Giveaways and Product Samples: More in a Down Economy?

I love free stuff. For that matter, who doesn't? The past few days I've gotten more than my share of freebies it seems, and with them, some of my opinions.

Yesterday (April 1), area Tim Hortons were giving out the new chicken snack wraps for free, your choice of ranch or barbecue. On my lunch break I ran through the apartment complex next to Kohl's where I work and to the Tim Hortons beyond there. I could've driven, but why lose a prime parking space? So the take...I had the ranch. It was waaay too salty. The BBQ probably would've been sweeter and I'm sorry I didn't try it instead. Not offered as freebies were chicken salad, tuna salad, and egg salad wraps. I might have to try the tuna someday, Timmy's tuna sandwiches are pretty good.

Another Tim Horton's freebie, and then I'm done with them. Someone deposited two-dozen donuts in the break room yesterday. I tried the new key lime. It's tart, bitter, and a whole lot of calories (320) compared to other Tim Hortons' donuts. Glad I didn't pay for that one.

My morning coffee was free yesterday too, as area Dunkin Donuts put coupons in the Sunday paper a few weeks ago for a free medium coffee on Wednesdays.

Also in that same Sunday paper were three coupons for McCafe coffees at the Golden Arches. McCafes come as lattes, cappucinos, mochas, etc. I tried the latte and cappucino thus far. One I tried with whole milk, the other with skim (there's no in between). Both were hot, extremely milky coffee and nothing more. Glad I didn't pay nearly $3.00 for either of these. I've got one coupon left, and I'll probably use it on a McMocha. Maybe there's still hope that I can be convinced.

Finally, I got a voucher from health-food guru Kashi for a free (otherwise near-$4.00) frozen dinner. I picked out Mayan Harvest, but have yet to try it.

So there is such a thing as a free lunch...and coffee, and dessert. Of course all this genius marketing is to get people in the door so that they buy baked goods, etc. Most people feel guilty/cheap if they don't. I figure if the free offer is there for the taking, what's the harm in me taking advantage of it? Although I will admit, saying "no" to those donuts and muffins tantalizingly displayed behind Dunkin's counter is hard to do...

Wonder what free offer I'll be able to take advantage of next?