Just realized handing out free samples at the farmer's market backfired hard

Set up a stall in Portland last Saturday. Gave away tiny cups of my hot sauce. Figured people would taste it and buy a bottle. Nope. They just took the free sample and walked off. Maybe 3 bottles sold all day and I went through 2 gallons of sauce. Anyone else have free samples just turn into a giveaway?

3 comments

3 Comments

leodavis20d ago

Yeah that "try before you buy" thing rarely works with hot sauce. You gotta sell the sample for a buck or two to filter out the moochers.

theagibson20d ago

Ugh, you're so right. I've seen people do the same thing with homemade pickles at the farmers market. They'd give out a little spear and watch someone take three of them and just walk off without buying a thing. It's like you have to be a bouncer for your own sample tray. Charging a buck feels fair too, because then the people who are actually interested get a little taste but it's not just a free handout. It really does suck that a few rude people can mess up a good thing for everyone else, doesn't it?

elizabeths5120d ago

The moochers always ruin it. Had a friend who tried this with mini tacos at a street fair and people literally grabbed handfuls and ran. You gotta put up a sign saying "sample with purchase" or charge a quarter. Otherwise it's just free food for the takers. Portland's full of folks who'll take advantage of that.