Sample requests

[StephenS]

Felt I should share this information,

I request samples from CF, ToBS, T&h, and trumpers. Trumpers was the only company that sent me samples, even to a US address! I'm awaiting the samples, but huge points for the company in my eyes.

Oh, also requested from AoS and received the worst response from them, recommending me buy their $60 travel pack compared to the $10 sample packs everyone else offered ( even though AoS has a $25 trial size they didn't offer it)

 

[AABCDS]

T&H has some great sample packs that you can purchase.

 

[heybatter]

I'm assuming the samples you received from Trumpers were free? Nice work if so, what did they give you. Not too surprised about the AOS response.....Proctor and Gamble'd.

 

[Omak]

OP, go into a Sephora if you have one near you, they will fill small containers with the AoS product for you to try. Last I was in there I got the preshave, cream, and aftershave balm of the sandalwood and the cream ocean kelp.

 

[Galengwath]

I also enquired about samples from a number of companies not long ago and Trumpers shipped me a complimentary sample pack. It included a bunch of cologne vials and four sample tubs of shaving cream: Almond, GFT, Rose and Sandalwood. Quite a generous thing to do, not even asking me to pay for the samples OR the cost of international shipping.

 

[StephenS]

I'm assuming the samples you received from Trumpers were free? Nice work if so, what did they give you. Not too surprised about the AOS response.....Proctor and Gamble'd.

Haven't received the package yet, but like hey attest said they didn't even care about international shipping.

 

[esoomenona]

Honestly, it's nice that one or some companies will give you free samples, but I don't see how it's a negative for those that don't. These samples cost money to make. The product inside, the packaging, shipping, etc. I know that it's helpful to get people to try their product, but if those people really wanted to try it, they would. Just my $0.02.

 

[wrinkles2]

True, but some people don't want to spend alot of money on something they may not like.

Honestly, it's nice that one or some companies will give you free samples, but I don't see how it's a negative for those that don't. These samples cost money to make. The product inside, the packaging, shipping, etc. I know that it's helpful to get people to try their product, but if those people really wanted to try it, they would. Just my $0.02.

 

[esoomenona]

True, but some people don't want to spend alot of money on something they may not like.

Which is the point of the samples in the first place.

 

[wrinkles2]

Which is the point of the samples in the first place.

+1

 

[mretzloff]

True, but some people don't want to spend alot of money on something they may not like.

Maybe I can offer a different insight as a vendor.

For every ten people you send free samples to, you may get one coming back. That has nothing to do with the quality of the product, but rather the fact that most people just want things for free. That one person who does come back is essentially funding the samples for the other nine. While samples are small, the cost adds up quickly. If a company, like Geo F. Trumper in this case, sends out free samples, everyone who purchases a tub is paying several extra dollars for those people that took the samples and never came back. A tub that normally costs $15 (an arbitrary number) now costs $18 to $20 to make up for the extra cost.

This is not meant as a shot or anything, but rather an explanation why most vendors do not offer free samples

 

[TallyShave]

I like the T&H approach. You get a bunch of samples in all flavors, etc. for $10. Covers their costs and its a good value. They also make nice travel products.

 

[musicman1951]

I read about a CF sampler from Colonial Drug. As I could not find another vendor offering Castle Forbes samples for sale I sent them an email. They are sending me samples of the AS balm (my area of interest) for free - which is an incredibly generous gesture. Being a small family run business they only asked that I not use them as the source for free samples and then purchase the product from another vendor - a simple and fair request which I certainly will honor.

I don't mind trying a cream for $15 on a whim, but I'm reluctant to purchase $40 and $50 items on the chance that I'll like them. I do think it's fine to charge a reasonable amount for samples (as I happily paid for the T&H samples). From those samples I ended up purchasing their Ultimate Comfort.

 

[StephenS]

It only took 6 days for a package from GFT in London to get to my doorstep in NJ. I can't even get something that fast in the states, let alone a free sample. Blown away by their customer service! Here's the score...

View attachment 273380

 

[Predict]

Maybe I can offer a different insight as a vendor.

For every ten people you send free samples to, you may get one coming back. That has nothing to do with the quality of the product, but rather the fact that most people just want things for free. That one person who does come back is essentially funding the samples for the other nine. While samples are small, the cost adds up quickly. If a company, like Geo F. Trumper in this case, sends out free samples, everyone who purchases a tub is paying several extra dollars for those people that took the samples and never came back. A tub that normally costs $15 (an arbitrary number) now costs $18 to $20 to make up for the extra cost.

This is not meant as a shot or anything, but rather an explanation why most vendors do not offer free samples

+1! And that may be why Trumpers products are so overpriced. I like the sampler method where you can buy a sampler of the scents/products that you think you might like for $10 or so, then when you find the one for you it doesn't cost an arm an a leg to buy a full size product.

 

[eth]

It only took 6 days for a package from GFT in London to get to my doorstep in NJ. I can't even get something that fast in the states, let alone a free sample. Blown away by their customer service! Here's the score...

Congratulations. I paid £8 for that exact same sample pack, and not once in the process was I told "if you send us an e-mail asking for samples, we'll send you the same stuff free in stead". Their "potential customer" service is awesome. Their actual customer service not so much, apparently.