I never pass up a sample, even if I cannot use it. Usually, I know someone who can. After all, there are my three children, dil, a grandteen, and three grandchildren in my immediate sight who probably can. Then, there are other people, friends and acquaintances with whom I share small favors.
Wait, I lied. I was offered a small sample of hot coffee last Saturday. Since it was meant to be drunk right there out of minuscule cup, and I will not, do not, drink coffee of any sort, there was no sense in taking it. Coffee spilled on me was the last thing I needed that day. Sample of free, edible food must be wrapped or capped (unless I am not going to eat it immediately) to lure me.
Oops, I was mistaken. All the Avon products are full-sized. Only the Colgate and White Rain soap are sample sizes. So, I am a freebie whore, too.
Since I try to do the right thing, I always wonder why I get tripped up by samples. They are using too much plastic and other wrappings, just more fodder for the landfills. Samples to me are like shiny, glittery things are to raccoons. I am easily lured and trapped.
Okay, so Tuesday I went to the farmer's market, the one only local farmers and their locally grown food can use. Since I was at the tail end of market day, tomatoes were the only things that I saw that I wanted. I would have bought rhubarb if I had come earlier. Strawberries were already waiting for me at home.
I had parked across the street from the market and noticed as I went to the market that behind me in a parking lot were several huge tents, all pretty, well-attended, and customers milling around. A guy who is a friend at the market told me to go there and get samples. I did. It was Avon. Now, I never buy Avon, but I might. SkinSoSoft is lovely, but I am afraid I might slip in the tub if I use it. Really, the scent is so heavenly, I could use it as cologne.
Most of the Avon items are not samples. Only Colgate and White Rain soap are samples. Remember? They all came in a really heavy plastic bag that I can reuse. Here is what I got, what ex bf (he gave me his bag) and I got:
2 men's roll-on deodorant--gave to him
2 bug spray...will use
1 black cherry and nutmeg shower gel in a candy cane---cute!
1 vanilla moisturizing shower gel in a candy cane...cute, too...for daughter
7 strawberry lip balms...nice on the lips. I recommend this.
3 sample sizes of Colgate toothpaste...wonder if this was in my other free bag?
2 hotel size, White Rain, French milled facial bar, not Avon, either?
Anyway, ex bf took the deodorant. The rest is mine. Daughter and granddaughter will get two of the lip balms. If they rave over it, later I will send more. I got a little bag of samples as I hurried out of WM the other day, so maybe the Colgate and White Rain soap were in that bag. I wonder where that WM bag is. My recipients listed in the first paragraph will get the toothpaste. Maybe I will try my hand at making laundry soap with the French milled soap.
See, I can use all these samples/freebies or pass them on.
Oooh, there is a Disney Princess on the lip balm. Will I turn young, and blond, and beautiful if I use this? Okay, young would work!
My willpower did not fail me. I never took a vow or spoke an oath or made a resolution to avoid samples. I should have. But, I did not and won't. Yes, this is another small economy, albeit one that is leading us down a strawberry lip balm highway to landfill doom.
I suppose I am a sample whore and a freebie whore. Burn me at the stake. Make me wear a purple "S." Or, "F." No, let's make it an "S." And, I bet you will take my freebies and samples as I singe.
Your turn
Do you avoid small sizes and samples in order to keep packaging out of landfills? I applaud you. Now, go sit down. No lectures. Just a sanctimonious "yes" will do. I really do appreciate you. How about the rest of you? Does the siren call of samples or freebies speak to you in a way you cannot, will not avoid? Any sample/freebie whores out there?
