You get nothing in this life for free… or do you? Well, you’ll be pleased to know that there are companies out there giving away freebies. Take a look at this list of companies that give away free samples to UK customers and where to find them.
Which companies give free samples?
There are plenty of companies that give away free samples, but the below tend to be the most common.
- Kelloggs
- Persil
- Clinique
- Ariel
- Cadbury
- Mars
- Nivea
- Dove
- Fairy
It’s just a matter of knowing where to look and how to get hold of these samples. But bear in mind that offers change regularly and are often snapped up very quickly.
But before you go searching, here are a couple worth checking out:
Why do companies give away free samples?
It would be nice to think that they’re doing it to give something back to society. But the truth is, companies love to give away freebies because it lures you in. They think that once you’ve tried their product, you’ll be a customer for life. On top of this, it’s also great publicity. As people share with others how they’ve managed to get a free item, it’s also free advertising for the company.
Also worth reading
What kind of items can you get for free?
There are so many products that you can get for free. It could be biscuits, crisps or drinks, or something you use around the house like dishwasher tablets or cleaning sprays. These aren’t expensive products, but they soon add up over time.
Ways to get free samples in the UK
So without further ado, here are some of the best ways to get free samples.
Check social media and deal sites
And who thought social media was just for people who wanted to show off or look at random images of cats? As you scroll through your daily fix, keep an eye out for the sponsored content as you may come across some free products on offer. Then click on the link and it’s just a case of filling in a few basic details and you’ll then be sent your item. As a little tip, search for ‘free samples’ on Google before you visit your social media site. That way, it will be stored in your cookies and Facebook and all the other sites are more likely to show you freebies.
Deal sites are also another great place to look. Some free samples will only be available for a short while before other users snap them up. Keep an eye on places like Hotukdeals, Super Savvy Me and Latest Free Stuff.
Product testing sites
One of the best ways to get hold of free products and samples is through product testing sites. Companies want to get your opinion on goods they’re bringing to market, so will send out samples to selected people. And if you provide good, detailed reports, then there’s a good chance you’ll receive even more.
Companies like Tesco and Boots have their own sampling panels, but spaces are limited so you may not always be able to join. And if you can’t, a decent alternative would be to join a survey site such as Ipsos iSay or Valued Opinions. You’re not always guaranteed to receive product tests with these sites, but if you do, you’ll also get paid for it too!
Take a look at my post on how to become a product tester in the UK.
Shopmium
Shopmium is an app that encourages you to buy new items while shopping at supermarkets. These are either heavily discounted or completely free. All you need to do is download Shopmium to your phone and see which offers take your fancy. Then buy the item, take a photo of your receipt and wait to receive a refund.
And when you join, use the code AMUAFFUR and you’ll receive a free item.
Apple users can download here or Android users can download here.
And Shopmium isn’t the only app that gives you access to discounted items. Take a look at some of the best receipt scanning apps.
Competitions
If you’re an avid social media fan, then there are plenty of chances to win free products or vouchers just by answering some simple questions. Prizes often include cleaning products or £50 worth of vouchers and can be run several times each month. Check out Facebook pages from major retailers like B&M and Poundstretcher.
Complain
Another way to get free products is through complaining. Now, I’m sure we’ve all opened an item at some point to find that it’s gone off, or opened a packet only to find out it’s almost empty. Usually, you’ll just accept it and move on. But if you’re genuinely not happy with something, then complain. Companies actually want to know when you have a bad experience so they can avoid it in the future.
You can complain by visiting the company’s website and finding an email address. Include everything that’s happened and try to include photos of the product and receipt if you can. Stick to the facts and don’t make any demands.
I recently received £5 worth of vouchers from Coca-Cola after one of their cans exploded for no apparent reason. I also received £5 worth of vouchers from Walkers as one of my bags of crisps contained just a lump of flavouring! In all honesty, I would have been happy just for a simple refund, but extra vouchers do give me confidence that the company actually cares.
Compliment
Although companies want to hear when something has gone wrong, they also like to know when they’re doing something right.
Let them know if you’ve particularly enjoyed one of their products or you’ve seen one of their adverts that you have enjoyed. Take your time and be as detailed as possible when describing the good points. And you’ll never know, they may send you a little something for taking the trouble in providing feedback.
Free food
Fortunately, we are becoming far more aware of the waste we cause, especially with the amount of food we throw away.
The Olio app allows users to share food they no longer want with other users. Some food may be past its sell-by date, but not always.
Take a look at my post for other ways to find free or cheap food.