Does Free Ever Really Mean Free?
Does Free Ever Really Mean Free?
These days you can’t help but stumble across the word ‘FREE’ whether actively looking to buy something or not. A marketer’s dream this overused term can be found emblazoned across press ads plastered throughout supermarkets and is frequently cited on the radio and TV.
BUT the question many of us will ask ourselves is Does ‘Free’ ever really mean ‘Free’?
We are all drawn towards the promise of ‘Free’ services and products. But should we be more cynical about such claims? A prime example of the everexpanding ‘Free’ marketplace comes from a wellknown telecoms company. ‘Signup to our Broadband Service from only 19.99 a month and get a brandnew laptop for free’ An attractive sounding proposition at first glance but once you start working your way through all the small print and the endless caveats you soon realise that it’s simply a way of spreading the cost. Not to mention the additional services you’re obliged to signup to i.e. their Talk Service on the side.
An equally dodgy freebie would have to be the popular ‘Buy one get one free’ device. A deal regularly offered in furniture outlets. Translated into more precise terms ‘Spend through the nose and well over the odds for one sofa and receive a smaller cheaper second version for free.’ Any savvy moneyminded consumer must undoubtedly see through this marketing speak?
Cynicism setaside surely there must be some genuinely ‘Free’ products or services out there? There are of course various ‘Free Sample’ sites that if trawled through can sometimes produce a free teabag or lollipop. Most of the time however there is some sort of competition process or hoop you’re asked to jump through to get anywhere near receiving something for nothing.
There is one site out there however which genuinely does do what it says on the tin. Soontolaunch UKbased wine company Naked Wines is offering three free bottles of wine to 100 customers signingup to become a ‘Naked Wines Taster.’ Yes you do have to answer a few questions 6 to be precise and yes you are expected to taste the wine with friends not too onerous a task then! BUT the 100 volunteers who are selected will receive three free bottles of wine through the post for absolutely nothing.
Refreshingly simple and genuinely ‘FREE’.
About the writer: Kris smith is the author of this article. For anyone interested in claiming their three free bottles you can find out more at www.nakedwines.com
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