Get It Free Free Samples Or Marketing Scheme An Analysis Of The Popular Freebie Site

Get It Free is a website that claims to compile free samples, deals, coupons, and sweepstakes in one convenient location for consumers seeking to save money. The site has been operating since 2011 under Zeeto Group LLC in San Diego, California, and has gained significant attention for its promise of free products across various categories. However, the platform has generated substantial controversy, with many users questioning whether it actually delivers on its promises or functions primarily as a marketing scheme. This analysis examines the claims made by Get It Free and the experiences reported by users to determine whether the site genuinely provides free samples to consumers.

How Get It Free Claims to Operate

According to the official information provided on Get It Free's FAQ page, the site functions as a curator of promotional offers. The company states that its team searches the web for freebies, deals, coupons, and sweepstakes, then compiles them in a single location. They claim to update their offers daily, providing users with fresh opportunities to obtain products at no cost.

The process for obtaining samples through Get It Free, as described on their website, involves several steps:

1. Users browse the website for offers, with the option to use a search bar to find specific products.
2. Clicking on an offer directs users to a page with more detailed information about the product.
3. To redeem an offer, users follow the instructions provided, typically starting by clicking a "Redeem Now" button.
4. Users are then instructed to click "Redeem Freebie" in their basket.
5. This action redirects users to a third-party site that hosts the offer, where they must follow instructions or fill out forms to complete the request.

Get It Free explicitly states that they do not ship all offers themselves. They acknowledge that while some offers are shipped directly by their company, others are shipped by third-party brands. They claim that users can determine which offers are fulfilled by third parties during the redemption process, as these will redirect to the third-party company's website.

Regarding fulfillment, Get It Free states that if users provide complete and accurate information when registering, they will ensure samples reach them—but only for offers fulfilled directly by Get It Free. For third-party offers, users must follow the redemption instructions on the respective company's website, which would then ship the product if still available.

User Experiences with Free Sample Fulfillment

Despite the claims made by Get It Free, numerous user reviews across multiple platforms suggest a significantly different experience. On Trustpilot and SiteJabber, hundreds of users have reported that they never received the promised free samples despite completing all required steps.

Many users describe being redirected to third-party websites when attempting to claim offers. These redirects often lead to multiple survey pages or additional offers that are unrelated to the original product the user sought. One reviewer noted that after clicking a link for free Dove samples, they were directed through multiple pages of surveys and offers from unaffiliated companies, ultimately reaching a dead end with no way to claim the original sample.

A common complaint among users is the extensive time investment required to potentially receive samples. Reviewers describe completing numerous surveys only to receive error messages at the final step or to be offered products that do not match the original offer. One user reported completing surveys for Dewalt tools but ultimately received only a single screwdriver instead of the promised tools.

The fulfillment timeline is another point of contention. While Get It Free suggests waiting 4-6 weeks before contacting companies about undelivered samples, many users report waiting much longer without receiving any products. Some users have waited years without receiving the items they requested after completing all required surveys and steps.

Marketing and Privacy Concerns

Beyond issues with sample fulfillment, many users have raised concerns about Get It Free's marketing practices and privacy policies. A significant number of reviewers report experiencing a sudden increase in marketing calls and emails after signing up for the service.

One user noted receiving 133 marketing calls within the first four days of signing up, suggesting that their phone number was shared with third-party marketers shortly after registration. Another user reported being bombarded with 103 different emails within six hours of completing a survey for free KitchenAid utensils, with subsequent attempts to unsubscribe proving ineffective.

These experiences have led many users to conclude that Get It Free may be collecting user information and selling it to third-party marketers rather than genuinely providing free samples. The volume of unsolicited marketing communications following site usage has caused some users to change their phone numbers or create new email addresses to stop the influx.

Legal and Regulatory Actions

Frustrated by their experiences, numerous users have taken formal action against Get It Free. Multiple reviews mention filing complaints with the Better Business Bureau, which has received enough complaints to warrant investigation into the company's practices. Users report feeling misled by the site's promises and frustrated by the lack of accountability when samples aren't delivered.

Some legal professionals have also reviewed the site, with one calling for Get It Free to be "shut down for multiple reasons" including false advertising and harassment. The site's practices have drawn criticism for potentially violating consumer protection laws by making promises they don't intend to keep.

Analysis of the Business Model

Based on the available information, Get It Free operates primarily as an aggregator of promotional offers rather than a direct distributor of products. The company redirects users to third-party sites where actual fulfillment occurs. This model creates several issues:

1. Lack of Control: Since Get It Free does not control the third-party sites, they have limited ability to ensure users actually receive samples after completing the required steps.

2. Data Collection: The site appears to collect significant user information during the sign-up and redemption processes, which may be more valuable to the company than providing free samples.

3. Page Views and Advertising: The redirection process generates numerous page views and opportunities for additional advertising, potentially benefiting Get It Free financially while failing to deliver on the primary promise of free samples.

4. Limited Accountability: As a third-party aggregator, Get It Free can deflect responsibility for undelivered samples to the companies that actually fulfill the offers.

Benefits and Risks of Using Get It Free

The site does offer some potential benefits for consumers:

• Convenience: Having access to multiple free offers in one location can save time compared to searching across different brand websites.
• No Cost: Signing up is free, and no credit card is required to access the basic service.
• Categorization: The site organizes offers by category, making it easier to find products of interest.

However, the risks appear to outweigh these benefits:

• Broken Promises: Many users report completing all required steps but never receiving the promised samples.
• Privacy Concerns: Users report significant increases in marketing communications after using the site.
• Time Investment: The process of completing surveys and offers can be time-consuming with no guarantee of receiving products.
• Potential for Scams: Some users report being directed to questionable websites or asked to provide sensitive information.

Conclusion

The evidence suggests that Get It Free does not consistently deliver on its promise of providing free samples to consumers. While the site may occasionally fulfill some offers, the overwhelming number of user reports indicate that most visitors do not receive the products they request after completing the necessary steps. The redirection to third-party sites, combined with significant increases in marketing communications following site usage, suggests that the business model may prioritize data collection and advertising revenue over genuine sample fulfillment.

For consumers seeking free samples, the site offers convenience but comes with substantial risks. The time investment required to potentially receive samples often yields no results, and the privacy implications of using the service are concerning. Given the volume of negative reviews and formal complaints, consumers should approach Get It Free with caution and consider alternative methods for obtaining free samples directly from brand websites or established sample programs.

Sources

1. Get It Free FAQ Page
2. Trustpilot Reviews
3. SiteJabber Reviews
4. Get It Free Review Analysis