by Pat Merewether

Created on: September 29, 2008

Free samples are great fun and plentiful if you know where to look and are willing to ask.

One place I always ask for samples is the doctor's office. Pharmaceutical companies provide doctors with free sample of medication all the time. I especially ask for free samples when my doctor wants me to try a new medication. Why shell out your own money only to find out they don't work for you or that you cannot tolerate the side effects? I don't take a lot of meds, but those that I take on a regular basis come from a mail order company, so I ask my doc for samples to get me through until the meds arrive in the mail, as this can often take two weeks. Otherwise I'd have to buy a temporary supply at the pharmacy. I worked for an oncologist and a hematologist and they were so busy they didn't think to offer free samples unless the patient asked or I asked on their behalf.

Companies with new products to promote are often eager for you to try them. Even if they don't offer them outright, if you're interested in a new breakfast cereal or cleaning product, email the company and tell them you'd like a sample so you can try it. In many cases they will send you a coupon or a trial size, or at least a discount coupon.

Saturday at many chain stores and grocery stores is a great time to try free samples. Admittedly, you'll probably have to try the food item samples in the store, but it is fund to check out a new cracker or dip, and they do tend to have coupons for that item if you wish to purchase it.

Search the web for free sample sites. There are quite a few of them and you will probably have to register, so in my opinion your not getting free anything because you are providing your personal information - so think before you sign up and you'll probably getting more junk mail or span. Also, if they want five-dollars to send you a free sample, pass on it. This is quite a scam, since a tiny sample of a pain medication or personal hygiene product should not cost much to ship.

If you shop at Farmer's Markets, and I suggest you do, the vendors are often more than happy to hand over a free sample of cheese, fruit or anything they have available for sale. I shop at our local Farmers Market every week and the vendors know me and are pleased to give me a free of a new flavor of cheese or the latest berries to try. Deli's will let you try a slice of luncheon meat or a bit of cole slaw or other salads so you can know if you will like them before you buy them. Mine also know that I most often like what they give me to try and buy some. It's god business!

We stopped at a roadside stand on a trip through Georgia and I'd heard about boiled peanuts. So, I ordered a bowl. The lady behind the counter suggested I try a small free sample first. I'm so glad I did. I know many people love them, but for me it was perhaps the worst thing I'd ever experienced. She got a great laugh at my reaction to my first taste and admitted that although her husband loves the stuff, she can't choke it down and didn't want me to be stuck with a big bowl full!

Don't be afraid to ask for free sample. Many times companies and vendors are more than happy to provide them. And especially ask your doctor as the don't realize how financially challenged most of us are and don' think to offer them.

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