Cool Freebie From USPS for Those That Qualify

http://mysampleshowcase.com/landing.iphtml?item=101145&source=&ss_id=&key=88259ba2279ed9c6d230f5341bb62de3

I just posted the new link above.  Give that one a shot and see if it works for you!

5/4/10 - I just received this in the mail yesterday and it is SO cool!  Here are all the cool things that came in the package:

Secret Clinical Strength deodorant {.5 ounce}
Aveeno Positively Ageless firming body lotion {1.5 ounce}
Aveeno Positively Ageless lifting and firming night cream {.3 ounce}
Aveeno Nourish and Moisturize Shampoo and Conditioner {single serve pouches}
Package of McCormicks Grill Mates Montreal Steak Marinade {full size packet .71 ounce}
Dove Milk Chocolate Bar {full size}
Shower to Shower Sport body powder {single serve packet}
Shower to Shower Shimmer Effects body powder {single serve packet}
Bengay Moist Heat Therapy {1 individually sealed pad}
Splenda samples and $1 coupon {2 single serve packets}
Tasters Choice Original Gourmet {1 single serve packet}
Tasters Choice Vanilla Gourmet {1 single serve Packet}
Several Aveeno Coupons

All in all I'd have to say that this box of samples was pretty darn impressive!  I can't wait to try all these great things.  Naturally the Dove chocolate bar was eaten right away, lol!  I imagine that since this was the pilot trial that they will be offering this again for more people.  I will keep my ear to the ground and let you all know when it is offered again.

The postal service is trying out a new idea.  Read all about it below then click on the link above to go to the survey and see if you qualify for the free sampling box of goodies!

Woo hoo!  I gave honest answers and I qualified!!  Here's the message I got:

Welcome to the Sample Showcase™ program.

You are part of an exclusive group and one of the first people to receive the Sample Showcase box, a new product sampling idea brought to you by the US Postal Service. The Sample Showcase will be arriving in early May — we hope you like it!
Now, in order to learn a bit more and help us determine the success of this new sampling program, we would appreciate it if you would complete a short survey. After you finish answering these questions, you will be one of the first to see what will be inside the Sample Showcase when it arrives!

I'm eager to see what's in the box.  However, the short survey I took asked if I have ever heard of the following items:

1. Nescafe Taster’s Choice
2. Aveeno Hair Care
3. Shower to Shower Body Powder
4. Dove Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate Bar
5. Aveeno Skin Care
6. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
7. Secret Deodorant
8. McCormick Grill Mates
9. Splenda Sweetener
10. Bengay Moist Heat Therapy

 Hmmmm, I wonder if these are what will be in the box???

USPS TO TEST DIRECT MAIL PRODUCT SAMPLING
DESIGNED TO SHARE MARKETERS’ COSTS, DRIVE MAIL REVENUE

"Eighty-one percent of consumers will buy a product after they receive a free sample, and most prefer to sample products at home, according to the Opinion Research Corp. This is the idea behind the marketing strategy of a samples co-op box that the Postal Service plans to market test early next month.

The “Sample Showcase,” to be distributed nationally on a limited basis as well as in larger quantities to consumers in Charlotte, NC, and Pittsburgh, is a box of assorted beauty, health and snack food items from multiple consumer packaged goods companies. The boxes will be branded with the Postal Service logo and include the tagline, “A selection of free product samples.”

Another strategy behind the pilot test is making sure that direct mail is the sampling method of choice. The co-op box concept, which allows candy bars to be marketed with skin lotions, for example, is expected to make direct mail sampling more attractive because it allows multiple manufacturers to share in the marketing and postage costs of the program.

“Consumer packaged goods companies are always looking for new ways to build brand awareness for their products,” said Robert Bernstock, president, Mailing and Shipping Services. “One method they often turn to is providing trial-size samples to consumers. A large and growing industry, product sampling offers the Postal Service the potential for millions of dollars of added revenue.”

The Postal Service will conduct research to determine the cost-effectiveness of the program and the value it provides to manufacturers and consumers.

“Mail is the only medium that really enables marketers to do this,” said Bernstock. “It provides access to people’s homes, and it can be tracked to determine if the samples actually convert to sales.”