Do You Buy Products Because of The Free Promotional Items?

I admit, I’m a sucker for the free things that marketers of consumer goods use to drive more sales. I’m not talking about the high-end promotional items that big companies giveaway. I’m talking about small household stuff like free ladles, free pot holders, little toys, designer cans, small containers etc.

My reasoning? I’m going to buy the brand at one time anyway, so why not buy it now while there’s a freebie?

This week, I bought a bottle of oyster sauce because there’s a free kitchen recipe notebook. I have used it once, but I wish I hadn’t. I really like collecting these stuff. The last time, I bought all four flavors of a soup brand I love anyway because of the free family soup dishware.

I know there probably won’t be much chances to get bigger freebies like umbrellas and such, but what really amazes me is the way the marketers seem to know exactly what the consumers want. To sell a few packs of oatmeal at once, they put in a huge oatmeal storage bin as freebie. To sell two loaves of bread, they put in a jar of sandwich spread. To sell 3 packs of diapers, they put in children’s songs CD.

So much thought goes into these promo items, and I think looking out for these freebies is one of the high points of my grocery shopping. Only, the hubby rolls his eyes every once in a while when he notices my freebie collection growing.