Beware trying to help customers with a free sample

[SillyJokes]

Just thought I would publish our findings after trying to implement a useful feature on our site.

We sell coloured paper napkins and are often asked for samples so we designed a page where people could order one on the net to reduce our phone time and make it even cheaper for them (no phone bill).

Within a day or so a 'Freebie' site had picked up on it and the sample requests came flooding in. You could tell they were 'Freebie Hunters' because instead of asking for 2 or 3 they asked for one of every colour, the greedy devils.

Very soon the link was being picked up across the web and we were getting 30 plus sample orders a day from just 8 sites.

So we have had to scrap the tool and go back to taking sample orders by phone. Hey Presto - no more freebie hunter requests. They can't have really needed those napkins after all.

I'm so cheesed off about it. We were trying to help genuine customers and spent time and effort on a useful tool only to have the mickey taken by the hordes of people out there who would spend the time to fill out a form just to get a couple of mismatched paper napkins.

My message to you, be careful what you offer for free, even a paper napkin is ridiculously desirable.

My message to freebie hunters: Get a life!

Mind you, it is a way to get a lot of links very quickly I suppose.

 

[The_JinJ]

Just thought I would publish our findings after trying to implement a useful feature on our site.

We sell coloured paper napkins and are often asked for samples so we designed a page where people could order one on the net to reduce our phone time and make it even cheaper for them (no phone bill).

Within a day or so a 'Freebie' site had picked up on it and the sample requests came flooding in. You could tell they were 'Freebie Hunters' because instead of asking for 2 or 3 they asked for one of every colour, the greedy devils.

Very soon the link was being picked up across the web and we were getting 30 plus sample orders a day from just 8 sites.

So we have had to scrap the tool and go back to taking sample orders by phone. Hey Presto - no more freebie hunter requests. They can't have really needed those napkins after all.

I'm so cheesed off about it. We were trying to help genuine customers and spent time and effort on a useful tool only to have the mickey taken by the hordes of people out there who would spend the time to fill out a form just to get a couple of mismatched paper napkins.

My message to you, be careful what you offer for free, even a paper napkin is ridiculously desirable.

My message to freebie hunters: Get a life!

Mind you, it is a way to get a lot of links very quickly I suppose.

There are quite a few forums which have bargain sections - all people do is lurk about and leech any old bargain wether it interests them or not....

BTW
Can I have 2 of each colour

 

[SillyJokes]

BTW
Can I have 2 of each colour

Gercha!!!!

BTW You look suspiciously like someone else I know

This is Top Hat on a good day - it was actually used by the BBC in Question of Sport once. And they paid us for it!

 

[The_JinJ]

Ah so you've met my twin brother lol

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

Did you make people register before they could get their freebies ? That would slow alot down and provide a nice mailing list for you

 

[Webstuff]

Or use smallprint;

"Free napkin with every purchase of car"

Sorry to hear about this SillyJokes, I had a similar problem offering trial versions of software... Lots of websites ended up using it without paying. Its a shame, because theres always some genuinely interested customers who really want to sample the product before buying for it.

 

[Cornish Steve]

The topic of free samples is on my mind right now.

Consistent with our core values, we are trying to help several deserving groups by offering an allowance of free training each month. It helps us to fill any empty seats in our classes during these early months, it gets our name out there, and it's satisfying to know that we are helping people in need. In particular, anyone falling into one of the following categories can apply for free training:

1) Anyone who recently lost a job.

2) Anyone who is physically disabled or deaf.

3) Single mums or mothers looking to return to the workplace.

4) Anyone with immediate family serving overseas in the military.

Consistent with this program, I contacted two large companies who are laying off workers. I've made good progress with one technology company; we are hoping to include details of our offer in displacement packages.

I've made no progress at all with another big company, so I took the time to post details of our offer to a popular discussion board frequented by employees of that company. In response, I've received a heavy dose of cynicism.

I understand that the world is plagued with scams and fraudsters, but I did all I could to convince site visitors that our offer is genuine. I've responded politely to each sarcastic message and been totally open about my company. One person at the site is beginning to believe me, but I've been lambasted by the rest.

As a next step, I plan to contact some local journalists to see if I can persuade them to publish an article about our program. This ought to buy us some credibility.

Does anyone have any advice about how to convince cynics that our offer of free training is genuine? Maybe I should be giving away coloured napkins!

 

[SillyJokes]

Did you make people register before they could get their freebies ? That would slow alot down and provide a nice mailing list for you

No, what's the point? These people want something for nothing, they are not interested in buying.

Goldstrsteve

I think you problem is, without being to put my finger on it, your site looks a bit scammy. There is a roughness to it, as if it has not been put together professionally.

You'll need to get a couple of people to do the course and then use word of mouth recommendations to get started.

 

[kyber]

Consistent with our core values, we are trying to help several deserving groups by offering an allowance of free training each month.

[snip]

Does anyone have any advice about how to convince cynics that our offer of free training is genuine? Maybe I should be giving away coloured napkins!

Sad isn't it. I have seen this before. The only way around it I know of is to gain some "badges of honour" as I would call it. By this I mean becoming a sponsor/associate of some organisations focused on helping the people you are offering help to. This gives some credibility that you are genuine about offering this service.

Stuart

 

[kyber]

LAM Design had a problem with people asking for free fabric samples. These can be expensive to obtain especially for the fancier fabrics. We now take a small fee for such samples (discounted of the final price if they go ahead and purchase a suit/dress/etc.).

Stuart

 

[Cornish Steve]

I think you problem is, without being to put my finger on it, your site looks a bit scammy. There is a roughness to it, as if it has not been put together professionally.

I admit to being an amateur at websites. We've done our best to create a decent site without spending a fortune. Based on the feedback from this forum, we plan several changes; I hope they'll help. If you can offer any specific advice, it will really help us.

I appreciate your candor.

 

[c2webdesign]

I have dealt with many freebie sites in the past. Yes there are many people out there that will cling on to the merest of freebie (and I can't really see the use of applying for unless you really are interested in it - but there you go).

You can either try:

- Offering the freebie via your newsletter thus reducing the chance the freebie sites will find it

- Many freebie sites are aware of the effect they have on small businesses and a simple email asking them to remove the link is generally quite effective.

- If it is a freebie that is generally useful you could try asking the visitor to send in a S.A.E - that way you eliminate many of the 'freebie surfers'

- Ask the visitor on the request form how they heard about the freebie. Many are honest enough to tell you - this way you can find out where they are coming from to either cease the freebies or contact the site to remove the link

I know this is not ideal but it does give a couple of options.

Dean
C2 Web Design
http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk

Web Design | Online Marketing | Search Engine Optimisation

 

[c2webdesign]

Steve

Your request for specific suggestions about your site made me take a quick look and my suggestion is to remove all the blue from the home page - it is too contrasting with the background colour.

Replace the blue with different shades of the search image colour (top right of your page) or try light brown.

I would also think about changing the font.

Hope this helps,
Dean
C2 Web Design
http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk

Web Design | Online Marketing | Search Engine Optimisation

 

[Webstuff]

Or just match up HTTP_REFFERER to a blacklist, and give them the old "You've been bunnied" thing if they're freebie munchers.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Steve

Your request for specific suggestions about your site made me take a quick look and my suggestion is to remove all the blue from the home page - it is too contrasting with the background colour.

Replace the blue with different shades of the search image colour (top right of your page) or try light brown.

I would also think about changing the font.

Hope this helps,
Dean
C2 Web Design
http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk

Web Design | Online Marketing | Search Engine Optimisation

Dean,

Thanks - your advice is well taken. We'll play around with Mambo to find better colour combinations.

 

[SillyJokes]

Oh, don't worry, we soon had the referrer coming through on the requests and simply ignored the ones that came from freebie sites.

But we have now gone back to the just the phone number. It's a drag when you try and make everything easier using the power of the internet but then you have to go right back to phone calls.

We are also asked for free samples on other products, mostly from companies but I make them pay for those.

I'm not funding their proposals to their clients which has to include something 'jokey' to illustrate just how much 'fun' they might be to work with.

If they have to pay for the sample it makes them think twice about wasting our time.

 

[c2webdesign]

Whereby I agree it is a costly excercise to give away a ton of freebies to just 'freebie hunters', it is worth pointing out that some freebie sites turnover thousands pf £s a month - usually with affiliate schemes. Meaning the visitors to the freebie sites do part with their cash, and quite often, when they are clicking through affiliate links and spending money.

Only because this is related it is worth pointing out that if you ever produce an offer entitling your visitor to a free gift or incentive per purchase - then the freebie sites would be interested in knowing this to - which can work highly in your favour!

Its relatively instant, and free, advertising/marketing. It's worth bearing in mind.

Dean
C2 Web Design
http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk

Web Design | Online Marketing | Search Engine Optimisation

Sign up for a FREE Search Engine Optimisation newsletter at http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk

 

[SillyJokes]

c2webdesign, I know about the money the freebie sites turnover, many of my affiliates own freebie sites and I have had discussions with them about whether freebie customers make money for the merchant.

Unfortunately we disagreed. You need an awful lot of freebie traffic to make a sale.

The webmasters of the freebie sites argue that they earn a lot of commission so their visitors must be spending - but a lot of merchants give excellent discounts to first time orders - I wonder how many freebie customers go on to make a second money making purchase when the 'freebie' is not on offer.

I think you are right in saying that having a freebie on your site would generate a lot of links and traffic almost instantly - but it's not free as you have to offer an item and send it out as well as build the page.