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29 Replies Last post: Dec 24, 2008 7:37 AM by leolazarus

What is the value of a "Free" product or service?

Jan 7, 2008 6:19 PM

Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
When you hear the word free used in reference to a product or service, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

All opinions are welcome, and free of charge!
Tags: online_store, website, startup, ecommerce_software, ecommerce_solutions, shopping_cart Report as inappropriate
Click to view puzzleman's profile Mogul puzzleman 293 posts since
Oct 11, 2007
1. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 7, 2008 6:34 PM
in response to: intechspecial
When I see "Free", I pay extra close attention to the offer. No one gives anything away for free because we are all trying to make a buck or two. I feel that there is a catch in there. Sometimes there isn't, but my radar does go up.
With "Free Shipping", I appreciate that because I don't have to worry about the surprise shipping charges that are very high.
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Click to view NatOnline's profile Mogul NatOnline 670 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
2. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 7, 2008 6:46 PM
in response to: intechspecial
When I see Free or shipping included (the worse)

There is 3 possibilities:

1) The product or service are nothing valuable

2) Stock removal

3) Short Promotion

I think when I see shipping included, I see a red light scam, because you don't know what is the reel price tag. Buy many products and you can be sure the store make a huge hidden margin.

For service, this is another story...
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Click to view Lighthouse24's profile Mogul Lighthouse24 2,396 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
3. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 7, 2008 6:51 PM
in response to: intechspecial

As a business owner, "free" means I can afford to give it away, yet it has tangible value to a recipient. (Some aspects of business really ARE about building relationships and making the world a better place, not just making money.)

As a customer, the first thing that comes to mind is I hope the business I'm dealing with has the same philosophy I do. Many businesses don't, of course, so "free" very often isn't. If it's my first transaction with that firm or individual, I'm generally fairly cautious and "read the fine print" anyway. So something offered for "free" doesn't necessarily make me any more wary.
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Click to view DomainDiva's profile Mogul DomainDiva 1,732 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
4. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 7, 2008 8:42 PM
in response to: intechspecial
If I see 'free', I quickly start the intense search for how much I have to spend for whatever it is to be 'free'.

There is no such thing as a free lunch....someone somewhere pays.
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Click to view NatOnline's profile Mogul NatOnline 670 posts since
Oct 10, 2007
5. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 7, 2008 8:57 PM
in response to: DomainDiva
Happy New Year DomainDiva :-)

You are right, someone somewhere pays, in some cases it's me ;-)
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Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
6. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 9, 2008 1:09 AM
in response to: NatOnline

Take the site we are on for example - www.smallbusinessonlinecommuntiy.com

We are on here for free, yet it is a quality service.

If the names that were attached to this site were: New Banking Corp, and NONE(New Online Network of Entreprenurs), this site would suddenly lose its validation.

I guess it is all in a trade name, and it takes time to be taken seriously when you are the new kid on the block.
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Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 7,933 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
7. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 9, 2008 8:42 AM
in response to: intechspecial
SCORE is FREE. SCORE helps people going into or people in business FREE.
You can visit a SCORE office and talk to a counselor, or visit online. (FREE)
LUCKIEST
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Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
8. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 9, 2008 9:02 AM
in response to: LUCKIEST

SCORE is a free service, although worth its wait in gold.


Did I mention it was free?

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Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
9. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 9, 2008 9:49 AM
in response to: intechspecial
<h1>This is a test of the html broadcast system</h1>
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Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
10. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 9, 2008 9:50 AM
in response to: intechspecial
h1. [http://www.intechspecial.com/images/master_logo4.jpg]

Web Design by iTS
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Click to view puzzleman's profile Mogul puzzleman 293 posts since
Oct 11, 2007
11. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 9, 2008 10:54 AM
in response to: NatOnline

NatOnline, I offer my products with free shipping becasue I ship 98% of what I do and I could tell you a price plus a shipping price or just put it all together and advertise as "free shipping". So what happens is that my customers know the bottom line price going into the transaction. If they ask, I tell them that the shipping is built into the price, which it is. If they ask for a discount for picking it up, I do give them a 10% discount to pick it up. As my average ticket is $60, for $6 it doesn't make sense to drive too far.

So "Free Shipping" isn't scary to me because I compare the prices of both items with the shipping costs included. The shipping cost can be a large percentage of the items final cost.
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Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
12. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 9, 2008 12:42 PM
in response to: puzzleman
I guess we are all so used to the potential scams out there that we fail to realize that most companies are not trying to scam someone, they are just trying to bring in business.[http://www.intechspecial.com/images/design_logo.jpg]
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Click to view LUCKIEST's profile SCORE LUCKIEST 7,933 posts since
Aug 6, 2007
13. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 9, 2008 12:56 PM
in response to: intechspecial
Twelve replies (before this one) and the question "IS STILL NOT ANSWERED"
LUCKIEST
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Click to view intechspecial's profile Mogul intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008
14. Re: What is the value of a "Free" product or service? Jan 9, 2008 1:49 PM
in response to: LUCKIEST

This is true lucky.
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