More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

[PrincessPerky]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

I agree. I assumed the OP was referring to events that were open to the public. If you are sneaking into a non-public event, that would be stealing.

Ditto

[Ima saver]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

I was invited to attend a seminar regarding the book, smart women finish rich. We got a free lunch and a free copy of the book. I didn't feel like I was stealing; I was invited.

[tabbycat31]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

re events/trade shows. Most of the events I go to have fees associated with them (ie a small admission fee, usually $10 or less) and about $5 for parking. I go for the event itself. If they want to give me freebie pens, keychains, etc I will take them. The company I work for does this all the time. I have a box full of stuff with the company's logo on them.

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

I don't see any of it as stealing. Shampoo is included in the price of the room. Free food is a gimmee! The food draws bodies in the door. How manjy people would be there without the free food!

Go for it!

[crow67]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

If I go to trade shows or whatever, I go because there's something I'm interested in. With the free promo stuff, there's a better chance of me remembering who had what. So, if they want to give it, I take. And as for the shampoo and soap from a hotel, it's promo thing as well.

[ozzy gurl]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

Free food is a gimmee! The food draws bodies in the door. How manjy people would be there without the free food!

But the OP said that if there was no intention to go in the door, just get the food and leave. That's where I have the objection. Go and walk around for a few minutes. You might learn something.

[disneysteve]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

The food draws bodies in the door. How manjy people would be there without the free food!

But the OP said that if there was no intention to go in the door, just get the food and leave. That's where I have the objection. Go and walk around for a few minutes. You might learn something.

I'm a physician. When I go to medical conferences, in addition to the educational lectures, there is a convention hall filled with vendors - drug companies, equipment, supplies, etc. I can tell you from experience, the doctors attending the conference go into the exhibit hall for 3 reasons: 1) free food and drinks, 2) free promo items (pens, pads, models, etc.) and 3) we get education credits for going around and having the exhibitors sign a log card showing we visited them. If those three reasons were stopped, I doubt more than a handful of docs would waste their time and the exhibit hall probably wouldn't exist as it wouldn't be worth the time and expense for the exhibitors to be there.

Free is free. If there are no conditions or strings attached, there is nothing wrong with going and taking full advantage of what they are offering.

[Ima saver]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

I use to buy stocks thru Edward Jones. They very often had a program that they wanted you to attend and they usually offered pizza and soft drinks.If I attended a program, I ate the free food. I see people taking free cups of coffee at the bank all the time. They always ask me if I want some, but I am not a coffee drinker.

[disneysteve]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

Is it stealing to attend a timeshare sales presentation just to get the cash or gift they are giving if you know you have no intention of ever buying a timeshare? Thousands of people do this all over the country every day. Are they all thieves?

The company knows perfectly well that most attendees won't buy. It is worth the cost of the giveaways, though, to rope in the few that do.

[Ima saver]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

That is very true steve, I know lots of people that have gotten free items from timeshare presentations.

[ozzy gurl]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

But what you both are speaking of is actually attending the program. I think it's stealing to go to an art exhibit without looking at the art just to get the food.

[ozzy gurl]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

Is it stealing to attend a timeshare sales presentation just to get the cash or gift they are giving if you know you have no intention of ever buying a timeshare? Thousands of people do this all over the country every day. Are they all thieves?

The company knows perfectly well that most attendees won't buy. It is worth the cost of the giveaways, though, to rope in the few that do.

I've already addressed that in one of my previous posts. Yes, that is true...the company is expecting a loss, but they are also hoping they will rope SOMEONE in. That's not stealing.

Going to a meeting or cultural event for five minutes to get a plate and leave is stealing. Sorry. I'm not budging on this one.

[LuxLiving]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

The last couple of timeshare events we visited we made very clear that we were only coming for the FREE event tickets and luncheon and that we had absolutely no intent to buy whatsover. They all wanted us to attend anyway. No, we've never bought either...although I was gifted a timeshare by my parents.


I take the free popcorn at my local bank on every visit. I don't eat it as it's too salty, but the kiddos have always enjoyed it.

[ozzy gurl]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

I also think it is funny that so many people are up in arms about actually paying for fast food but not taking an extra packet of ketchup, but think it's perfectly fine to get an entire meal for free without actually attending the event the meal is provided for.

[disneysteve]

Re: More thoughts on is this frugal or stealing....

But what you both are speaking of is actually attending the program. I think it's stealing to go to an art exhibit without looking at the art just to get the food.

I guess I don't see the difference. If I go to a timeshare presentation with no intention of buying just to get the gift, isn't that the same as going to a gallery opening with no intention of purchasing any art just to get the meal? Does it matter how long I stay or how many exhibits I actually look at?

What about going to the supermarket and trying all the free samples with no intent of buying any of the products?