ask and you shall receive - save money through simply asking
It is one of the simplest things to do, yet many overlook the benefits of simply asking for what you want because of the way it sounds; its seems unbelievable that you might get a discount on an item or something for free just by requesting it.
Many people have successfully requested large amounts of things using this simple, yet effective strategy. To view one man's success in simply asking, check out The 39 Dollar Experiment (http://www.the39dollarexperiment.com), which details the quest of one man to get hundreds of dollars in free items using only a roll of stamps.
There are several ways you can request an item from a retailer or company. Generally, you should only correspond with actual manufacturers / product companies because retailers generally won't give you much. You can either call them, email them, contact them through their website, or send them a letter. Surprisingly, sending a letter is easily the most effective although email, when available, is good and doesn't cost any postage.
A good example of what written correspondence should look like.
Use this format in letters and emails. [Note: those addresses
aren't real]
The Three Types of Correspondence
- Good Correspondence - This is where you
tell the company about a product or service you really
enjoyed. You say things like, "it was the best
I've ever hard," or "I'm excited to have found this
product," and especially "I will tell my family and
friends all about this product." End the
correspondence with something like, "I'd really like to
try some of your other products you have available," or
"my friend said he would like one of your products.
Would you mind sending an additional one."
- Negative Correspondence - This is basically
a complaint letter. These are quite effective,
surprisingly enough. Apparently companies don't
want to lose customers because of the high statistical
cost of obtaining a new one. Just tell them about
how the product wasn't working right, wasn't fresh,
wasn't useful, etc. Then say that you hope the
situation can be resolved so that you will continue
purchasing their products.
- Inquisitive Correspondence - Ask them about one of their products. Tell them you've heard great things about it and that you want to try it. Tie it together with what they need by saying how you'd be glad to help promote the item if you can try it first.
What can I expect to receive?
Companies will generally send you coupons or other small items for your trouble. I have received a myriad of different coupons, all for free items, from companies like Taco Bell, Burger King, Kraft, Hormel, and many other big brands. Likewise, you might also receive actual products.
After a polo shirt I had bought deteriorated faster than I thought it
should have, I sent a letter to the company that made them; they sent me
a brand new $80 shirt. A local beer company sent me an actual
6-pack of beer, seven koozies, a hat, a keychain, and a handwritten note
after I had complained about their beer quality. Some companies,
unfortunately, won't send much or anything, but I have found that this
is relatively rare.
At
another point in time, I emailed over a dozen energy drink companies
asking for samples of their drink. Instead of just receiving one
drink, I received several from each company. One company in
particular sent me an entire case, for free.
Within a one week period, I received free-item coupons for all of these
items just by asking.
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