Food Samples

I sometimes refuse samples and sometimes not; it just depends on the mood I'm in, I guess! I feel guilty for not buying something after sampling it, so it depends on how well I handle the guilt. No, I don't buy it just because I've sampled it. Most products are out of my price range or too processed for me. I do like to try new products, but usually don't add them to my list of regularly shopped for items.

Oh, you are one of those women who entices me to try and then buy.... I must be a rare one, I love samples and can't wait to try it, problem is, then I love it and end up buying something not on my list... But hey, I probable never would even purchase a new idea unless I tried it first, so free samples are wonderful..

here the food samples are from people who are selling their food and beverages at the store. I only take a sample if it is something I might want, I kinda feel guilty about tasting the product but not buying it.

I love food samples! I have a strong immune system so I don't mind who handles the food as long as it is cooked well if it needs cooking. My kids and I used to go to Sam's Club years ago as recreation as well as shopping. We'd cruise the aisles and sample lots of good stuff and it was fun. Sometimes we would buy the food, usually not because they are mostly convenience foods and junk. I recently went to Kroger and was pleased to see the bakery had tiny pumpkin tarts to try. Then the meat department had ham samples and shrimp cocktail! The dairy had little cups of cottage cheese, the canned goods section had ravioli, the produce section had apples (oh, those honey crisp apples!! I bought 6!!) and near the frozen section were samples of tiny eclairs and cream puffs. Then there were little squares of pizza in the deli. That was dinner for me! For free! I don't care how friendly the sampler person is, I'm not there to make friends. Just do your job well and keep the trays stocked is all I ask--and be sure to have a wastebasket there where I can throw my napkin, toothpick or whatever.

I do take samples if they are offered. I am not really watching my figure though. My wife will usually take them too as long as they are not too sweet, and if she has not already eaten. My kids go nuts for them, my 7 year old will spot a sample cart from across the store and start yelling for us to go and get the sample. I do like to try new products. If taste a sample and I like it, I will usually go and buy it. I like what I like and I buy what I like. It is probably a good thing my wife does almost all the shopping.

We don't have those samples over here that frequently just once in a while. Don't think people are very eager to try it out since we are not really used to it. I am also not the kind of person that would run over to such a stand to try it out because it's for free or so. I also noticed that people who do offer these kind of samples (no matter if it's food or catfood or something else) seem to have nose who to talk to. Same with those who try to sell you a newspaper. Perhaps it works different over here?

THey do here sometimes and its usually that white mexican cheese on chips I like it but hardly ever buy it think wehavd once and then we didnt get around to eating it.

its the same here in Canada and really, the only place i have encountered this is at costco and really, the times i go to costco are few and far between (maybe about every other month if i am lucky!)

I've not gone "sample shopping" in awhile. Me and my friends would go to sam's club and costco to do this, look around but also go for the samples. Most of the people at ours are friendly and cleanly, so I have no problem taking samples from them. I guess they have to be, to try to get the product sold.

I'm selective about samples that I take, but yes I do enjoy trying new things. Always a label-reader, if there isn't one available, I skip the sample. Usually they are available though. I haven't encountered many unfriendly sample-givers, but some have been pretty tired having been on their feet for several hours. It surprises me that they aren't allowed to sit on a stool or something.

I love to get samples from stores when they have them.I also love getting the coupons for the product along with it and also if the product is onsale it is even better and plus you can use your coupon and save even more. I also like the non-food demonstrations as well.

GardenGerty I bet you meet all types of characters doint this..lol you could probably write a book I used to laugh that somedays at Costco one can have a whole meal from a salad to a desert.. I sample things. I have often buy from sampling and continued with that product. How do they know you meet a quota?? I will go pick up the product but it's not always with the person giving samples.

I LOVE sampling. I live next door to an organic grocery store and shop almost daily. I do not care if the sample people are friendly or not. I am there for the sample. And sometimes, I buy the product. Sampling can be a good marketing tool. There are times when I would not have known about the product or considered buying the product until I tried the sample. I try all samples but I do read the ingredients of the product before I purchase. But keep in mind that I live next door to an organic grocery store which has very high standards so most of the food is very good. And the samples always taste great.

Hi Gerty, I always see people at Publix handing out free samples of food. They cook it up right there.. or make it. It might be a salad and a new salad dressing, or it might be a casserole with the recipe on a card that they give you... to sell their products. I don't always take from them.. but sometimes I do. They are always very clean at Publix.. I think publix employees do this. They are always nice and always clean where I live and have REALLY good manners. I do believe they are taught to be this nice to everyone to keep us coming back.

Funny how kids are eager to try new things from the sample lady but not when they are put on their plate at home. We used to consider that lunch hitting up all the samples ladies at Sam's Club, we don't have a membership there anymore.

Actually I was at the shopping center today and there was some food sampling I did not try any I usually don't...and even if I do some times I won't buy the product if it's not in my list!

I enjoy trying samples but I am funny about the presenter and the way they handle to samples too. It highly depends on that for me. I might actually go ahead and buy something right then if I am impressed. Once I had a small cup of Strawberry Banana juice by Dole as a sample and I went straight over and bought two containers of it. I have drank it pretty regular ever since. I can see your point about the calorie intake though. If there were alot of samples and when you went you were hungry..well.. I guess that is part of the reason why I have always heard you shouldn't go shopping hungry.

Occasionally our local Kroger has samples available but I think they are the only store locally that does. If I know the person and know they are clean then I will take a sample however I am very germ cautious so if I don't know them or if I do and think it's not clean I will not. If I will not eat the sample I will not allow my kids to eat it either. I usually do buy whatever he new product is regardless because I like to try new things. I have never actually been to Sams Club the closest one is not close enough but I have always thought it would be somewhat interesting.

I love the samples. They usually have them at Costco and Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's always has something, and I do often buy after tasting -- but not always the same day. Thats reminds me. I've still got some of that exotic cheese I bought about three weeks ago that's really good with apples. I don't hesitate to try things I'm not sure I'll buy. I didn't realize the people offering the samples get paid more if you buy the same day you sample. I don't buy until I'm ready to use something, but I often do buy things when I liked the samples. Guess I've never met an unfriendly person in charge of samples. I think stores probably do sell more of the things they sample, because people like me don't like to buy things we aren't sure we will like.

I don't usually taste sample foods or whatsoever. I just taste the food if I know the brand name. But, there's no harm in trying the sample right, I am just picky with regard to foods.