Comments on: When a Free Sample Isn’t Free http://www.transparent.com/polish/when-a-free-sample-isnt-free/ Polish Language and Culture Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:58:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Anna http://www.transparent.com/polish/when-a-free-sample-isnt-free/#comment-2003 Anna Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:39:39 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/polish/?p=568#comment-2003 Hi Sila! The time I was in Brazil I was charged for every "free sample" I came across. When I pointed it out to the sales person, she said that that's how they make their money, otherwise they wouldn't be able to break even. Actually, the same happened to me all over South and Central America, even in fancy contact lens shops - I don't know, maybe that was the "foreigner treatment" I was getting? Mchl, oh yes, the old "perfume" scam. You can buy almost anything in sample sizes if you visit Polish markets, that's for sure. Russ, your comment made me glad I don't drink beer! :) Expateek and John, I really needed that small bottle, so I was ready to give in and not make a fuss. Hi Sila!
The time I was in Brazil I was charged for every “free sample” I came across. When I pointed it out to the sales person, she said that that’s how they make their money, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to break even. Actually, the same happened to me all over South and Central America, even in fancy contact lens shops - I don’t know, maybe that was the “foreigner treatment” I was getting?

Mchl,
oh yes, the old “perfume” scam. You can buy almost anything in sample sizes if you visit Polish markets, that’s for sure.

Russ,
your comment made me glad I don’t drink beer! :)
Expateek and John,
I really needed that small bottle, so I was ready to give in and not make a fuss.

]]> By: sila http://www.transparent.com/polish/when-a-free-sample-isnt-free/#comment-1999 sila Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:05:22 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/polish/?p=568#comment-1999 anna, i got curious! what do you think happens in brazil? btw, i have never seen free-samples beeing sold... and this week i'm having my first trip to poland! do zo s. anna,
i got curious!
what do you think happens in brazil?
btw, i have never seen free-samples beeing sold…
and this week i’m having my first trip to poland!
do zo
s.

]]> By: russ http://www.transparent.com/polish/when-a-free-sample-isnt-free/#comment-1996 russ Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:36:40 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/polish/?p=568#comment-1996 This kind of casual cheat-the-system attitude reminds me of how many bars and pubs will serve you some miniature dish with a dozen peanuts when you order a beer, so that the bill can then say something like "beer 1 PLN; peanuts 5 PLN" so they can pay less taxes on alcohol (higher tax rate than food). Of course it's a total lie, since if you then ask for another beer for 1 PLN without the peanuts, you will not get it... This kind of casual cheat-the-system attitude reminds me of how many bars and pubs will serve you some miniature dish with a dozen peanuts when you order a beer, so that the bill can then say something like “beer 1 PLN; peanuts 5 PLN” so they can pay less taxes on alcohol (higher tax rate than food). Of course it’s a total lie, since if you then ask for another beer for 1 PLN without the peanuts, you will not get it…

]]> By: John http://www.transparent.com/polish/when-a-free-sample-isnt-free/#comment-1993 John Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:56:27 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/polish/?p=568#comment-1993 I would have taken it back and reported the store! I would have taken it back and reported the store!

]]> By: expateek http://www.transparent.com/polish/when-a-free-sample-isnt-free/#comment-1991 expateek Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:18:12 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/polish/?p=568#comment-1991 Good grief. That's just plain obnoxious! You ought to report the store back to the manufacturer. The manufacturers <i>should</i> be interested in this terrible brand publicity! Good grief. That’s just plain obnoxious! You ought to report the store back to the manufacturer. The manufacturers should be interested in this terrible brand publicity!

]]> By: Mchl http://www.transparent.com/polish/when-a-free-sample-isnt-free/#comment-1989 Mchl Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:58:58 +0000 http://www.transparent.com/polish/?p=568#comment-1989 People in general do not fly... Ok.. bad joke :P Another interesting thing about 'free samples' in Poland is that there seems to be a large black/gray market for brand cosmetics' samples. You can buy your favourite scent (or whatever) from a street stand at a fraction of what it would cost in the shop. Of course in a convenient 5ml 'not for sale/resale' container. People in general do not fly…

Ok.. bad joke :P

Another interesting thing about ‘free samples’ in Poland is that there seems to be a large black/gray market for brand cosmetics’ samples. You can buy your favourite scent (or whatever) from a street stand at a fraction of what it would cost in the shop. Of course in a convenient 5ml ‘not for sale/resale’ container.

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