Tips
If you plan to make requesting freebies and free samples one of your new hobbies, then you really need to know a few important tips.
Use Accurate Information
This might seem to be a given for most people, but it’s important to use accurate information at all times. Entering the correct email address and mailing address are two of the most important things when requesting freebies and entering contests and sweepstakes. If you don’t enter the right mailing address then you won’t be able to receive your free stuff! Also, as you’ll read about more below, you won’t be able to confirm many of the samples that send email confirmations without a valid email address. Just be honest and you’ll be fine. If a field is not required, then don’t fill it in! It’s as easy as that.
Use a Separate Email Address
Unfortunately, you will end up with a lot of spam from requesting freebies, however, you must also have a valid email address when requesting free samples and such. Many times, you are required to click on a confirmation link sent via email before you can receive a freebie. This means that you must use a real email address and you must have access to it. Therefore, your best bet is to create a new address address that you can use just for requesting freebies and samples, entering contests and sweepstakes, etc. You can keep your personal Inbox clean and free of spam and won’t have to worry about your personal email being sold off to other companies.
The best option for a free, safe email address is Gmail. Additionally, if you’re more technically inclined, you may prefer the email alias method. You will need to have a Gmail account already, then you’ll be able to create multiple aliases using that one email address.
Example of an Email Alias
So if your email is chacha@gmail.com, you can just enter ch.ac.ha@gmail.com or chacha+freebies@gmail.com for your email address when requesting freebies. Any messages sent to those addresses will still be sent to chacha@gmail.com. Why? Well, Gmail ignores dots and anything after plus symbols. So, as long as it includes just your username with a bunch of dots or your username with a plus sign and another word after that, you’re good.
This is a great technique, especially when used in conjunction with Gmail filters. This means you can then filter email messages sent to those addresses so that they’ll automatically be filed into their own folder. This will keep your Inbox clean and free of any junk and/or spam mail.
Be On The Lookout for Scams
For the most part, I’ll be able to warn you about freebies that may not be what they say they are. I’m surely not going to post something that could be potentially compromising to you. I hate spam and scams, so I’d never post anything like that here. Be sure to read 6 Ways to Avoid Freebie Scamsfor tips on what to lookout for! Remember, you’ll never have to pay for a freebie! That’s a big no-no. Also, if anything seems too good to be true, it usually is. Your safety and privacy is important. So if you’re questioning something, do a quick search on Google or feel free to leave a comment on that particular item posted here. I’ll try to help out as much as I can!
Enjoy The Freebies
I don’t have to tell you about this one. Before you know it, everyday will seem like Christmas and you’ll be so anxious to check your mail! Feel free to send in pics of your weekly or monthly goodies that you’ve received (chachafance [at] ineedfreebies [dot] com) so that I can share them with everyone else. Remember, sharing is caring!! :)
Good luck and all the best!
