Black Friday 2017 Freebies What Was Free How To Get It And What To Know About Rebates And Limits

Black Friday is renowned for deep discounts, but the best deals are not just about paying less; sometimes shoppers walk away with items that are truly free. In 2017, stores deployed a variety of giveaway formats, from door prizes for the first customers in line to “free after rebate” promotions that required a purchase and mail-in steps. Some offers were straightforward, while others hinged on app usage, in-store kiosk coupons, or social media interactions. For deal seekers, parents, and sample enthusiasts, understanding how each format worked—and what restrictions applied—was the difference between scoring a freebie and missing out.

Across the retail landscape, Black Friday freebies clustered into three main types. The first were door prizes: items handed out to the first customers in line, often with specific headcounts and time windows. The second were free-after-rebate offers: items that became effectively free after a mail-in rebate but generally required an initial purchase and the use of a specific card or promo code. The third were digital or app-based promotions, including instant coupons printed at in-store kiosks and rewards tied to loyalty programs. In addition, several sweepstakes and experiential giveaways—from free pictures with Santa to music events—added value beyond the obvious door-buster items.

To give a comprehensive view of what was available in 2017 and how to approach similar future offers, the sections below detail the specific retailers and offers, how each worked, and the constraints that determined eligibility.

Retailer Catalog: What Was Free in 2017

The following catalog consolidates the free offers reported across multiple sources, separated by type. It includes the headline item, the date or window of availability, any day-of-week nuances, operating hours where available, specific limits, and any required actions such as printing a coupon at a kiosk, using a rewards card, or mailing a rebate.

In-Store Door Prizes and First-100 (or First-200) Giveaways

Door prizes were among the most visible freebie categories in 2017. Stores opened early and distributed gifts or gift cards to the first customers in line, often with precise headcounts and multiple drawings across the holiday period. Time, sequencing, and headcount caps shaped the odds.

• Belk

  • Gift card giveaway valued from $5 to $1,000 (while quantities lasted) on Thursday.
  • Mystery scratch-off giveaway ($15 to $250) for the first 150 customers.

• Bon-Ton

  • Free gift card ($5–$500) for the first 200 customers on Thursday.

• Boston Store

  • Free gift card ($5–$500) for the first 200 customers on Thursday.

• Bass Pro Shops

  • Free Santa or Snowman spinner and prize for the first 200 in line on Saturday and Sunday.

• Cabela’s

  • Free prize to the first 600 in line; free pictures with Santa plus kids eat free at the Cabela’s deli on November 25.

• Fred Meyer

  • Door prize gift card for the first 100 customers; store opened at 5 am on Friday.

• Mill’s Fleet Farm

  • Free plush owl for the first 500 customers on Friday; doors opened at 6 am.

• Field & Stream

  • First 150 adults in line on Thanksgiving and Black Friday received a gift card and an entry into a $500 gift card drawing; drawings were held live at 8 pm on Thanksgiving, 10 am and 5 pm on Black Friday.

• Cost Plus World Market

  • Friday: $10 gift certificate for the first 100 customers.
  • Saturday and Sunday: free tote bag for the first 100 customers each day.
  • Stores opened Friday at 7 am, Saturday at 8 am, and Sunday at 8 am.
  • Additional experiential offer: Friday–Sunday, be one of the first 100 customers to receive a Peru Instant Win Game piece for a chance to win one of three trips for two to Peru; details were available on the retailer’s website.

• New York & Company (Wednesday Before Black Friday)

  • Mystery gift card worth up to $100 (reportedly one per store) for the first 100 customers; stores opened at 10 am.

• Goody’s

  • Free Giftspiration coupon valued at $10 for the first 75 customers, with two people receiving a $250 or $50 gift card.

Door prizes generally had unambiguous eligibility rules: being among the first shoppers in line before the posted opening time and meeting the headcount cap. Because many of these giveaways happened on Thanksgiving or early Black Friday morning, arriving ahead of opening time materially increased the odds of receiving a free item.

Free-After-Rebate Offers

Many retailers promoted “free after rebate” offers in 2017. These promotions were designed to feel free at the end of the process, but they required an initial purchase and a mail-in rebate. In several cases, the rebate amounts matched the item’s price, so the net cost was zero after the rebate was processed. It is essential to confirm the exact rebate form and mailing address, and to retain proof of purchase. Availability windows and limits varied, and some deals required the use of a specific rewards card or promo code.

• Macy’s

  • Multiple items free after rebate, often with a $10 mail-in rebate per item and a one-per-customer limit. Items included tote bags (regular $35), gold toe slippers (regular $28), men’s thermal tops (regular $30), glassware sets (regular $30), young men’s jogger pants (regular $30), Disney Olaf plush (regular $30), select sweatshirts (regular $34), select kitchen electronics (crock pot and coffee maker pictured; regular $29.99), and Maxazria perfume (regular $55; $12 mail-in rebate).

• Newegg

  • Free-after-rebate items listed across a multi-day window from Monday, November 20 at 1 pm PT through Friday, November 25 at 11:59 pm PT.
  • Example: Rosewill ION D10 4000 dpi optical wired gaming mouse, $15 – $15 mail-in rebate = free after rebate.

“Free after rebate” was popular because it allowed shoppers to combine a discount event with a final net-zero cost, but it introduced extra steps and timelines that were not instantaneous. In practice, shoppers needed to buy the item on or before the final redemption day, submit the rebate, and then wait for the rebate to be processed.

App, Kiosk, and Rewards-Based Offers

Some free offers in 2017 were tied to loyalty programs, in-store kiosk coupons, or mobile app coupons. These promotions often rewarded engaged customers with additional savings and sometimes free items after applying available coupons and rewards.

• Kmart and Sears

  • Text-based “free cash in points” advertised in sister retailers’ ads, with a general instruction to text FREECASH to 56278 between 6 am and 2 pm on Thursday. Previous holiday seasons had seen Shop Your Way rewards members receive free points via email, but the ads did not explain the promotion in detail. Data charges may apply, and confirmation of terms was limited in the public materials.

• CVS

  • Free Colgate toothpaste options, including Colgate Max 6 oz, Total 4–4.2 oz, or 2-in-1 4.6 oz. The offer used an in-store kiosk members-only instant coupon and a $0.50 manufacturer coupon from the CVS app. Limit one per household. The offer ran from November 23 to November 25, and CVS was open on both Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
  • Additional free items included Glad solid 6-oz air freshener after ExtraCare Beauty (ECB) rewards and free mascara or liquid eyeliner after ECB rewards.
  • It is important to verify which specific in-store coupons and app coupons could be stacked, since stacking rules varied by location and by item.

These digital and rewards-linked freebies favored shoppers who were already members of the programs, had the app installed, and were comfortable navigating in-store kiosks. They were low-barrier ways to score freebies, provided the customer could locate and apply the necessary coupon mechanics before checkout.

Pet-Themed Freebies

Pet-related freebies were part of the 2017 mix, with one prominent offer spanning Black Friday weekend.

• Petco
  • Free cat or dog antlers with purchase on November 24 and 25.

Pet owners could combine a planned purchase with a pet-themed freebie, provided they visited on the correct days and met the purchase requirement.

Fashion, Home, and Seasonal Freebies

Fashion and home goods had a strong showing in 2017, including some unique experiential offers.

• Barnes & Noble

  • Free coffee before 10 am on Black Friday, without a purchase required.

• Cost Plus World Market (additional experiential)

  • Golden Llama Treasure Hunt on November 21–22.

• Music & Arts (advertised with Black Friday, but scheduled for early January)

  • Open mic night on Friday, January 5, 6–8 pm.
  • Free beginner guitar classes and consultations on Saturday, January 6, 11 am and 1 pm.

These experiential offers did not deliver a physical item but offered a meaningful free experience. For shoppers already planning to browse or attend events, such freebies added tangible value to the day.

Sweepstakes and Special Drawings

Several retailers used sweepstakes formats to encourage early arrivals and store visits.

• AAFES Exchange

  • Black Friday sweepstakes mentioned as available during the period.

• Cost Plus World Market

  • Peru Instant Win Game piece for the first 100 customers, Friday through Sunday, with a chance to win one of three trips for two to Peru.

These sweepstakes added a layer of excitement to the door-buster experience, but—unlike the first-100 giveaways—they did not guarantee a prize. The odds depended on the number of entries and the drawing schedule.

Eligibility, Limits, and How Access Was Structured

Eligibility and access constraints determined who could claim freebies in 2017. Shoppers had to interpret offer rules accurately to avoid missing out. Below is a synthesis of the most common constraints observed.

• First-100 or First-200 Headcount Caps

  • Most door prizes were limited to a specific number of customers, often the first 100 or 200 in line, and sometimes more (e.g., 600 at Cabela’s). These caps required early arrival and a clear understanding of store opening times.

• Opening Times and Day-of-Week Specifics

  • Stores posted early openings—Fred Meyer at 5 am on Friday, Cost Plus World Market at 7 am Friday, 8 am Saturday and Sunday, and Mill’s Fleet Farm at 6 am Friday. Arriving before posted hours was essential to qualify for first-100 or first-200 items.
  • Several offers were tied to specific days: Wednesday (New York & Company), Thursday (Belk, Bon-Ton, Boston Store), and the Black Friday weekend period (Petco, Mill’s Fleet Farm, Cost Plus World Market).

• Purchase Requirements

  • Free-after-rebate offers required an initial purchase. Items needed to be bought within the stated window, and a mail-in rebate form had to be submitted to complete the “free” experience.
  • Petco’s antlers required a purchase to qualify.

• Coupon and Rewards Requirements

  • CVS free toothpaste involved a members-only in-store kiosk coupon plus a manufacturer coupon from the app; the specific stacking rules depended on the item.
  • Kmart and Sears “free cash in points” was advertised via a text-to-number mechanic; data charges may have applied, and the precise terms were not explained in the ads.

• Limits and One-Per-Customer Rules

  • “Free after rebate” promotions at Macy’s were subject to a one-per-customer limit per item.
  • CVS imposed a one-per-household limit for the free toothpaste offer.

• Geographic and Availability Nuances

  • Several offers were national in scope but subject to store-level availability; headcounts were per location. Operating hours sometimes varied by region, so shoppers were advised to verify local store times.

• Rebate Mechanics and Timeline

  • “Free after rebate” offers required correct completion of the mail-in rebate form and timely submission, generally by the stated deadline. Failing to submit the rebate correctly meant the item was not ultimately free.

Understanding these constraints allowed shoppers to plan the best approach: arriving early for door prizes, loading apps and printing in-store kiosk coupons for digital promotions, and preparing to submit rebates correctly for free-after-rebate items.

Mechanics Explained: Door Prizes vs Free-After-Rebate vs Digital and App-Based Offers

Each freebie type in 2017 had a distinct access pathway. Clarifying the mechanics helped shoppers decide where to focus their efforts and how to time their store visits.

• Door Prizes

  • These were physical items or gift cards handed out to the first shoppers in line. The core mechanic was queue position relative to opening time, with headcounts that capped eligibility. Because supplies were finite and often distributed immediately upon store opening, the principal strategy was arriving early and confirming local store hours.

• Free-After-Rebate

  • Shoppers paid the retail price at checkout, then submitted a mail-in rebate for the full or nearly full value of the item. If the rebate was approved, the net cost was effectively zero. This model blended a discount shopping experience with a delayed “free” outcome. The necessary steps included keeping the receipt, completing the form accurately, and submitting it on time. Some items required using a specific card or promo code to qualify for the rebate.

• App and Kiosk-Based Offers

  • These promotions leveraged loyalty programs and digital coupons. For example, CVS required printing a coupon at an in-store kiosk and applying an app-based manufacturer coupon. Such offers rewarded members who had already engaged with the program and knew how to navigate the coupon stacking rules.

• Social and Text-Based Offers

  • Kmart and Sears presented a text-to-number promotion for “free cash in points.” The ad suggested a morning window, but it lacked detailed terms. Data charges were possible. The mechanics seemed to tie rewards to member engagement, but the exact criteria were not clearly explained in the public materials.

Understanding these mechanics ensured shoppers did not assume a free item was available without meeting the underlying requirements. In practice, being a program member, having the app ready, arriving early, and planning the mail-in rebate were each crucial depending on the offer type.

Retailer Spotlight: Key Highlights from 2017

Certain retailers stood out for the breadth and creativity of their free offers.

• Macy’s

  • A large catalog of “free after rebate” items spanning fashion, home, and kitchen electronics gave shoppers many choices. The common pattern—$10 rebates on lower-priced items, or $12 on a perfume—suggested a deliberate design to make the rebate amount match or nearly match the price, delivering a net-zero outcome after submission. Limits were typically one per customer per item.

• Cost Plus World Market

  • The retailer delivered both a straightforward first-100 gift certificate on Friday and tote bags on Saturday and Sunday, complemented by the Peru Instant Win Game sweepstakes and experiential events like the Golden Llama Treasure Hunt and free pictures with Santa. This blend of tangible freebies and experiences widened the appeal beyond single-item deals.

• CVS

  • The pharmacy chain’s free toothpaste offer showcased an efficient coupon stacking model: members-only in-store kiosk coupon plus an app-based manufacturer coupon. The presence of other free items, such as air freshener and beauty products after ECB rewards, demonstrated how the chain’s loyalty program could convert into freebies for engaged customers.

• Petco

  • Pet owners could walk away with free pet antlers during the Black Friday weekend. This freebie aligned with the store’s merchandise category and encouraged a purchase on the same visit.

• Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

  • These outdoor retailers used first-in-line freebies and experiential offers to draw early crowds. Bass Pro Shops distributed a free spinner and prize to the first 200 in line on weekend mornings, while Cabela’s combined a prize for the first 600 in line with free pictures and kids eat free at the deli on November 25.

These highlights show how retailers balanced straightforward freebies, multi-step rebates, and experiential value to attract a broad audience and reward both early arrivals and program members.

Planning and Timing: When to Arrive and What to Expect

Successful freebie hunting in 2017 hinged on timing and local verification. Stores posted early openings, and first-100 or first-200 distributions happened at or near the opening moment. The right approach involved:

• Confirming Local Store Hours

  • Fred Meyer opened at 5 am on Friday; Cost Plus World Market opened at 7 am Friday, 8 am Saturday and Sunday; Mill’s Fleet Farm opened at 6 am Friday. These times were essential for first-100 eligibility.

• Preparing for Day-Specific Offers

  • Wednesday before Black Friday: New York & Company’s mystery gift card for first 100 customers.
  • Thursday: Belk, Bon-Ton, and Boston Store gift card giveaways for early customers.
  • Friday through Sunday: Petco pet antlers with purchase; Cost Plus World Market first-100 certificates and tote bags; Bass Pro Shops spinner for first 200 on weekend mornings; Cabela’s prize for first 600 and free pictures with Santa on November 25.

• Having Apps and Memberships Ready

  • CVS required in-store kiosk and app coupons to achieve free toothpaste; Kmart/Sears promotions depended on text messaging and possibly rewards membership.

• Anticipating Rebate Timelines

  • For free-after-rebate items, shoppers needed to purchase during the advertised window and submit the mail-in rebate promptly. Retaining receipts and following the exact instructions on the rebate form were critical to the final “free” outcome.

By aligning arrival time, day-of-week choices, and digital readiness, shoppers could maximize their odds across multiple offer types.

Digital Engagement: Text Promotions, Apps, and Kiosks

Digital components shaped several of the 2017 freebies, adding convenience for program members and slightly higher complexity for those unfamiliar with the mechanics.

• Text Promotions

  • Kmart and Sears provided an example of a text-to-number offer for free cash in points. The ad suggested a morning window, and data charges could apply. While the mechanism implied rewards for engagement, the absence of detailed terms in the ad made it essential for shoppers to confirm whether they needed to be rewards members and whether the points posted immediately or with a delay.

• In-Store Kiosk Coupons

  • CVS leveraged members-only in-store kiosk printing to provide an instant coupon that could be stacked with an app-based manufacturer coupon. Shoppers needed to locate the kiosk, log in as a member, and print the correct coupon before checkout. The store’s open status on Thanksgiving and Black Friday meant the free toothpaste offer was accessible during both days.

• App-Based Coupons

  • Manufacturer coupons available via the CVS app could be applied at checkout, provided the item matched the coupon’s specifications. Correct stacking of kiosk and app coupons was a core requirement for achieving the free outcome.

Digital engagement rewarded customers who maintained active loyalty memberships, installed apps, and understood how to combine in-store and mobile coupons effectively.

Categories and Typical Offer Types

Freebies in 2017 covered a broad range of product categories, each with its own offer style.

• Household and Personal Care

  • CVS offered free toothpaste options through coupon stacking, plus free air freshener and beauty items after ECB rewards.

• Fashion and Apparel

  • Macy’s “free after rebate” catalog included women’s and men’s apparel items, such as sweatshirts, joggers, thermal tops, and slippers, often with a $10 mail-in rebate.

• Home and Kitchen

  • Macy’s also listed “free after rebate” kitchen electronics and glassware sets, making household essentials attainable at zero net cost after the rebate.

• Pet Products

  • Petco’s free pet antlers with purchase gave pet owners a themed freebie during Black Friday weekend.

• Books and Coffee

  • Barnes & Noble provided free coffee before 10 am on Black Friday, an experiential freebie that did not require a purchase.

• Outdoor and Sporting Goods

  • Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s door prizes emphasized early-bird freebies, and Field & Stream used drawings to engage shoppers with additional prizes.

• Experiential and Sweepstakes

  • Cost Plus World Market’s Peru Instant Win sweepstakes and free pictures with Santa offered non-item benefits, while Music & Arts hosted free events in early January.

The mix of categories demonstrated how free offers were not limited to a single product type. Shoppers could target the categories that aligned with their shopping lists while also exploring new experiences.

Important Notes and Best Practices

A few practical considerations governed the success of freebie attempts in 2017.

• Verify Local Store Details

  • Opening hours sometimes varied by location. Shoppers were advised to confirm their local store’s time to ensure first-100 eligibility.

• Confirm Limit Policies

  • “One-per-customer” limits were common for free-after-rebate items at Macy’s, and “one-per-household” limits applied to CVS free toothpaste. Attempting to exceed these limits could result in denial at checkout.

• Understand Rebate Timelines

  • Free-after-rebate offers were contingent on completing the mail-in process. Shoppers needed to keep receipts, accurately fill out forms, and submit by the deadline. Failure to do so would negate the “free” outcome.

• Prepare Digital Tools

  • For app and kiosk-based freebies, installing the app, logging into loyalty accounts, and printing kiosk coupons before shopping streamlined checkout and reduced friction.

• Distinguish Free from Free-After-Rebate

  • Door prizes and experiential giveaways were free at the point of receipt. Free-after-rebate items were effectively free only after the rebate was approved, introducing a delayed outcome. Recognizing the difference helped set proper expectations.

Risks and Uncertainties

Several aspects of 2017 promotions left room for uncertainty, requiring cautious interpretation.

• Text-Based Point Promotions

  • Kmart/Sears ads for “free cash in points” lacked detailed terms, making it unclear whether the promotion truly yielded free value for all participants or required membership and specific actions beyond sending a text.

• Headcounts and Local Variations

  • While most first-100 or first-200 giveaways stated clear caps, store-level availability and opening hour variations could affect outcomes. Shoppers needed to treat headcounts as per-location limits and verify details at their specific store.

• Rebate Approval and Timing

  • Rebates could be denied for a range of reasons—incorrect forms, missing receipts, or late submissions. There was no guarantee that every submission would be approved, and the “free” outcome depended on successful processing.

• App and Kiosk Dependencies

  • Digital freebies hinged on the functioning of apps, kiosks, and loyalty systems. If a kiosk was out of service or a coupon did not apply correctly, the free outcome might not materialize.

Acknowledging these uncertainties allowed shoppers to plan more effectively and minimize disappointment.

Conclusion

Black Friday 2017 offered a spectrum of freebies, from straightforward door prizes for early arrivals to free-after-rebate offers that delivered a net-zero cost after mail-in processing, to app and kiosk-based promotions that rewarded engaged loyalty members. Stores used creative combinations—including sweepstakes and experiential events—to attract crowds and differentiate their offers. Shoppers who arrived early, confirmed local opening times, prepared apps and membership accounts, understood coupon stacking rules, and followed rebate instructions had the best chance of securing free items. Even with careful planning, a few promotions carried ambiguity, particularly text-based offers, which underscored the importance of reading the fine print and verifying details at the store level.

For future Black Friday freebie hunts, the core principles remain consistent: know your eligibility rules, align timing with store schedules, distinguish between immediate freebies and post-rebate outcomes, and prepare digital tools before heading out. These strategies helped maximize free item acquisition in 2017 and continue to be relevant for deal seekers, parents, pet owners, and sample enthusiasts looking to get the most value from one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

Sources

1. Black Friday Freebies 2017 – Actually Free
2. Black Friday 2017 Free Stuff – My Dollar Plan
3. Black Friday 2017 Freebies – Fortune
4. Where to Score Freebies on Black Friday 2017 – 10News