I was reading Skippy's Vegetable Garden this morning, about the two big boxes on her doorstep. Inside was an Organic Compost Tumbler that she had received (free gratis)! She linked to a review from Carol at May Dreams Garden, who had also received a tumbler (free gratis) from that same company. I was so impressed with the results of that review (I'm a compost failure), I rushed right over to the company's website to check it out. Alas, the $285.95 price tag is more than I can handle. Let's face it folks, I'm 70 years old. How many years would it take me to make $285.95 worth of compost?
I wonder if son John can rig up a compost tumbler? ;-)
I am sometimes amazed at what some bloggers receive for free, just to try their products. I got a package of bok choy seeds from Patti Moreno, but that's been the extent of my freebies! I once put a link to Hume Seeds on my blog, and gave them a glowing report on how I could always rely on their seeds. I even sent them an email, with a link to the blog. I didn't do it to get something for nothing, but a free package of seeds would have been nice to reward me for the business I sent their way. I know my best friend bought all of her seeds from them after reading my blog, others may have done the same. They did reply to my email, with a "thank you".
Do any of you ever get offers for free merchandise?
Believe it or not, me with my 10 regular visitors got offered a big discount for the soil block makers because I posted about them!
ReplyDeleteI've never received anything from a company but I don't bother to pimp them out either. I guess it's like the lottery, you've got to pay to play.
ReplyDeleteAs far as a free composter goes they're pretty easy to make for cheap. Get a large round garbage can, drill holes in it on the sides and bottom, fill 3/4ths full by layering browns (leaves, straw, hay, paper, etc) with greens, (kitchen scraps, coffee grinds, grass clippings, etc) in 3" layers. Put on lid and secure with bungee cords. Turn on it's side and leave for about three days. Afterward, roll it around a few times every other day or so. Check on it occasionally to see how it's doing and water if necessary. (It should be kept as wet as a wrung out sponge). Depending on how much attention you give it, it should be done in a few weeks to a few months. If it starts to smell like ammonia add in more browns, if it's stalling and not rotting fast enough, add in more greens. FUN!
I agree. I have wondered how these bloggers get these great incentives! I wanna try something new! That was a great looking composter! I could never afford one either!
ReplyDeleteJen, see....anyone can do it but me ;-)
ReplyDeleteJenn, I have been tempted to make a roll around garbage can composter, but now I have to keep my compost behind the shed, and there's not much rolling room! I was actually doing pretty good on this year's compost, until the shed building began. The guys threw all the dirt and roots from the excavation in front of the compost bins, so I couldn't even get to them to add water. I accessed them yesterday for the first time in ages, and they are cold and dry. Still can't reach them to turn the pile.
Shawn Ann, Jenn says you have to pay to play! I guess I'm not a player. Or payer.
ReplyDeleteI ain't received crap! Of course, I build all of my own stuff......Hey! Maybe i'll send myself something! I'll do that right now! Woo Hoo! Hey....wait a minute, that's a waste of postage....maybe i'll just knock on the door, then run. Hee Hee.....
ReplyDeleteWell I got an offer to review a few things. They were nice enough, but not something I would ever use so I turned them down. I mean how can I review one of those little seats with all the pockets for your tools if I wouldn't want to sit in it? I LIKE sitting in the dirt. If they would offer to send me something I would actually use. Like gloves. Boy do I need some new gloves. Or some tall sturdy tomato towers. Or some clippers. Or a pruning saw. Yeah stuff I could use :> So far my only reviews have been of stuff I had to buy myself.
ReplyDeleteEG, I'll send you something if you'll send me something...then we won't feel left out!
ReplyDeleteDaphne, Oh, yeah!!! Like tomato towers. I'd sure go for those. Did you see Chery'ls post where she got a whole bunch of them on freecycle? She's so lucky! Clippers...I just misplaced my good clippers, so I could use those too.
ReplyDeleteI hear you! I have been wondering how reviewing gets started as well. Lucky ducks! heh
ReplyDeleteLovely blog btw! Your gardens are gorgeous! :) If I had anything that needed to be reviewed, I'd definitely send it to you! :) Peace!
Cat, thank you for the compliments! Yes, some people have all the luck.
ReplyDeleteI've been offered a swift kick in the rear from someone who didn't like something I posted.
ReplyDeleteDoes that count? :)
Really, Ribbit? I have only had one comment that I didn't post, and that was someone who wanted me to buy something and link to his website. I just ignored him. Crap, do you suppose he wanted to give me a new compost tumbler or something? I though not ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Granny! I was over to Skippy's Vegetable garden this morning too... and was drooling over that composter...
ReplyDeleteI just had a good laugh over Ribbit's comment!!!
; )
Toni, I've never heard good things about those compost tumblers, but she (Carol) sure did have some nice looking compost from that model!
ReplyDeleteRibbit is a hoot.
First, I'm so jealous of your veggies. I'm so far behind you.
ReplyDeleteLast year I met a Free Cycler who was moving out of state and she had the Patio Compost Tumbler in her back yard. I told her if she decided to get rid of it I'd buy it from her. She tried to give it to me, but I paid for it (plus, I had already gotten two good pick-ups from her). This one cost $290 at 30 percent off and I gave her $50 for it. The bad news is the bushing was bad (which I found out after I offered the $50, but she gave me the part to fix it with). I fixed it and got a couple of batches last year, but this year I overloaded it and now it's doing a gangsta' lean waiting for me to fix it again.
The closest I've got to trying something for free is driving my kids to the Wrigley gum facility so they could try out some of their products. They were paid taste tests.
(sorry for going on and on)
Company's have NOT been beating my door down to get me to promote products or provide me with freebies. I did get a thank you email from Gardener's Supply once because one of their staff (who visits the site) had noted my use of their tomato cages and ladders. I thought that was kind of nice since it came unsolicited. But no gifts!
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I love it when you go on and on! I still say you are the luckiest when it comes to good finds.
ReplyDeleteKitsapFG, I think we're in the majority!
ReplyDeleteI've never gotten hit up from anyone. I'm willing to flog things I like -- but that's so like my normal personality that it's not likely to stand out!
ReplyDeleteAnd not many people are in business selling "sticks'n'wire" tomato cages and suchlike.
I wish I could swap veggies with some of you!
I haven't received anything yet. Then again, I'm not sure if I post that often, nor been blogging long enough. I'm sure you'll get some freebies really soon.
ReplyDeleteKalena Michele, it would be nice, but not necessary, LOL.
ReplyDeleteI enter quite a few giveaways, and have gotten free stuff that way a few times.
ReplyDeleteAs far as getting free stuff from companies to try out... it's not gardening stuff but I'm a BzzAgent. You can sign up for free on their website, just google it. So far I've gotten a free pack of Bic razors and an Off Lantern and Off belt clip fan, and I'm expecting to get some free Aveno shampoo here pretty soon.
I'm also a Dove Real Beauty Ambassador or whatever they call it and through that I've gotten a free full sized deodorant. I signed up for that via their website and they sent me a ton of great coupons too. :)
I put a little PR thing on my website about how to contact me if companies are interested. And I've been told there are blog networks I could join that would help get into the product review gig... but I sort of ran out of time with the approach of summer! I think I might look into it more this fall, getting free stuff is fun!
MommyAmy, I send for a lot of free samples from Wal-Mart, and watch other websites for free shampoos and stuff. I almost never have to buy shampoo, I get so many free samples! They're pretty good for razors, dog & cat food and quite a few other things. I've been downloading coupons for general Mills products, and they are good ones...$1 & $2 on most of them, for a lot of stuff I buy. I saved $15 on those products last week!
ReplyDelete