What is it about our person that pushes us to want freebies?  Why are we always doing what we can to get something free?  I work in 2 different businesses where people are always trying to get free stuff.  Why?  Why do we do it?  Are our lives really that bad that we feel we must hang onto the things that we can get for free? 

My full-time job is full of customers coming in, buying stuff, wanting free incentives from the salesman.  At my part-time job at the restaurant, everyone comes in with coupons for a free appetizer or a free entree.  But, not to be too high on my horse, I’m just as guilty. 

Frequently, we have reps from different companies come in to our office.  They are always giving out free things.  Free pens, free note pads, free hats, & the most coveted, free jackets!  I have been just as guilty as the next person for asking for a free jacket.  I’ve harassed sales reps until I get a free jack.  So, the other day a rep came in and was giving jackets to my manager & salesman.  As much as I would have liked one, I decided I wasn’t going to ask for one.  I was going to be a new person and be happy with what I already had (mind you I already had 3 different jackets from 3 different companies).  Well, someone was testing me that day (or rewarding me for being strong) and the rep simply asked me what size I would want.  I softly said, “small” and he walked back in with a jacket.  I didn’t ask, I didn’t hint, nothing, and I still got it.  Another rep has given out several coats to different people, but I have not gotten one because most reps carry larges and extra larges.  I’m a small or on a good day, a medium.  This rep had made the comment that he was going to have special order me a coat, so he could get a size that fits.  I told him it wasn’t necessary, but somewhere in side me, the person that wanted that FREE  coat was hoping he would.  That was at least 6 months ago. I had long given up “hope” that that special order coat would arrive.  Lo and behold, in walks the rep recently with my coat.  Let me tell you, it was totally worth the wait.  He got me, quite honestly, the neatest coat to date!

But really, what is it that causes our person to haggle for freebies?  Is our life really that bad?  If you are going to a restaurant and decide to try for a free meal or appetizer or another item due to a “bad meal”, was your meal or the service really that bad?  If so, I completely understand, but what about those that do it just to get something free?  If you really NEED to be getting something for free, should you be eating out anyway? 

And me, with the coats…did I really need the free coats?  Did I not have a coat?  Quite the contrary…I have the Columbia winter coat that I wear on a daily basis, the white puffy coat I got for Christmas that I wear for casual (outside of work), black leather and brown quilted for dress, the old blast jacket from being a cheerleading coach, & a wind shirt from a golf course I used to work at.  I’m pretty sure the reason I asked for a free coat wasn’t because I didn’t have an appropriate jacket!  Now, I have 2 wind shirts and 3 jackets to add to my collection. 

So, what possessed me to think that I needed a free jacket?  Or, five of them?! I don’t know and if anyone has some insight, please share with the rest of us!

I’m done now, I’m not asking for anymore coats (maybe because I have 99% of the companies we represent).  But, still, I’m done and I’m going to make a conscious effort to not try and haggle for freebies anymore.