The Chronic Consumer

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love it when they hand out free samples and other promotional products at the grocery store or mall. There are always so many new items being released, but I’m reluctant to spend a lot of money on something that I might not like. By getting a free sample, of course, I’m much more likely to give the product a fair try — and buy more if it performs as advertised.

I’ve discovered a lot of great products this way, including laundry detergent, shampoo, salsa, ice cream, and more. I’d say that in at least 40% of these situations, I’ve completely switched over from my previous brand to the new brand that I received a sample from, and in many other cases, I’m at least open to buying the new product whenever it’s on sale or whenever I have a coupon.

So manufacturers, take note: one of the most effective ways of getting new customers is to give away a few samples.