How do you feel when you walk to a store and you see something on the menu to be free? Or how do you feel when you see free things? Do you ask, how do they make their money if they give it out for free. If its a new product, it is assumed that they are using the free stuff as a form of advertisement which is understandable. Because we know free stuff means you are giving people the chance have a taste of your product for free, and this is one of the best way to win people’s heart, and as usual, these people will help spread the word for you. But how long can it last? The main purpose of business is to make profit, no one creates a business for the purpose of giving it for free, except its a charity organisation. So even free stuff are not free, there is a hidden agenda.
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I learnt this five years ago when I was still in college, there was a new food spot that opened in my school area, they boldly advertised free wings every Wednesday. You could come and have free wings on wednesday, as a student who is on tight budget, that seemed like a huge deal and can help you with your hunger on Wednesdays. This particular wednesday, I decided to go get some free chicken wings with my friends, I entered the food store, sat down and ordered for my free chicken wings, the waiter came to me and showed me the store policy, I will have to buy something above $5 to get free chicken wings. I smiled, that’s the catch, nothing is truly free, so I bought something worth $6 just so I can get free chicken wings, besides, its still a win right? How many places do you go to and get free chicken wings anytime you buy something. I got the free wings, it was good, but very spicy, I never expected it to be that spicy, so I ordered a bottle of water. After drinking three bottles of water because of how spicy the chicken wings were, I went to the cashier to pay and realised that a bottle of water is $1 more in the food store.i laughed again and realised that this is their game, they didn’t really give free wings, because they have indirectly taken the money from the things you bought in the store. Nothing is free in Freetown was what I mouthed when I was leaving the food store. Now that I am a graduate and I am in the outside world working and hustling for my money, I have seen just how things play out in the real world. When it comes to business and free stuff, dont fully trust it. If they dont take their reward today, they will take it later in the future and it will be compounded, to make up for the free stuff they gave out. Always be mindful of free stuff, some people get overwhelmed by it most times. get used to it and end up being loyal because they are exchanging their loyalty for the freebies, but then get surprised when they get disappointed.
