Does 'Free' Ever Really Mean 'Free'? Article - Business Marketing Articles

	1888 Articles Home \| Business Articles \| Marketing Articles	Marketing RSS
Does 'Free' Ever Really Mean 'Free'?

Does the term 'Free' every really mean 'Free'? There are countless promises of 'Free' products and services offered to the modern-day consumer, but do they really mean something for nothing? In most cases, there is some sort of caveat or small print which serves to undermine the term 'Free', but on.

Author: Kris

Article Tools:

These days, you can't help but stumble across the word 'FREE', whether actively looking to buy something or not. A marketer's dream, this over-used term can be found emblazoned across press ads, plastered throughout supermarkets, and is frequently cited on the radio and TV.

BUT the question many of us will ask ourselves is “Does 'Free' ever really mean 'Free'?”

We are all drawn towards the promise of 'Free' services and products. But should we be more cynical about such claims? A prime example of the ever-expanding 'Free' market-place comes from a well-known telecoms company. 'Sign-up to our Broadband Service from only £19.99 a month and get a brand-new laptop for free' An attractive sounding proposition at first glance, but once you start working your way through all the small print and the endless caveats, you soon realise that it's simply a way of spreading the cost. Not to mention the additional services you're obliged to sign-up to (i.e. their Talk Service on the side).

An equally dodgy freebie would have to be the popular 'Buy one get one free' device. A deal regularly offered in furniture outlets. Translated into more precise terms, 'Spend through the nose and well over the odds for one sofa, and receive a smaller, cheaper, second version for free.' Any savvy, money-minded consumer must undoubtedly see through this marketing speak?

Cynicism set-aside, surely there must be some genuinely 'Free' products or services out there? There are of course various 'Free Sample' sites, that if trawled through, can sometimes produce a free tea-bag or lollipop. Most of the time, however, there is some sort of competition process or hoop you're asked to jump through to get anywhere near receiving something for nothing.

There is one site out there, however, which genuinely does do what it says on the tin. Soon-to-launch UK-based wine company Naked Wines, is offering three free bottles of wine to 100 customers signing-up to become a 'Naked Wines Taster.' Yes, you do have to answer a few questions (6 to be precise), and yes, you are expected to taste the wine with friends (not too onerous a task then!), BUT the 100 volunteers who are selected will receive three free bottles of wine through the post for absolutely nothing.

Refreshingly simple, and genuinely 'FREE'.

About Author

Kris Smith has been living and writing about Suffolk for several years, For more details on golf and accommodation at the Thorpeness Hotel and Golf Club go to http://www.suffolkcoastgolf.co.uk & www.thorpeness.co.uk or Telephone 01728 452176.

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-kris-12440.html