What do you think about feebies?

[Fairy Cardmaker]

Freebies.  With your order.  On your blog.  Wherever!

Does it devalue your product?  Does it bring the wrong kind of traffic (i.e. deal seekers and penny pinchers only).

Do you think it is appreciated?  Or is it just waste?

Personally, I LOVE tutorials on blogs.  I may do a few on mine.  I think it brings traffic, but I have never bought something clicking through from someone's blog.  Oh wait, that's not true.  I do plan on buying something in this manner soon.. but it's taken years to get me to that point.

Your thoughts?  Discuss!

[Fairy Cardmaker]

NO ONE?

[Craft Boutique]

I remember when I first purchased on iCraft, my order arrived in a large box and when I was unwrapping it, I thought... hmm.. I bought a small item, so why the big box? But then, when I was unwrapping things, there was more... some sample products, a hand written card and a fridge magnet. All freebies were small, but it made my day. It was like opening presents at Christmas. I thought it was so nice of that person to add extras. It made me feel special. I could see she cared about her customers.
That's what makes buying handmade from individuals such a pleasant experience. I'll buy from that lady again.
So yes, I'd say giving in any form has its benefits.

[Northern Girl Jewelry]

For the most part, I don't get terribly excited about freebies.  Often the freebie is not something I will use and then I just feel like it's a waste.  

Some freebies have been great.  Some lampwork bead sellers have included extra lampwork beads that I can use, so that's great.  But I've had some suppliers send me extra beads that I would never use, but I still keep because I would feel bad about throwing them out.

When I've purchased soap, the sellers have sometimes included a small sample of another scent and that can be nice, especially if they send something that is in line with what I ordered (for example if I order fruity soaps, send something fruity, not floral).  

But I have had a seller send me a free sample of a solid perfume and it triggered a migraine pretty much as soon as I opened the box my order was in.  I had to double bag the perfume sample and put it outside so that the smell wouldn't stay in my house.  That was not a pleasant freebie.

I don't expect freebies and am not dissapointed if they are not included.

I've read some other discussions about freebies elsewhere and it seems that some buyers are quite cynical about freebies and end up thinking that the cost of the widget they just purchased was inflated in order to cover the cost of the "freebie" that was included.  

Like with anything, I think some will love freebies and others won't.  

My only strong opinion about including extra things in packages is please, please, please, don't include scented items (unless the purchased item is scented).  So many of us have scent/chemical sensitivities and the seller doesn't know what reaction could be triggered by the scented extra.