Freebies. Like em or hate em tell me why! Do you think they're good practice?

[FinalBlue]

So title basically says it. I'm curious about other people's feelings on freebie slings that are often thrown in large orders of T's. I've personally only gotten one freebie and it's also the T I hate most in my collection. They're an aggressive turd that will run backwards booty ready for hair flicking just because I am around. It's not a species I wanted for my collection but I have it now.

I know some places let you pick your freebie which to me seems like a better option instead since you can select/prepare for another. The other gripe I had was I had only planned for 3 additions not 4. One was doa and they threw in a container so I avoided a container incident but had I not had a container generously added I would have been short a container. The ones I ordered were 1/4 to 1/2 and the freebie was 1 inch. The doa container would have worked for a bit but I'd have to rehouse and like I said aggressive turd T so wasn't thrilled with that.

I don't want people to think I'm talking bad about where I sourced them though. I think they made an honest effort in adding to the collection and guessing most people are thrilled to unbox a mystery surprise but I wanted to ask.

 

[UtilityTurkey]

I love freebies. Both of my Albopilosums and one of my LPs were freebies. You can't go wrong with FREE.

 

[Liquifin]

Freebies have been a mix of good and bad for me. Most of the time, I give them away or sell them away because I don't want to add another T. albo, T. vagans, or A. avic to the collection while I already have or owned a lot of them. Some freebies are okay, but I question why another one? Getting really good freebies is rare once anyone's collection is at a higher number. I don't dislike freebies, but I always ask any seller to not include them if it's possible because I tell them I already have a life-time of T. albo's, A. avics, T. vagans. If they offer some unique or uncommon freebie, then I would be okay, but it's better to not ask for them once anyone has a larger collection unless you want them.

 

[moricollins]

Way back when, I received a bunch of great freebies... Came with buying from the same seller everytime
The freebies were often adults from his non-breeding collections... Ones that didn't have a positive id so weren't going to be sold.

When I sell isopods, if the order is sufficiently large I'll add in an extra culture (I always ask if the person wants one), or I'll add in a bunch of extras of what the person is already buying.

 

[Jess S]

I love freebies too and would be delighted to receive pretty much anything.

However, I totally get your point. Freebies and mystery boxes though loved by tons of collectors, sort of make tarantulas seem a bit disposable. You wouldn't go to buy a puppy or kitten and come home with a freebie!

I personally feel it's a nice touch on the behalf of the seller. But that's just me.

Though I have seen videos etc where people have received T's such as H macs or S calceatums. I don't personally feel those sp should ever be included as a freebie or mystery t.

 

[Colorado Ts]

In my opinion, freebies are a nice addition to an order. There’s always that little something something that's nice to pick up with an order.

So yeah...freebies are pretty good business practice.

 

[Alien_Regalis]

I've always loved freebies. Most of the time the freebie has been an extra of a species that I'm already ordering though I have had some surprises from time to time.

 

[WolvesInSpaceMarines]

I like them, but I think breeders should try to "match" them to the order. By that, I mean that if an order comes in with mostly NW terrestrials that are docile-ish, maybe don't throw in a couple OBTs and an H. mac, in case an unsuspecting beginner is ordering them. The converse could be true as well. If some one bought 20 pokies, a C lividus and other similar Ts, they might not be thankful for a free T. albo. That's my only thought. I wish I could get more freebies, especially of the more beginner terrestrials, but I get why many breeders either don't give freebies or have the buyers select them, for some of the reasons you gave above, as well as others.

Though I have seen videos etc where people have received T's such as H macs or S calceatums. I don't personally feel those sp should ever be included as a freebie or mystery t.

Yeah, that's my opinion on them. They're great for people who can handle them, but if I were to get one, I don't think they'd ever make it out of the vial before I sent them back.

 

[cold blood]

When i give freebies, i always discuss it with the buyer first, both to see if its wanted (its not always wanted) and also to discuss the freebie species (or options) to make sure its something they actually want....i would not just toss in an defensive species or an OW without bringing it up to them first, especially if they bought NWs.

Most welcome freebies, but there are certainly occassions where the buyer doesnt want an extra, or doesnt want what i have to offer as a freebie.

I think its always good for buyers to know whats coming, if for no other reason than they can be prepared housing-wise.

 

[WolvesInSpaceMarines]

When I sell isopods, if the order is sufficiently large I'll add in an extra culture (I always ask if the person wants one), or I'll add in a bunch of extras of what the person is already buying.

This is a complete tangent (and I'd be happy to continue in PMs rather than clog the thread), but how do you go about selling your extra isopods? I have about 15 billion springtails in one of my cultures, and I have no idea how to thin them down. I don't have dart frogs or anything else that can/will eat them.

 

[ColeopteraC]

When i give freebies, i always discuss it with the buyer first, both to see if its wanted (its not always wanted) and also to discuss the freebie species (or options) to make sure its something they actually want....i would not just toss in an defensive species or an OW without bringing it up to them first, especially if they bought NWs.

Most welcome freebies, but there are certainly occassions where the buyer doesnt want an extra, or doesnt want what i have to offer as a freebie.

I think its always good for buyers to know whats coming, if for no other reason than they can be prepared housing-wise.

That’s great, from experience freebies are fun little additions until you receive yet another Lasiodora sling. I kinda wish that you could choose what you don’t want, keeps the element of surprise but avoids any unwanted mishaps.

 

[WolvesInSpaceMarines]

They're an aggressive turd that will run backwards booty ready for hair flicking just because I am around. It's not a species I wanted for my collection but I have it now.

Just out of curiosity, what species is it?

 

[Arthroverts]

In my eyes, freebies can be the gifts that just keep on giving; I cannot tell you how much fun it is to have something extra like that to surprise a neophyte in the hobby with, and to see a mind=blown reaction from them.

If you don't want it, give it away or trade it with someone who will appreciate it. There are enough LP and Curly Hair lovers out there.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[Marika]

I don't really like surprise freebies. I don't want a huge collection and I'm picky, I also don't have much extra space, so I don't want a tarantula I haven't chosen myself. So far I've gotten one surprise freebie, a tiny Aphonopelma crinirufum sling and I'm ok with it, but I hope it's the only one I'll get. If the seller asks if I want a freebie or not (and what species), then it's ok.

 

[Arachnopets]

ADMIN NOTE:

Any posts naming sellers that offer freebies, WILL BE REMOVED. The purpose of this thread is to discuss how you feel about being offered and obtaining freebies, NOT who offers them.


The AB Team

 

[Vanessa]

I say Pay it Forward if you don't want your freebie.
I think they're a great idea as long as the seller does their due diligence to not go outside the buyers experience/comfort level.

 

[Reezelbeezelbug]

I'd rather get a % off the order than a freebie. Freebies aren't free because now I have to figure out housing a freebie through to an adult or try and sell/trade it away

 

[mjzheng]

Love the idea of freebies. Tom Moran video suggested always having an extra enclosure set up just in case 1.your spider is bigger/smaller than planned, 2. You receive a freebie. Every time I order online I make sure to have an extra small enclosure just in case, or a recycled and cleaned old sling enclosure

 

[PanzoN88]

I am indifferent as far as the subject of freebies is concerned. I do like the practice though, not many hobbies that incorporate freebies in sales. I never mentioned this to any sellers before, but if you are going to send me freebies, no need to ask, defeats the purpose of surprise freebies in the first place.

 

[Dorifto]

If you are an experienced keeper Yes, but if it happens to you like me with my first T, No. I bought a Pulcha and received a crazy C. Sanderi like a freebie... She bolted straight to my arm... Very nice first contact hahahahahaha