Since I started reading the coupon and freebie blogs recently, I am just beginning to see items show up in my mailbox that I requested. The biggest thing I learned from the huge number of give-aways out there is that companies love to give their stuff away. Also, it is just as rare to encounter a helpful customer service person when you need one as it is for those on the other end to deal with someone who isn’t irate and complaining. Because of that, I’ve found that if you ask, you may get coupons, samples, or even free items that aren’t generally available.

For example, I emailed Seventh Generation when the triplets were born, inquiring as to whether they had a multiples discount program like some of the big diaper companies. They don’t, but they very cheerfully responded to my message and sent me a huge envelope of coupons including 4 or 5 free packs of diapers and lots of $1/off other products.

When I new we would be starting solids soon, I did the same thing over at Earth’s Best, letting them know we use their formula (Similac Organic is out, long story for another time) and all of their baby food products. I didn’t receive an email back, so I didn’t think much of it. Fast forward to opening the mailbox yesterday and I had a nice letter from their customer service, three $5/off formula coupons, six FREE jar of baby food coupons, and three FREE other food item (up to $2.99)! That’s about $35 in savings for sending an email.

Granted, I have triplets, so your mileage with a singleton may vary, but that’s not really the point. I got $25 in store credit from drugstore.com when my BOGO order of Sassy products got all wonky earlier this week, and I never mentioned that I’m a triplet mama. Basically, I find that it’s worth asking, it’s worth dealing with customer service (especially virtually… all of these intances happened solely over email and totaled more than $100 in free stuff), because so few people do, and do so politely, that good things might happen to you. And when it’s a matter of sending a few emails, what have you got to lose?