Sunday, March 05, 2006

Just Ask...

A guy named Tom Locke is testing out what he calls The $39 Experiment.

Basically, he’s invested in a roll of stamps to send letters to 100 companies asking for free stuff.

The results so far look encouraging.

He sent the letters eight days ago. So far, he’s heard from 10 companies and has received three letters back as undeliverable.

Of the 10 companies that replied, six sent him nothing, while four actually sent him free stuff.

So far he’s received:

Four cans of compressed air (from Fellowes)

A free quarter-ounce Carmex lip balm (from Carma Labs)

Nine tea bags (from Stash Tea)

Nineteen coupons for free hamburgers (from White Castle)

I figure this is all worth at least $25 – and that’s just from four companies.

Tom didn’t just send a form letter. Each letter was different, and written to stand out.

For example, this is the letter that got him the four free cans of compressed air:

Dear Sir or Madam:

I can’t begin to tell you how much I love your Air Duster product. I use it for things way beyond what I bet it was intended for.

Sure, I dust my keyboard with it – but I dust my furniture and my dog with it, too!

Yes, my dog! I have a husky, and he sheds like crazy, and your Air Duster works great for removing excess fur from him. (his name is Rufus Huxtable, by the way.)

Anyway, can you send me a free can (or two?) of your Air Duster? Whatever you can do would be great. Thanks!

Tom Locke
Canned air enthusiast

So, if you want free stuff, just ask. But put a little effort into it.

Posted by Richard Bloch

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