Free Coffee Samples And Promotional Offers In The United States A Comprehensive Guide For 2018

Free coffee samples offer consumers the opportunity to explore different coffee brands and roasts without financial commitment. In 2018, the coffee market in the United States was robust, with Americans spending approximately $9.7 billion on dry coffee and $2.7 billion on liquid coffee drinks annually. With 64% of adults over 18 consuming at least one cup of coffee daily, and 79% enjoying coffee at home, the industry has developed various sampling programs to introduce new products and build brand loyalty. This guide examines the methods available to U.S. consumers for obtaining free coffee samples in 2018, including mail-in offers, in-store promotions, digital rewards programs, and special events like National Coffee Day.

Mail-In Free Coffee Samples

The most direct way to obtain free coffee samples in 2018 was through mail-in offers from various coffee companies. These programs typically required consumers to complete an online form with their shipping information, after which samples were delivered by mail to their provided address.

Verified Gourmet Coffee offered a popular coffee sampler set containing four different roasts. Interested consumers needed to complete a form to receive the sample by mail, with the company limiting one sample per household or address. This sampler provided an opportunity to taste multiple varieties without committing to purchasing full bags.

SafeNest Coffee stood out by offering free samples with a social mission. The company provided workplace training and employment opportunities to survivors of domestic violence. By requesting a sample, consumers supported this initiative while trying the coffee. The offer was available to U.S. residents, and the company shipped samples only to addresses within the United States.

ARCO Coffee provided free 1.75 oz samples or K-cup compatible samples of their coffees. While the samples were free, consumers were responsible for shipping costs. The company typically selected which coffees to send as samples, though customers could specify preferences if there was a particular coffee they wanted to try.

Kona Coffee offered free samples to consumers worldwide, with requests from the USA, Canada, Australia, UK, and EU being processed first. The company required interested individuals to fill out an online form, with a limit of one sample per person. This international availability made Kona Coffee accessible to a broad audience.

Blue Bottle Coffee, known for its subscription service, offered a free trial where consumers could receive a 12-oz bag of their choice, including espresso, blend, or single origin coffee. This trial allowed customers to experience the brand's quality before committing to a subscription.

Narrow Gate Coffee provided free samples to U.S. residents who completed a form on their website. By requesting a sample, consumers also opted into occasional email communications about the brand. The company maintained a strict policy of shipping samples only to addresses within the United States.

Tryazon represented another option for obtaining coffee samples through their platform. Tryazon provided free samples through two methods: TryaBoxes (boxes containing multiple samples) and party packs (larger quantities for sharing with friends). Users needed to register with the platform and, if selected for sampling opportunities, received either a TryaBox or party pack. In exchange for the free samples, participants were expected to share their opinions on the products. While Tryazon had offered coffee samples in the past, availability varied depending on the specific sampling opportunities.

In-Store and App-Based Coffee Promotions

Beyond mail-in samples, several retailers and coffee companies offered free coffee through in-store promotions, mobile applications, or special sampling machines in 2018.

7-Eleven provided a mobile app that rewarded customers with points and exclusive bonus offers. Users earned points with each purchase and could redeem them for free food and drinks, including coffee. The program offered every 7th cup of coffee free to app users, creating an incentive for regular customers to engage with the digital platform.

Freeosk machines appeared in more than 1,400 locations across the country in stores like Walmart, Albertsons, and Sam's Club. These machines offered samples in a variety of categories, including coffee. The samples on offer changed regularly, so coffee wasn't always available. However, consumers could browse the latest offers through the Freeosk app, making it worth checking periodically for coffee sample opportunities.

National Coffee Day, celebrated on September 29, 2018, represented one of the most significant promotional periods for free coffee offers. Major retailers including Starbucks, Peet's, Dunkin' Donuts, Wawa, and Cinnabon participated by offering free cups of coffee and discounts on coffee beans. This day existed as a marketing opportunity to attract customers while also supporting coffee farmers in need through donations.

Subscription Services and Trial Offers

Several coffee companies in 2018 used trial offers and subscription models to introduce new customers to their products, with some essentially functioning as free sample programs.

Amora Coffee, which offered a coffee subscription service, provided its first bag for just $1 with free shipping. Consumers could also add a second bag for 50% off. The company's model encouraged trial at a minimal cost, though it required careful management to avoid automatic charges for future deliveries if the subscription wasn't canceled.

Blue Bottle Coffee also utilized a trial approach, offering a free trial where customers could receive a 12-oz bag of their choice. This allowed consumers to experience the brand's quality without initial financial commitment, potentially leading to subscription conversions.

TradeWind Coffee employed a different strategy, inviting customers to send postcards to friends, offering $1 off any purchase or a discount on the online store. While not a direct sample of the coffee itself, this promotion introduced new customers to the brand and encouraged word-of-mouth marketing. The service was available to U.S. residents.

Special Promotional Days and Events

National Coffee Day 2018 stood out as a particularly significant promotional period in the coffee industry. Celebrated on September 29, the day featured numerous offers from popular coffee retailers. According to reports, this day was one of the most popular for free coffee and deals, with major chains participating to attract customers and generate excitement.

Participating retailers in 2018 included: - Starbucks - Peet's Coffee - Dunkin' Donuts - Wawa - Cinnabon

These establishments offered various promotions ranging from completely free cups of coffee to discounts on coffee beans and merchandise. The day not only served as a marketing opportunity but also allowed some companies to demonstrate social responsibility by donating to coffee farmers in need.

The timing of National Coffee Day was strategic, coming as coffee consumption reached notable highs in the United States. With 64% of adults over 18 consuming at least one cup of coffee daily, the industry recognized the value of leveraging this enthusiasm with special promotions.

Tips for Identifying Legitimate Free Coffee Sample Offers

In 2018, consumers needed to be discerning when seeking free coffee samples to avoid scams or misleading offers. Legitimate sample programs typically shared several common characteristics:

1. Official brand websites or verified third-party sample distribution platforms
2. Clear terms and conditions specifying eligibility requirements
3. Transparent information about any associated costs (such as shipping fees)
4. Reasonable limits on sample quantities (typically one per household)
5. No requirement for sensitive financial information

Companies like Verified Gourmet Coffee, SafeNest Coffee, and ARCO Coffee maintained clear processes for sample requests, with straightforward forms and explicit information about shipping policies. In contrast, offers that seemed too good to be true or required excessive personal information without clear justification should have been approached with caution.

Consumers were also advised to check the expiration dates of sample offers, as many had limited timeframes for participation. Additionally, understanding geographic restrictions was important, as some samples were only available to certain regions or countries.

Maximizing Sample Opportunities

For consumers interested in exploring multiple coffee brands without financial commitment, 2018 offered several strategies for maximizing sample opportunities:

1. Registering with multiple sample distribution platforms like SampleSource.com, which offered samples in various categories including coffee. SampleSource.com operated by allowing users to complete their profiles and then notifying them via email when samples matching their interests became available. The company offered samples during Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons, with limits of one package per household per offer period.

2. Participating in Tryazon's sampling program, which occasionally featured coffee products. While selection wasn't guaranteed, registered users had the chance to receive TryaBoxes or party packs in exchange for product feedback.

3. Utilizing retail apps like 7-Eleven's to accumulate points for free coffee rewards. Regular engagement with these apps could lead to consistent free product opportunities.

4. Monitoring in-store sampling opportunities through Freeosk machines, which appeared in over 1,400 locations across the country. The changing nature of these samples meant regular checks could yield coffee samples when available.

5. Taking advantage of promotional periods like National Coffee Day, when major retailers offered special deals and free samples.

Conclusion

In 2018, U.S. consumers had numerous opportunities to obtain free coffee samples through various channels. Mail-in programs from companies like Verified Gourmet Coffee, SafeNest Coffee, and ARCO Coffee allowed consumers to taste different roasts and blends at home. In-store promotions and app-based rewards, such as 7-Eleven's points program, provided immediate gratification for regular customers. Special events like National Coffee Day offered concentrated opportunities for free coffee from major retailers.

For consumers interested in exploring different coffee brands, these sample programs provided valuable experiences without financial commitment. The coffee industry's investment in sampling reflected the competitive nature of the market and the importance of consumer experience in building brand loyalty. By understanding the available options and knowing how to identify legitimate offers, consumers could maximize their coffee sampling experiences in 2018.

Sources

1. A Comprehensive Guide To Free Coffee Samples And Caffeine Promotions In The Us
2. Free Coffee Samples
3. National Coffee Day 2018 Deals