|
You don't have to be a bargain hunter to get excited about free samples, and right now you have more chances than ever to snag something for nothing.
On an average weekend, warehouse stores such as Costco and Sam's Club, and grocers from Kroger to Whole Foods give away enough free slices of pizza, bites of chicken and cups of juice to add up to the proverbial free lunch.
Shoppers who know what to ask for can get even more for free, as many stores and restaurants have other giveaways that aren't advertised.
A few examples:
* Starbucks has a program called Grounds for your Garden, which offers customers a free five-pound bag of coffee grounds for use in composting or in the garden. Grounds add nitrogen to soil and speed up the composting process. Most stores have a basket of grounds sitting out, but if you don't see any, you can ask at the counter.
* Auto Zone has a couple of free programs. First, the country's 3,500 stores will recycle batteries and used oil for free -- a service some stations charge for. In 2004, Auto Zone recycled 20 million quarts of oil and 6.5 million batteries.
Auto Zone also will test your car's battery, alternator, starter and voltage regulator for free while you wait. And if you need to do a repair that requires a specialized tool, Auto Zone also has a Loan-a-Tool program that allows customers to borrow a tool they need instead of buying it. (A deposit is required, but it is refunded when you return the tool.)
* Many department stores' cosmetics counters have free samples for the asking. Some, including Kiehl's, create special sample sizes of their most popular or newest products -- typically the size of the ones found in hotel rooms. There are Kiehl's counters in The Streets at Southpoint Nordstrom in Durham and Triangle Town Center Saks in Raleigh.
One other note: If you make a purchase and ask for a gift box, often the Kiehl's clerk will fill the box with samples.
* Don't discount fast-food chains, either. If your child doesn't like the kids' meal toy at Chick-fil-A, you can exchange it for a free ice cream cone.
* At area hair-cutting chains such as Sports Clips, some locations will give you a free shampoo if you're a new customer.
| 
