content page from the co-founder of the Tortured Orchard Sauces (it's a mom and daughter team that developed it). She was doing a google search typing in the company name and came across my article. She was so impressed by my article and sharing my positive experience with how great the sauce tasted, that she's sending me a shipment of a variety of their other sauces to me....free! Like holy moly!
Have any of you written an article about a product, or write a letter/email complimenting a product then got a communication back from that company that they are sending a complimentary shipment of their product? What was it? Were you as surprised as I was in getting good news like this?
12 people like this
32 responses
@Kashmeresmycat (6369)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Wow!!!! That's simply awesome Pye! 
Good for you, and this is your lucky day, haha! That was nice of you to do, plus, it was so nice of THEM to do. No, I've never done that before but it sure is a good idea. Watch, now all these companies are going to be getting all these compliments from tons of people here on myLot, haha!
Seriously, that was very cool. I love, absolutely love, balsamic vinegar, and use it all the time. This sounds really good, except I actually have an allergy to garlic, it makes my stomach hurt, but I use to eat it all the time.
Good for you, and this is your lucky day, haha! That was nice of you to do, plus, it was so nice of THEM to do. No, I've never done that before but it sure is a good idea. Watch, now all these companies are going to be getting all these compliments from tons of people here on myLot, haha!
Seriously, that was very cool. I love, absolutely love, balsamic vinegar, and use it all the time. This sounds really good, except I actually have an allergy to garlic, it makes my stomach hurt, but I use to eat it all the time.@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jan 10
LOL--maybe I should write up MORE product reviews and see if I get anymore freebies. That one sauce tastes so good I sometimes just open the jar and take a spoonful--and yes it does taste very garlicky..sorry to hear it gives you problems though
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Maybe she will do a search and find this discussion as well. It does sound good, would be good with a nice crusty bread. Man, I am getting hungry, and it is time to sleep.
2 people like this
@jerzgirl (9232)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Hey, Pye! That's terrific! What a great way to sample something without wasting money! I've never heard of the stuff - I might have to look for it. I get a lot of the stuff I try at the dollar market. I found that lemon pepper marinade makes a wonderful base coat for breading on chicken strips. Man, do they taste good!! So does balsamic vinaigrette.
@jerzgirl (9232)
• United States
26 Jan 10
No, they're not - part of why I have no desire to shop at Whole Foods. But, also a reason why I don't mind trying different things at the dollar store. If I don't like them, I haven't lost much over it. But, I think that's great that they liked your review and decided to reward you for it! Fantastic! Enjoy every drop of each sauce!
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Wow, that's terrific! No, I can't say that it's ever happened to me but if it did I sure would be surprised. I'll have to get busy and do more reviews, especially for food products since I could always use some free samples.
Even without reading your actual review you convinced me that I should try that sauce! It sounds delicious and like something I'd really like!
Annie
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Just type in a search for Tortured Orchard and you'll come up with their website and a description of all their sauces. Yeah, I'm beginning to think I should write more product reviews too...LOL. I even heard once on the news how this woman is always writing emails to a company complimenting them on their product. She often gets back a coupon for the product and for free
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
26 Jan 10
Wow, that's really awesome. Sounds like this Tortured Orchard is a really good and reputable company, and caring for their clients. Congrats for that. I cannot imagine writing a good review and being appreciated like that. So now that it has happened to you, awesome. Now you can review more, for sure..
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Yup I do plan to write up more reviews now...one never knows..could get lucky again and get more freebies...LOL
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Jan 10
Well, how nice of them to do that! There was a sucker that I used to get when I was young. I liked it much I sent a quite indepth letter to the manufacturing company and recieved a box of their suckers in return mail. This was back when there were no computers and so it was by snail mail. I was tickled ofcourse. I can't even remember the name of the sucker now.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jan 10
I think from now on, I'll do a writing campaign to different products I like...LOL. That was great you got that boxful of suckers..LOL. Hey I wonder if I write a letter of praise about Fancy Feast cat food I'll get a caseful of kitty food...LOL
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159008)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Jan 10
It would have to be a very good article I am thinking.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jan 10
Buttons is one smart kitty. LOL
Yeah sometime ago, if one went to different pet food websites one could get coupons for free bags of Purina One, or other types of dry food...they haven't had that in awhile though
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
26 Jan 10
I was just sitting down to anwer, when suddenly the dog needed a walk. Upon my return I found Buttons typing away and snickering to herself. If you look closely, it's your discussion she's working on! I think she was telling you that we wrote Purina once and received several coupons for free bags in the mail. That's one of her favorites.
2 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
26 Jan 10
That was really nice. I wouldn't be surprised to see a link to your article on their website.
2 people like this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
26 Jan 10
This is great. You are honest person and it pays back. I hope you can write more articles about other unusual products and get a reward.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jan 10
I do just "happen" to have some more goodies my friend sent me but haven't tried yet, so yup, might write a product review once I've had them
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
26 Jan 10
Thats a great response to writing a product review. What kind of sauces did she send you? I love the idea of a garlic drizzle.
I write product reviews too, for an Australian site. They pay me well in gift cards. It is very easy.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jan 10
She hasn't sent them to me yet...only got her message today, so hoping to hear back from her as I emailed her as soon as I saw her message to me. I'm hoping she sends a nice variety--if the other sauces are anywhere like the one that my friend sent me they should be great too.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Will do...maybe once I get them do a product review about them too...LOL
1 person likes this
@Loverbear (4918)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Congratulations on your news! That is too cool!!! You can now enter the wonderful world of gourmet tastes...I'm going to have to check out their site. That Drizzle sounds so good, and since I am doing more cooking (I am having Bill come down more often for dinner so that I am sure he is eating good meals) I am going to find some good spices etc.
I am sooooo thrilled for you! It is such a wonderful surprise and such a great gift for raving over something that is so good... I haven't been so lucky as of yet. But hope never fails. I did win a bunch of stuff for entering a bear in a contest. I got a bunch of sewing supplies from Coats and Clark and craft stuff from other suppliers. I was tickled pink over winning, even though it was just 4th place.
Enjoy your sauces, I am so thrilled for you...I know how tough things have been and this is a wonderful pick me up for you, 
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
28 Jan 10
Thank you Loverbear....yes it was a nice surprise...I find that one sauce is great to use on steaks too. That was great news of your craft supplies that you got...we crafters can always use supplies...LOL.
@wildcatsthree (289)
• United States
26 Jan 10
yes, about a year ago I wrote about the benefits of sweetening with Stevia and the problems with other sweeteners like Aspartame etc. A company saw my article and sent me samples of their Stevia products. They sent me such a wide array of them that after a year I still have about half of it left. I was pleasantly surprised with the samples and will probably continue using them after the samples are gone. I've also received natural cat litter samples (quite a generous size bag) to sample and review.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
26 Jan 10
hi pyewacket I had that happen to me close to Christmas I had written a letter to Hillshire farms praising their sausages and had not thought another thing about it. then I get this package,its a Christmas gift package from Hillshire farms with small cuts of all their best sausages and gourmet mustard, and some petit fours, and some nice little bread slices, all things that I could eat in my room really. I was so surprised and delighted .even a Christmas card telling me that they were glad i liked their products. I had snacks for at least ten days from this complimentary package. I had never had this happen before. I am so glad for you, they really liked your article. wow. I bet you are surprised. that garlic balsamic drizzle sauce really sounds delicious. I am a garlic lover and a balsamic lover too
ic drizzle sauce really sounds delicious. I am a garlic lover and a balsamic lover too2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
26 Jan 10
Wow! That was great for Hillshire Farms to surprise you like that with their "goodie" package...and great timing too, Christmas time. Mmmm...makes me think I should write a LOT more letters of praise for a product
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
26 Jan 10
The closest thing to that has been when I have inquired about a product my husband likes that I can no longer find. The company apologized, said it is no longer available in this part of the country, and then gave me coupons for a variety of things that they do sell in my part of the country. It is nice, and this shows that being positive does pay.
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
28 Jan 10
That was a pretty good score Pye...much luck to you.
I recently had to return an item for replacement to a store I deal with on-line. They sent the second one and it too was faulty so I went through the rigmarole of sending it back as well. Meanwhile, a different brand came on sale that was on special, so I ordered it. It came and it was/is a beauty.
The company was really easy to deal with even though I felt it a burden to have to send 2 faulty items back, at no time was I ever questioned or provoked. Everything was smooth and actually friendly. I sent them an email thanking them for being easy and friendly to deal with and I received the nicest reply back...very personal and genuine and asking me if they could use my letter on their site. I readily agreed and received a $10 voucher!! I was thrilled.
The best part was when I spent it...an item normally selling for $50 was half price and no shipping charges. Normally the goods would have cost $60 bucks including shipping and I got it for $15. Not only that but the product is fabulous. YAY!!
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
28 Jan 10
that does sound good-i love garlic
that was nice of them..
lemme see..just once from alley cat brand..i sent them a picture of my 34.5 pound blue and mentioned he obviously liked their product A LOT and got a coupon for a huge
bag.
..they must have been laughing when that mail came in..
that was nice of them..
lemme see..just once from alley cat brand..i sent them a picture of my 34.5 pound blue and mentioned he obviously liked their product A LOT and got a coupon for a huge
bag.
..they must have been laughing when that mail came in..
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
29 Jan 10
Dang, remind me to start writing reviews about things I like! lol
Good deal...
@sumanadep (1228)
• India
26 Jan 10
Great... I haven't done any thing like this. The company must be very happy with your article.. good work always pays.
1 person likes this
