Back to Tangible FreebiesNon-Free Bargains
Beyond resources for getting free stuff, there are also many options for getting good bargains. This page was created because those who seek free items may also be interested in other ways to save.
"Free" but not Actually Free
The word "free" is a favorite in marketing because people love to see it. However, true deal-seekers are able to avoid the shopping psychology games and recognize what is and isn't actually free. The following examples show some common marketing schemes that use the word "free" when you actually have to pay.
- Free Trial - Free trials usually have a time limit and they usually require a credit card (but not always). The ones that do require credit card information will charge that card automatically once the trial is over. If you want a free trial that is actually free, you'll have to beat the machine. Read Free Trials for more info.
- Free Demo - This term is often used with software that has a time limit. You can use the software, try it, possibly with watermarks. But once the trial is over, you have to pay for it to keep using it. See Free Software for software that is actually free, not trials or demos.
- Free Quote - Great, I'm glad you're not charging me just to find out how much you're going to charge me. I really appreciate it.
- Free Initial Consultation - In other words, let our sales rep take all the time he needs to convince you to buy something from us. We won't charge you a thing for letting our sales rep use up your time.
- Free Tour of Members Area - This is a common phrase used with websites that charge for access to a members area. Usually the tour just lets you see what the members area looks like, its not actually access to the members area.
- Free Shipping - Free shipping online often comes with the stipulation that you spend a certain amount. Other stores don't require a minimum limit, however their prices are so inflated they don't have to set a minimum. Its easy to offer free shipping when you're spending so much that they can make a decent profit margin even when shipping is included. They actually get you to spend more with this one. A free shipping offer that may actually be a good deal is when they offer site to store pick-up.
- Buy One Get One Free and variations (buy 2 get 1 free, etc.) - Here is another one where they sometimes get you to spend more. Its easy to offer one for free when they charge double the price for one. Sometimes Extreme Couponers are able to make these deals free.
- Kids Eat Free - In some cases these may be a good deal, if you happen to be eating out. Its certainly better than paying for a kids meal and the price on the menu doesn't really change. They use the word "free" here, although its not actually free because you have to purchase the adult meals. And even when they don't charge for the kids meals, it would still cost less to feed your family if you cooked at home.
- Free Extras - These are seen all the time on TV infomercials. They give you the price of the main product (usually around $19.95 or $24.95) and then they say that if you act now you'll get free extras. They'll even say the extras are worth around $25 when in fact the price of manufacturing the entire package is less than $8 since they do it in bulk. These "free" extras that you only get if you purchase the product are usually cheap in quality.
- Free Coupon - Yes, we'll give you this little paper for free which says that you'll get 15% off a purchase of $50 or more. In other words, will you give me $42.50 please; I won't charge you anything to give me $42.50. Coupons can be great non-free bargains if they are used properly and there are even ways to get freebies with coupons.
- Cash Back "Free" Programs - Rewards programs are great cash-back deals if you are able to forget that you are part of the program and spend the way you would without the program. These programs entice people to spend more on products they wouldn't buy otherwise to reach the payout limit. There is a way to use them to get freebies at no extra cost, see Rewards Programs.
- Free After Activation - This one is used by cell phone companies. They give you a cell phone once you've signed over your life to them for a 2 year contract with hefty fees if you want to "opt out" early.
- Free After Rebate - These are actually free (not including sales tax in some situations) for the people that actually take the time to fill out the rebate and send it in. Those who don't actually fill out the rebate paid full price for the item. See Free After Rebate.
Garage Sales, Yard Sales, Swap Meets
My wife went jogging one day and happened to pass by a yard sale which had a game that we had been meaning to buy. The game was Ticket To Ride, which retails for $50. When she finished her jog, she sent me back to the yard sale and I bought Ticket To Ride and The Game of Life, which retails for $15. I only paid $1 for each game! The family hosting the yard sale had never played Ticket To Ride so it was brand new and The Game of Life was complete and in excellent condition. So basically we got $65 worth of games for only $2. Way to spot that one honey! Garage sales are great because people are getting rid of the stuff one way or another; they can either take your haggled reduced offer or throw the item away. Check the The Classified Ads websites directory to find classified ads for garage sales in your area. Online classified ads are also great because they offer a local marketplace, essentially one big garage sale or swap meet online. I had a friend tell me once that he'd rather spend $5 on Craigslist to save time than spend hours (or days) looking for a useful free item. Swap meets are basically the same as garage sales, they just don't happen in an individual's garage. You can get similar deals though.
Thrift Stores, Pawn Shops, Second Hand Stores
Find the items that made it past the garage sale and into the donation pile. The prices are usually higher than garage-sale prices but still much lower than a discount store. Be careful at pawn shops because the owners are usually practiced at bartering. You can haggle the price no matter what the listed price is and if they don't let you at a particular location then go to a different pawn shop. Second hand stores either get their merchandise used from a non-business entity (you and me clearing out our closets) or from retailers that couldn't sell the item at retail price. Either way the items are cheaper. See Thrift Stores, Pawn Shops, etc. Also see ThriftShopper.com for a directory of thrift stores. Some thrift stores are particularly good to buy from since they support charity and welfare for families in need.
Auctions
With the right technique, auctions are a great way to get items at reduced prices. Just don't get caught in a bidding war or you might end up paying more. There will always be another auction coming around, most items are not once-in-a-lifetime offers. Just be patient. Also predetermine what you are willing to spend for the item in your mind and do NOT cross that line.
The most well-known online auction site is eBay. If you are a seller there are free alternatives to eBay, however as a buyer, eBay may be the best way to find the item you want since it is so popular. Other people are able to find good deals at Government Auctions. Don't ever pay for access to directories and databases that tell you where you can find government auctions. If you want something that the government provides, go straight to the source - USA.gov, USA.gov Auctions. Also check the website of your State to find State government auctions.
See also Actually Free Wholesale, Auction and Liquidation Directory.
Unclaimed Items for Sale
Once items get lost in the mail or through the airlines, and there has been sufficient effort to find the owner with no success, then these items are sent to stores and displayed for sale. The prices are usually a bargain.
$1 Deals
Dollar stores should not be thought of as the default discount store because even at $1 some of the items are over-priced. They can, however, be part of the arsenal of discount stores that are used for their particular good deals.
Other $1 deals (or near $1)
- RedBox - Movie and video game rentals for $1-$1.20 per night
- Megabus - Bus tickets for $1 if you're one of the first to buy, limited destinations
- Submit a $1 resource.
Super Discount StoresThe option for cheap and brand new (though not necessarily the best quality). Watch out for discount stores that have "dollar" in their name; they're not necessarily dollar stores where everything is $1, though they are still discount stores.
Buy In Bulk to Save
If you use the strategy of buying in bulk, then you must have the restraint not to use in bulk if you actually want to save (otherwise you're actually spending and using more).
Webstores with Free Shipping
- FreeShipping.org (free shipping codes and offers at multiple stores)
- FreeShippingOn.com
- Amazon.com (orders over $25, if you're short you can try FillerItem.com, but only use it if the difference between what you're buying and $25 is less than what you'd pay in shipping.)
- Another option is to pick items that have free site to store delivery, then you can pick up the product at the local branch of the store when the item is received.
Free for Kids with Adult purchase
Kids eat free! (May only be on select days and locations)
- KidsMealDeals.com
- Denny's
- Lone Star Steakhouse
- Roadhouse Grill
- IHOP
- Golden Corral
- Marie Callender's
- Chevy's
- Applebee's
- Captain D's
- Dickey's Barbecue Pit
- Luby's
- Perkins
- Steak 'n Shake
- Many others
Other
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