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A free sample or freebie is a portion of food or other product which is given out in shopping malls, grocery stores, and other venues.^[1] Sometimes samples of non-perishable items are included in direct marketing mailings. The purpose of a free sample is to acquaint the consumer with a new product.

The concept of a free sample is not unlike that of a test drive, in that a customer is able to try out a product before purchasing it.

Recently many companies have decided to offer free samples to customers online as a way for them to try the product. The hope being that they enjoy the product and in the future wish to purchase the product again. ^[1]