It’s interesting to note that I don’t usually buy what I’m sampling… I buy other things. However, Costco is probably fine with having a loss leader help bring people into the store and allowing me to purchase other items while having me guarantee that I’m going to stand there and allow myself to be advertised to.

However, I don’t go back for more than one. I will frequently give my sample to my husband, but no more than one sample each. Except for the time they had 7 different varieties of fudge… it tasted delicious to my pregnant taste buds, and I asked if it was okay. As it was, the company who was giving out the fudge had their own workers doing it, and they weren’t shy about offering people multiple samples.

I only sample things once (for the most part), and have yet to buy anything I’ve sampled, but I usually buy one small thing for myself as a treat, so I don’t find going too unethical. Honestly, I’ve fallen in love with the store and would be a regular customer if I wasn’t living on a below-minimum-wage stipend.

The only part I find unethical about the scenario is going back for seconds and thirds. I think the occasional second sample of something you’re considering buying is okay, but otherwise, taking multiples is a definite no-no.

Also, taking three or four samples simply proves you like the food, and that you are more likely to buy it (from ANY vendor) at a later date. If there’s a shortage of samples, then its up to the food company to make sure they have employees who can draw the line.

One of the top rules in sales is that when you let the customer touch, taste, try, handle, etc the product, they buy more. Judging people for being comfortable trying samples that they were offered is rediculous, and if there are enough samples that someone with a small appetite is full and doesn’t need another meal, there’s nothing wrong with that.

Anyway, all that to say – Take a sample, it’s what it’s there for. I think the abuse comes in when think of it as a meal substitute.

I think its unethical if someone takes multiple free bagged lunches at a charity event just so they can get full. In that case something is given away free as a favor for guests not with the intent to eventually make a sale.

When I shop at Costco I try most of the samples, even ones for items I think I’ll never buy. (Sometimes I change my mind.) When I go to the farmer’s market, however, I’ll only try a sample of something that I might actually buy. It seems more unfair (unethical?) to take a sample from a struggling farmer.

Like the post a couple of days ago about taking home unopened hotel disposable items, this is another situation where the “ethics” of the situation is easily resolved if we recognize that in each case there are two participants (customer & store, guest & hotel) who have entered into an agreement. One of the participants isn’t clear on a minor detail of the agreement (Do I get to take home unopened disposibles? Am I entitled to multiple samples, even if I’m not buying?)

Respect for the other participant suggests that if you are unclear on what the details of your agreement are, you should not unilaterally decide in your own favor, but should ask what the other party’s expectation is. If they are OK with your plan, no problem and no ethical dilemma. If they are not, you should respect that and, if it’s important to you, take it into account when deciding if you want to be a repeat customer.

The reason I think you should respect it if they say “No” is because it is just as much your fault as theirs that the agreement was unclear. You could ask, before you book a hotel, if you are entitled to take home disposibles, and decline to stay at hotels that say “No.”

On the other hand the grocery store I used to work at often sampled things ourselves too. For instance when we had 4 packs of cinnamon rolls on sale we would offer people half a cinnamon roll. There were the occasional people who would come up with 2 kids, each grabbing a whole rolls worth and wander off. At that point they’ve consumed an entire package worth though only a 1/2 package more than if they had properly sampled 1 each. But if it’s one person eating 4 rolls how is that different then taking a package off the shelf and eating it? We had plenty of people who would grab cookie packages off the shelf and help themselves to 2 or 3 if we didn’t have any samples. And due to contamination we would throw those packages away. My view is that sampling offers distinct advantages to each side. The customer doesn’t have to wonder about the quality of the product and is so more willing to buy (decreased risk) and we are more sure the customer will like it and therefore have a lower risk of them coming back the next day with a 3 left in the pack asking for their money back (and throwing away 3 cinnamon rolls).

They did a health fair at work at the vision insurance company was giving out nice hard sided glasses cases with their name on it. We get a nice safe place to keep our glasses. They can hopefully save some money on replacements and advertise their services anywhere we’re using our glass cases. However several of my coworkers who have perfect vision hit the fair first to get first crack at all the samples and took all the cases for their sunglasses. The result was that several coworkers who do have prescription glasses through that insurance didn’t get them. Is that ethical?

I’m still leaning towards unethical on the original situation though. They’re pushing the majority of their costs on other people who get nothing from the situation. The samplers aren’t getting their products to new customers, the store’s not getting sales and the other customers are getting increased crowds and an increased chance of the samples running out. I have a Costco membership but I will not go there on Saturdays because the crowds there just aren’t worth it to me.

Also in regards to the used comment I firmly believe used sales help everyone. How much would you pay for a car if there were no trade ins or 2nd hand sales? How much for a movie if you weren’t allowed to get rid of it? Most cases I’ve seen electronic downloads of movies are considerbaly cheaper than DVD’s and I suspect that’s a main reason. If I buy a used CD from a friend who doesn’t like it anymore I get to try something new (and if I like it potentially but it new next time), she gets more money to invest in a new CD and the CD company gets to expose me to something at no additional cost and potentially get some of that money I gave my friend when she makes her new purchase and consequently charge slightly higher prices.

Good manners include taking care not to appear piggy, and any child should have been taught that. Any adults not limiting themselves are going around discrediting their parents’ reputation.

I used to feel slightly guilty about doing this all the time without ever buying anything (for YEARS), until one day I tried a sample of a goat cheese spread that was so amazing I just had to buy a container. Worse, now I’m hooked — every time I go to that store I’m tempted to buy that spread (and often do!).

The stores are figuring that most people won’t follow through and actually buy something… so I don’t think taking advantage of it is at all unethical. They must see enough of an increase in sales from the small minority who do, to make it worthwhile. As others have said… businesses offer free treats in order to lure *potential* customers into their stores, or get them to try things they wouldn’t normally consider buying. You’re under no obligation if you accept.

It sounds like your friend is either in dire financial straits, or thinks free samples are fun — and c’mon, don’t we all? Either way I don’t think it’s a big deal.

Of course, ever since that one time I saw a filthy homeless person groping through the cheese cubes with her filthy unwashed hands, I haven’t really found the samples that appetizing. :/