The Ultimate Free Stuff Guide – Five Tricks You Must Try!
While the saying not everything in life is free, if of course true – there are a few things you can get for free. Check out these tips below.
Don’t be afraid to complain
Now I am not about to ask you to take up complaining as a living and you most definitely shouldn’t be pretending things are wrong when they are perfectly fine. What I mean is, there is nothing wrong with being vocal about legitimate concerns.
For instance, let’s say that you’re at a restaurant and there is something wrong with your food, you shouldn’t feel you need to just eat and pay for the meal without having mentioned your issues. Instead let the management know the problem, after all this is your right as a customer and you might find you are offered a free dessert or meal as a way to say sorry.
However, remember to always be polite and explain your issues, without losing your tempter.
This technique can work in many different situations, for instance this article about customer service complaints, got into the various situations you could find yourself in and have every right to complain over.
Don’t feel any shame in asking; what deal you could make me?
If you’re making a new purchase, especially something large, say an electrical appliance, don’t hesitate to ask the salesperson to make things a bit more exciting for you. Sales Staff are often working on some sort of commission basis and as such are happy to try and accommodate you with a few little “extras” to help finalise the sale.
For instance you could ask for a free software package; perhaps an anti-virus while purchasing a new computer, a free carry case with a new laptop or some free mobile phone accessories along with the product of your choice.
Go Mystery Shopping.
You can become a mystery shopper by signing up on websites like Mystery Shoppers or the UK Mystery Shopper Employment Agency and all you need to do is report back on the customer services of each shop.
A lot of mystery shoppers get paid on a daily basis or per hour for the jobs they complete, which can be anything from reporting on meals at various restaurants, to being able to have an overnight stay in a beautiful hotel. The only drawback of mystery shopping is that you have to pay for all of the services yourself and then wait to be refunded after you have submitted your evaluation.
You may just find as well that as your reputation builds, you are offered the chance to try out bigger and better opportunities. Do remember you need to register with HMRC if you are earning money from anything like mystery shopping or completing surveys.
Enjoy Being Under 26.
Did you know that if you are under the age of 26 then you can apply for free tickets to one of over 200 theatres across the UK from the Arts Council England? You just need to keep a look out for theatres that are a part of the Art Council’s A Night Less Ordinary initiative and then apply for tickets to the venue of your choice.
Remember that you will be asked to provide your ID or some other authentic proof that you are under 26 to get your free theater tickets.
Freebie Websites: The Best Way to Go!
One of the best ways to keep on top of all those freebies, being offered from companies around the internet, is to sign up to a website that offers an up to date list of as many as they kind find. I would suggest setting up another email account to apply for freebies as sometimes these companies do pass your details on.
However, on the whole they are hoping that you will love the sample, switch to buying it yourself and of course use word of mouth to get the word out to your friends and family. When it comes to finding a website that lists freebies, ask around for those ones people recommend, such as WOWFreeStuff to try and get access to only the most current deals.
What is your top tip for enjoy some free bits?
*This is a collaborative post.
Love it, love it, LOVE IT! My blog had its beginnings as a sweeps blog, so I totally appreciate getting free stuff! Nothing is better than free. Thanks for sharing this. I’ll be putting this info to good use.
I love the name of your blog, great play on words. x
I love to send off for free stuff and manage to get samples fairly regularly. I use a variety of sites, but rather than give them my email address, I just bookmark them and go directly to the freebie site. Otherwise, some freebie sites will sell your email address and you end up with loads of spam.
Watch out also for samples that are not being given away by the manufacturer or a shop or magazine. There are several “email harvesting” sites (Toluna, OfferX, TopFox, etc.) which only offer samples & competitions in order to get your address which they then sell.
I also find doing blog reviews is surprising interesting too and can get some amazing things off companies xx
That is very true – I don’t think of it as free I guess as there is so much work that goes into it when your reviewing (perhaps I shouldn’t have included mystery shopping for that reason as well) lol x
being a mystery shopper really appeals to me
It is definitely something I want to do more of I think 🙂 x
Great post, I really should look into this more I hear of people that seem to get freebies all the time and it would be great to do the same.
I used to do it loads back in the day there was a form I used a lot and freebies were a plenty! x
I love couponing, saving them up, going shopping and getting a load of freebies. I just alter meals around to what I have got.
I wish we did couponing as much as other countries did – they seem few and far between here 🙁 x
I will try these tricks, I want to experience getting free stuff too. Being a mystery shopper sounds really cool!
Thanks for the tips Sarah, I had no idea about the theatre tickets thing! I’ll definitely check that out.
– Emily
No problem at all I hope you manage to get yourself some good tickets 😉 x
I think I would enjoy mystery shopping. I have had a few friends who participated in this kind of stuff and they said they were paid good money. Mystery shopping is a great way for business owners to get feedback about how their employees treat the customers.
It really is – I want to try and get more involved in it when I am more settled. x
I have so many tips to get free stuff. I subscribe to Money Saving Expert emails and they are great to get savings and freebies for starters
These seem like fantastic options for those in the UK!
This is such a good post, I agree with all the tips. I love freebie hunting and always look for a good deal.
I love SoPost for their freebies when they pop up they seem to offer some really good ones from time to time. x
I live getting free stuff. Just yesterday, I checked the yelp app for a local pizza joint that wasn’t a chain and came up with one that offered a free large order of breadsticks with my choice of original or cheese. Was nice to get that lil freebie offer since the pizza was a lil spendy.
Oh wow that is amazing, nothing like a little freebie to make you feel happier about a purchase no matter what it is 😉 x
Thanks for the tips! Bookmarking for next time I’m traveling.
What a great guide on getting free stuff and tricks to do so. This is really a neat concept, I never thought of it!
The best things in life are definitely free haha, I might see if I can do some mystery shopping. How soon after would they reimburse you?
I think it depends campaign to campaign – but it is relatively quickly 🙂 x
I didn’t know you paid up front for your mystery shopping things. I had a mystery shopper come through my line once when I was a cashier many years ago, to see if I would ring up his alcohol without asking for I.D.
I like the idea of being a mystery shopper. I am dreaming of doing it and see how does the employees will react if they found out! The free movie ticket is a great deal!
How cool that can get free tickets to watch theater
I keep meaning to sign up as a mystery shopper, seems like a fun way to earn a bit of money and be useful at the same time!
Great tips Sarah. I do some of these.
I love free items now and again. I usually ask when I’m buying an item.
This is wonderful! I love this list of freebies! I will be trying some of them for sure!
xoxo, Candice
I’ve always thought mystery shopping would be fun, but never knew if it was legit.
There are non-legit companies out there, the best thing to do is ask around and see what other people use and recommend 🙂 x
How can you resist free stuff, right? Thanks for all the tips. I normally just go look for deals and that’s it. I’ll be sure to check that website out!
Most definitely there is nothing like a freebie to trial! x
The idea of free things can be nice. I’d love to find some free things, I have looked but in the end what was promised to be free wasn’t and was too good to be true.
Oh no that is a shame 🙁 I know it happens but don’t let it put you off everything, ask around and see where other get them from 🙂 x
My Dad always used to ask what deals a store or service could give him – and it always used to embarrass me, and if there was ever something wrong with something I had ordered – whether it be food or something else – I never had the guts to complain.
But I’m better at it now, haha! In fact, I’ve just literally gotten a refund for a parcel that was supposed to have arrived yesterday – so now whenever it decides to make an appareance, I’ll have gotten it for free! 😉
These are great tips, I never knew about the theatre tickets! Thank-you ? X
Free is great. My husband and I had a bad experience with a hotel in Dallas back in March when we went there for a wedding. 4 out of there 6 elevators were not working and the wait was over a half hour. There was no water one whole day. I could go on and on. They had a convention going on and they just could not accommodate the number of guests. We did complain when we were leaving and we received our room free. We really hardly even had to say anything. They just knew. Other relatives that were with us, didn’t say anything and paid full price. So yes, don’t be afraid to complain.
Oh my gosh that is awful! I am so glad he stood up and complained and got something for such an awful experience! x
I love the idea of mystery shopping!! These are all great ways to get things to try for free!
As long as you go with a good company I think it can really be a lot of fun as well. x
Wonderful suggestions! I think I have all the stuff I need but a friend of mine is all about free stuff and stockpiling so this would be perfect for her. I had no idea there way any way to get free movie tickets, thats a score!
It is awesome isn’t it – I wish I had known when I was young enough to have taken advantage lol. x
I love your suggestion letting 26 year olds know about complimentary tickets, but voicing your dislike with hopes of getting a free meal is a bit unsettling. “Don’t feel any shame in asking; what deal you could make me?” sounds a bit harsh. Let them offer something and negotiate from there. You’ll get more bees with honey.
In the UK we hardly ever complain – we sit back and just accept a bad meal, it can come cold and we would eat it up in silence and pay and leave. Perhaps I badly worded it – but I don’t think people should just accept a bad meal they should voice their concerns and if it isn’t rectified why should they just put up with it? Hope that makes a little more sense.
When I travel in U.S., I always like to stop at the tourism welcoming centers as you’ll always find plenty of freebies including key chains and other souvenir trinkets, postcards, calendars and plenty of discount coupons for attractions and restaurants in the area.
Oh that is so cool, I’ll have to remember that if I ever make it back to the US again 🙂 x
Those are great suggestions for saving a little bit of money. I used to be better about scoring online deals, but have gotten lax with that one. Time to start again!
I think every little you save can make a huge difference over all and samples can definitely introduce you to a new produce love as well. x
How cool that you can get free movie tickets. I have always thought it would be fun to be a mystery shopper.
I always think it would be good fun as well – especially if you got to go to some locations you perhaps wouldn’t normally as well. x
I’ve done mystery shopping before. it was a fun way to try new things for free.
I love the fact you get to try new things with it 🙂 x
I had no idea about the free theatre tickets, I’ve just turned 27 – d’oh!
Why must we grow older and not be allowed these things lol. x
Everyone loves a good freebie and you never have to look too far to find a decent one x
Most definitely – I am loving SoPost for them – hope they keep them up for a while to come 😉 x
When I travel, I started looking for free things to do in the area and all of them turned to be better experiences than the hot spots for tourists. Haha. It’s an interesting information from the Arts Council England. I still have three years to enjoy it. Yay!
It is amazing the things you can find if you do nose around isn’t it – sometimes getting off the beaten trail finds you all sorts of treasures. x