Comments on: The $39 Experiment

By: Brammimonde

Brammimonde — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:25:28 +0000

I wrote to an *individual* and received what I hope to be good eBay fodder 25 years from now: A blank-front postcard from humorist Dave Barry. It reads, in his handwriting, “Well, they called it Sushi.–Dave Barry”

I hope it’s just enigmatic enough to warrant the big bucks.

Too bad there isn’t a mysterious Jesus shaped ink blot on it.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:57:22 +0000

About 12 years ago I wrote to the makers of Toffifay. I told them about how I loved their candy and wished I could buy it in the USA. (I thnk they were in Germany?) Anyway, they sent me a map of Jacksonville (where I lived) marked with three stores that carried Toffifay, and 3-4 coupons for a free package. The best part was receiving a PERSONAL (as in handwritten) note from the company with a CASE of the Toffifay candies!! I am still a fan to this day!

By: Kay

Kay — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:46:09 +0000

I took art lessons from elementary school and throughout high school. In the 5th grade, after using an ArtBox 2000(similar to a fishing tackle box or toolbox) my dad bought me to lug my art supplies to class, the latch broke. Of course, I was devastated and wrote my first ever business letter to the company using the address on the label attached to the ArtBox asking where I could buy a replacement part. Some kind-hearted postal worker must have figured out the exact street address of the company for me because all I wrote on the envelope was the company’s name, city and zip code. Maybe a week or two later, I received a padded envelope from the company with 2 replacement latches and screws.

By: Marion

Marion — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:18:04 +0000

I am SHAMELESS when it comes to getting free stuff, especially for my kids. Any of you with babies on the way, call all the formula and diaper companies and join their clubs – samples, coupons, free diaper bag! If you don’t use the formula, donate it to a food bank. I also get excellent coupons by calling to comment on products – it’s free market research to them.

BTW – you should do another column on other ways to get free stuff – I have toothbrushes for my whole family for the next two years, courtesy of the local health unit! And no, I didn’t cadge them – they give them away.

By: Suzeo

Suzeo — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:45:25 +0000

I’ve gotten quite a bit of free stuff just by sending emails or letters to companies whose stuff I love. Sonic Restaurants sent a coupon for a free Route 44 beverage, Quaker sent a HUGE box of snacks, Barkeeper’s Friend sent several good-sized samples, Dove sent a face massager, plus I’ve found that most companies will at least send coupons if they know you really like their product.

By: James

James — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:39:57 +0000

Is it just me or does this article bring back memories of the movie “Summer School” where Mark Harmon’s character encourges his class of summer school reprobates (including a young Courtney Thorne-Smith) to write to a sunglasses company about their product and they recieve a whole box of sunglasses. Man, English is a powerful language. (I think I watch too much HBO as a teenager)

By: Heather A

Heather A — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:28:28 +0000

The only free thing I got from mailing letters was a signed picture of uncle joey from full house.
Also, I mailed aussie hairproducts to tell them how much I loved the leave in conditioner. I was expecting cases of this stuff for free (was in 4th grade) and that never happened. They do, however, send me Christmas cards every year. I would assume that I would still get them, but my family moved. Maybe I should write another letter…hmm…

By: Deas

Deas — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:20:58 +0000

Japan had a really wacked out game show featuring a poor guy nicknamed “Nasubi” or “Eggplant.” They gave him a bare-bones apartment and a supply of postcards and pens, and told him that everything he required he must WIN by entering postcard competitions. (They were HUGE back then, and still get you free seats to lots of stuff on TV.) He was to be let out of the apartment once he won 1 million yen (10,000 USD) via prizes. Now THAT is some mean spirited reality television if you ask me. Ha ha. Search for it and find the story yourself, and you may even find screen caps and video clips. :-) Sick.

By: AliceO

AliceO — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:45:10 +0000

Had to write off to radio stations in middle school, a little different, but still. I accidentally mailed the wrong letters in the wrong envelopes, so one didn’t ever get back to me, but the one from my home state (Texas) sent me free can koozie things and a letter telling me I’d switched the letters. At least they were nice about it though.

By: Mike Bucher

Mike Bucher — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:20:09 +0000

As a joke my wife wrote a letter to Proctor and Gamble claiming that the residue of their dish washing soap ruined the taste of her lasagna. She did not complain that they should make the soap easier to rinse, but instead suggested that they make the soap taste better. She also suggested two possible flavors, either roasted garlic or pizzalicious. They sent us free samples of dish soap.