The Ultimate Guide To Free Samples In 2016 Trusted Sources And How To Get Free Products By Mail

Oct. 17, 2025, 10:13 p.m.

Tags: best

Free samples have long been a popular way for consumers to try products without financial commitment. In 2016, the landscape of free sample opportunities expanded significantly, with numerous platforms and programs offering everything from food and beauty products to baby care and household items. This comprehensive guide explores the best sources for free samples that year, how these programs work, and strategies for maximizing your chances of receiving high-quality products.

How Free Sample Programs Work

Free sample programs operate through various models, but generally follow a similar process. Consumers sign up through websites or brand programs, provide demographic information, and receive products to test. Most companies take 6-8 weeks to fulfill orders after registration, though some platforms offer faster delivery times.

The majority of legitimate free sample programs do not require a credit card for sign-up, and shipping is typically included at no cost. Many programs request feedback in the form of surveys or reviews after trying the products, as this valuable consumer information helps brands improve their offerings.

Some programs operate on a subscription model, where participants receive boxes of products regularly. Others offer one-time samples that can be claimed through specific promotions or limited-time offers. Understanding these different models helps consumers choose programs that best fit their interests and time commitment.

Trusted Platforms for Free Samples

Several established platforms emerged as reliable sources for free samples in 2016. Each offers unique advantages and caters to different consumer preferences.

Daily Goodie Box

Daily Goodie Box operates as a subscription-style service that sends boxes of free goodies to participants. The process is straightforward: users sign up and receive a box containing various products, then provide reviews of their experiences. Shipping is always free, and no credit card is required to participate.

Recipients might find an assortment of products in their boxes, such as food items, snacks, and household goods. For example, one unboxing revealed Beanitos Black Bean Chips, Q Ginger Beer, Navitas Naturals Hemp Peanut and Cacao Cranberry Bars, Van Holten's Pickle-Ice, JJ's Sweets Cocomels Coconut Milk Caramels, Gutsy Products, Hampton Creek Just Mayo, and Nootrobox Chewable Coffee Cubes. The variety of products allows consumers to discover new brands and items they might not have tried otherwise.

PINCHme

PINCHme functions as a free sampling platform connecting consumers with brands seeking consumer feedback. The process begins with creating a detailed profile that includes information about preferences and lifestyle. This helps the platform match participants with relevant samples.

Once registered, users can claim free samples on "Sample Tuesdays," when new opportunities become available. These samples are often claimed quickly, so prompt action is recommended. After receiving and testing products, participants leave honest reviews through the platform.

The benefits of using PINCHme include discovering new products, saving money by trying before buying, and contributing to product development. The platform also emphasizes its eco-friendly approach, suggesting that sampling reduces waste by ensuring consumers only purchase products they actually like and use.

MySavings.com

MySavings.com emerged as a comprehensive directory for free samples and other savings opportunities. The platform covers a wide range of categories including baby products, pet supplies, personal care items, wellness products, snacks, and cleaning supplies. What sets MySavings.com apart is its commitment to updating offerings daily, ensuring fresh opportunities for visitors.

Participants report receiving various samples through MySavings.com, including laundry detergent, vitamins, moisturizers, baby wipes, and even full-sized household products. Most samples arrive within 2-6 weeks of request. Beyond free samples, the platform also shares high-value coupons and sweepstakes opportunities, making it a resource for broader savings.

Sephora Beauty Insider

For beauty enthusiasts, the Sephora Beauty Insider program offered significant value. This free-to-join program provided access to deluxe samples, birthday gifts, and sample sets during promotions. Members could discover high-end skincare and fragrance minis without making a purchase.

The program occasionally released limited-time sample codes on its website, offering exclusive minis and early access to new product launches. Beauty lovers found this particularly valuable for trying premium products before committing to full-size purchases.

Consistently Available Free Samples by Mail

Certain brands and organizations offered consistently available free samples throughout 2016. These reliable options provided ongoing opportunities for consumers to receive products by mail without time-sensitive claiming requirements.

Baby Care Products

Several baby care brands maintained ongoing sample programs for expectant and new parents:

Enfamil offered free samples and over $400 in free offers for parents.
Similac provided the Strong Moms Rewards Program, offering up to $400 in great offers along with freebies.
Amazon Baby Registry allowed users to create a registry and receive a surprise box of goodies valued at up to $35.

These programs were particularly valuable for parents wanting to try different baby products before committing to full-size purchases.

Pet Products

Pet owners could access several free sample options:

The ASPCA offered a Pet Protection Safety Pack to help keep fur babies safe.
American Spirit provided free cigarette butt pouches for those 21 years of age and older.

These offerings addressed specific needs within the pet care category, from safety items to specialized accessories.

Health and Wellness

Multiple health and wellness brands maintained free sample programs:

Breathe Right offered free samples of their nasal strips, typically arriving within 1-2 weeks.
NeilMed provided a free sinus rinse or neti pot after participants completed a simple quiz.
Mack's EarPlugs offered free earplugs Monday through Friday at 11:00 am ET, while supplies lasted each day.

These health-focused samples allowed consumers to try products that addressed specific wellness concerns.

Food and Recipe Resources

Food-related samples and resources remained popular:

Jiffy Mix offered a free recipe book that was regularly updated with new recipes.
Sun-maid provided a free printed recipe booklet.
Annie's offered a selection of free stickers with various cute designs.

These options combined product samples with valuable resources for meal planning and preparation.

Home and Garden

For home and gardening enthusiasts:

Proven Winners distributed a free Gardener's Idea book.
Blue Nile offered a free ring sizer that typically shipped within 1-2 weeks.

These samples catered to specific interests beyond typical consumer goods categories.

Tips for Maximizing Free Sample Success

Successfully navigating the world of free samples requires strategy and attention to detail. Several approaches proved effective in increasing the likelihood of receiving desired products.

Creating Thorough Profiles

On platforms like PINCHme, completing detailed profiles significantly improved matching with relevant samples. Providing comprehensive information about preferences, lifestyle, and household characteristics helped algorithms connect participants with products they were most likely to use and enjoy. The more specific the profile information, the better the chances of receiving suitable samples.

Timing Strategies

For time-sensitive offers, prompt action was crucial. On PINCHme, samples made available on Sample Tuesdays were claimed quickly, so setting reminders to check the website early in the day increased success rates. Similarly, Mack's EarPlugs were available only Monday through Friday at 11:00 am ET, requiring timely attention.

For programs with limited availability like the Amazon Baby Registry surprise box, prompt registration ensured receipt before potential stock depletion.

Review Requirements and Best Practices

Many sample programs required feedback after product testing. Leaving honest, detailed reviews not only fulfilled program requirements but also increased the likelihood of receiving future samples. Brands valued authentic consumer opinions, and thorough reviews helped establish participants as serious contributors to the sampling community.

Organizing Sample Requests

With multiple sample programs available, staying organized helped prevent missed opportunities and duplicate requests. Keeping track of registered programs, expected delivery timeframes, and review deadlines ensured a smooth sampling experience. Some participants maintained spreadsheets or calendars to monitor their sample activities and follow-up requirements.

Special Categories of Freebies

Beyond regular sample programs, several specialized categories of freebies offered additional value to consumers in 2016.

Birthday Freebies

Numerous businesses provided special offers for birthdays. These ranged from complimentary food items at restaurants to discounts on products. While specific offers varied by establishment, birthday freebies represented an opportunity to celebrate without additional expense.

Food and Dining Freebies

The food category offered numerous free opportunities:

Subway occasionally buy-one-get-one-free deals for $1.
Various apps provided opportunities for free food through sign-ups.
Some restaurants offered days when kids could eat free.

These options allowed consumers to try new dining experiences or save on regular meals.

Kids' Freebies

Families with children could access several free resources:

Lego offered a free subscription to its Lego Life Magazine.
Various stores and restaurants provided special offers for children.
Schools and community organizations often hosted free events and activities.

These opportunities helped families entertain children without significant costs.

Seasonal and Promotional Offers

Throughout the year, brands released special promotions tied to holidays or seasonal events. These limited-time offers provided additional opportunities to receive free products, though they often required quick action and had specific eligibility requirements.

Conclusion

Free samples in 2016 offered consumers numerous opportunities to try products across various categories without financial commitment. From subscription boxes like Daily Goodie Box to platforms like PINCHme and MySavings.com, multiple avenues existed for accessing these offers. Consistently available samples from baby care brands, pet product companies, and health and wellness providers ensured ongoing opportunities.

Success in the free sample realm required strategic profile creation, timely attention to offers, and commitment to providing feedback. For those willing to invest the time, free samples delivered tangible benefits including cost savings, product discovery, and reduced environmental waste through more informed purchasing decisions.

As the market continued to evolve, free sample programs remained a valuable resource for savvy consumers looking to maximize value while exploring new products and brands.