Thursday, March 31, 2011

I Wonder: : "Will You Purchase Sample-sized Products?"

I know, the title of my I Wonder post sounds a bit queer, why would you purchase "samples" right?  Well read on!  I do have something to say! 

Happy Thursday by the way!  It'll be a busy day today and actually, it was a super busy week and I hope I can get a breather on the latter part of the week!

The reason why I have this "I Wonder" question is because I was fixing my stuffs for a make-up gig when I went through a tiny drawer I fondly call..."The Samples".  In those tiny shelves you will find samples after samples of different brands, from skincare, cosmetics and event scents!

It got me thinking, these tiny samples are the real Enablers...the real Igniters!

Here are just few of the products I repurchased (in Full size) when I tried their samples....]

The Clinique 3-Step Skincare System


Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil

Tri-Aktiline Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler

 Mineral Foundation 
(Ex. Ellana, Everyday Minerals, etc..)
 

Shu Uemura Sheer Loose Powder


Paul & Joe Protective Foundation Primer UV

Pleasures
Gucci Envy Me (not on photo)
Carolina Herrera 212 (not on photo)

Saving up for...
La Mer The Eye Balm Intense


And a whole lot more!!! I still have a lot of samples to try!


I understand that not EVERY company would be willing to give out sample sizes of their products to everyone passing by their counter, I am actually proposing companies to sell sample sizes at a fair amount. (repeat: Fair Amount). Imagine those "skincare sachets" sold for Php10.00 (approx $0.20)?   I don't mind as consumers get to test the product (especially skincare) and won't feel bad on wasting a lot of money if the product does not work for them!  The bonus for companies?  Consumers can be more adventurous in trying out different brands and who knows?  May end up liking a specific product and will end up repurchasing in Full size! That's a win-win situation!
That's my opinion, don't shoot me! :P
  I Wonder ---
"Will You Purchase Sample-sized Products just like I will?"

Keep smilin'
Stay happy!



46 comments :

  1. I WILL!! can i buy yours?? i like ur samples in ur pics! >:)))

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  2. I got a lot of korean-cosme sample size product =) love it~

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  3. That's a great idea. Back when I was working in the office, I prefer to load my kikay kit with sample sizes for me to carry a lighter load, so to speak. And yes, it's the perfect way for companies to reel in potential customers. I used to buy samples online to check if the color/shade/chemicals would suit me, but now, I do it all the time---it's actually cheaper. LOL! Imagine getting Black Honey for ~200 pesos. Yes, it's smaller, but calculating the weight per buck shows how good the deal is.

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  4. yes I definitely would buy sample sizes, I very rarely finish a product so getting it in a sample size would help me save money and use my products more. :)

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  5. I just did! Sasa has all these little sample products of really high end brands. i bought two (Clarins beauty flash balm and Shu cleansing oil) which is great because I get to try stuff for much cheaper. The amount in these samples is enough for me to really road test the product, so I think it's worth it :D

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  6. I don't know about purchasing the foil samples mostly because often with skincare, you don't see any improvement after at least several applications (or breakouts may not happen with the first application for example), and with those foil samples even though there's a lot of product in it, the lack of ability to CLOSE it is a pain. then i feel it's unhygenic to use again, or it dries out...

    i like the "deluxe" samples, and i prefer to still get them for free after, say, I buy something from the brand. What i think they SHOULD sell though, is "travel" size products. if they can keep a travel size product to be under $15 and enough for say, 2 week long application, i would love to purchase these to give a try.

    Or like in Japan, they have these Sample or Travel SETS. even better than just a travel size of a single item, having a full set for purchase is the BEST way to try a product. Even the FANCL travel set with a ton of stuff in it was under 2000yen at the local Lawson's.

    Companies should AVOID putting their deluxe samples into these travel sets and trying to pass them as "travel sized" however, to cut down on price. That'll just look cheap on their part, and make me NOT want to purchase the set even if it's only $15, because I feel like I could get those deluxe samples for free.

    what i noticed is that often times there are "sets" on sale, but the price of these are usually pretty high still, despite it supposed to be a travel set. I'm willing to spend $15-20 on a set of three skincare items that I may end up tossing after one use due to breakout. I'm NOT willing to even RISK $35 on a set of "travel sized items" that i may end up tossing!

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  7. i agree with 김혜린, i got loads of sample sachets from skin food, the face shop, and my online seller suki kkochipida @multiply or fb. at least i don't get stuck with a full sized product and then not like it after i've tried it out.
    sure i'd pay for samples so long as it isn't an itsy-bitsy sized one dapat free na kung ganon :P

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  8. i will! because it is better to test a product first before purchasing the full sizes!! and besides, samplers are very useful when travelling...but still, how do you get it for free? of course, better if it's for free, hehehe....

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  9. I will :) sample-sized products are necessity and convenient to carry along on ur kikay kit instead of bringing the big bottles. Its also easier on the budget.

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  10. Sample sizes are great especially for us cosmetic consumers. I don't mind paying for them if I know they are sealed, untouched and a bonus if given in good amounts. Stores like Sephora are very liberal with samples but they are often pumped or scraped from store testers that are handled by the masses. I don't mind if it is perfume but when it is a foundation or creme product, forget it. I will just buy, use it at home to try, and if does not live up to my expectation I will return. This guarantees safety for me.

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  11. Yes! I think popularizing sample sizes would be good. Companies, (especially skin care) should come up with sample size pouches or bottles. I think a lot of people would like that. =)

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  12. actually i do!
    i like it when i can buy sample sizes to see if it would really work first before shelling out a big amount of money.

    i also agree with tps that sample sizes are also good in throwing in to your kikay kit.my kikay kit will never be complete without the sample size of shu cleansing oils. i just can't imagine bring a big bottle with me.
    >_<

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  13. I think this is a very good idea. I've had experiences wherein I end up throwing an entire jar of cream away...the day after I've used it.

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  14. Yes and yes! i love samples!! ^_^

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  15. YES! It would really be better if they would sell sample sizes so consumers can try their products without having to worry that it might not work for them and they have the full size of it. I wonder why it's so hard to get samples here in the PI when in fact, it's so easy to ask for samples in the US. But of course, if they decide to sell samples, the price has to be reasonable.

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  16. My answer is a big big YES! It's nice to get them free, yes, but if I were able to choose what samples I'd like to get, I really wouldn't mind paying for them! As long as they are reasonably priced, with packaging and amount of product taken into consideration. :) And speaking of packaging, while I like the convenience of travel-sized products, they should either be reusable or recyclable... can you imagine the amount of trash an entire barangay would produce if they all used products in plastic sachets for a week? :s I think that's the only thing stopping me from buying samples.

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  17. YES! My mom and I used to swear by the Clinique Moisture Surge line, but when we tried the Shiseido Moisture Recharge sample, it was absolutely heavenly and we had to buy it. So after we're done with our jar of Moisture Surge, we're switching over to Shiseido. It's amazing how samples can immediately show results. Although I did hear that companies usually make their samples better than their actual full-size products, so that people will buy them, not sure if this is true though, but I love samples nonetheless. :) And it actually shows how Filipinos rely so much on sachets too! :)

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  18. a good point! lately many have been giving away samples,like khiel's and laneige,the rest should give sample too..or maybe sell them for P10! great great!!

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  19. I actually will! Hehe! I've been a victim of buying full sized beauty products, but eventually have to stop using them because they don't react well on my skin. :-( How I wish companies will start selling sample sized cosmetics. And you're right, people will surely be more adventurous in trying out beauty products if sample sizes are available. :D

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  20. I will Nikki, I think you should have a blogsale soon. I'm sure a lot of your readers will be very happy. :)

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  21. i will no buy sample sized products. since it's a SAMPLE. it should have been free of charge. i don't agree with selling any either. but it's just me. :)

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  22. YES!!!! I;m still on the hunt for the right combo of cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, and right now, let's just say I have been using facial wash in lieu of body wash because it's such a waste to leave the full-sized tube sitting on the bathroom counter unused because it has given me chin pimples when used on my face LOL.

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  23. I'm really bad when it comes to sample buying things. :))

    I always opt for the full size immediately cause the environment thing. =))

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  24. nikki; where did u get all these cute samples??it certainly help ppl like me who love to try new cosmetics!

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  25. I think only here in our country lang, kuripot magbigay ng mga samples plus you can't return that products you buoght when it doesnt work for you.

    In Canada, even Nars cosmetics they give samples sa mga malls dun even if you dont buy an item from them.

    Got so many samples of make ups and facial products from US too even the brushes of make ups samples pa rin. =)

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  26. I think only here in our country lang, kuripot magbigay ng mga samples plus you can't return that products you buoght when it doesnt work for you.

    In Canada, even Nars cosmetics they give samples sa mga malls dun even if you dont buy an item from them.

    Got so many samples of make ups and facial products from US too even the brushes of make ups samples pa rin. =)

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  27. I totally agree with you Nikki, but in here, Indonesia, we don't find any local brands that offer samples, maybe because they think their products are affordable enough.
    But for online, I often buy samples, originally from the brand or from the seller who delightfully sell products for share, such as bb creams, face mask, skincare, foundation, basically almost everything ^^ and I love buy samples. it's cheaper and great way to testing the product before you buy full sizes

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  28. I always go for sample sizes first before I get right in to buying the full sizes. This way I don't regret what I spent it if I realize I'm not 'hiyang' with the product. :)

    And I think some companies should give free sample sizes din, but those in very small amounts lang talaga like Skin Food. Their sample sizes are good for one use lang, which is enough for us to know if we have adverse reactions or not...

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  29. I think that's a fab idea. Samples give you an opportunity to see how a product works for you without spending a lot of money so if the price was right and fair, I'd definitely buy them.

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  30. I ALWAYS go for sample sized products first before purchasing the whole thing. I'm a afraid that a product won't work for me and would just go to waste. I alwasy test test test. and I do like the product I just repurchase the big bottle.

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  31. i seriously hate how some high end brands don't give sample sizes of their products because sometimes we as consumers end up buying and junking the same since they might not work for us. :/ i wouldn't mind buying samples as i do anyway online hahahaha! =)

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  32. Eh... If it's a really expensive product I wouldn't mind, but for the most part I'm not a huge fan of samples

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  33. Christine! LOL you are funny and cute! I am not comfortable selling samples though! hahahhaha

    Hye Rin, same here! I got loads when I visited Korea and I am so excited to try especially the BB Creams :)

    TPS, I know, I carry around samples too during travel! It makes packing for travel a whole lot easier! I don't mind buying samples as long as they are priced really fairly! :)

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  34. Justine, agree, I don't mind spending a little to know if a product works for me before I purchase full size. Of course if a company can give free samples, why not? But of course, this is another alternative for those companies who can't! :)

    Krys, I love SASA and I love buying samples at Bonjour HK too! I found out Shiseido to really work on the brightening department when I purchased a sample set on their brightening line!

    Kai, Foil samples, I agree, its not much of a product and it should come in really cheap! I don't mind purchasing samples that are in plastic tubs, because even the tiny stuff can last for 2-3 weeks! I agree on them selling "TRAVEL SIZED" packaging on EVERYTHING! Like Burt's Bees, Kiehl's, L'occitaine etc...!!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this issue! Appreciate it!

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  35. Marge, same as you, I get to try a lot of different Korean brands and I can choose which one works for me just base on texture, feel and its scent!

    Issa, of course everyone would vote for free! hahahah If I can get them all for free why not di ba? hehehehe

    Giay, thanks for sharing! I agree with you!

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  36. brownishgray , ahhh I know what you mean about store testers, I seldom use them because they don't look hygienic enough! I wish we have that concept of returning stuffs that doesn't work for you like that in Sephora...the thing here, you end up with the product you don't want or if you're lucky, you can gift it to your friends or sell them!

    angelamhiere, I think so too! For makeup, I can be ok for those tiny samples but for skin care, I would like the "travel sized" products inside a cute pouch that I can purchase to test! I did purchase one from Burt's Bees, though it worked for me, I find the "Cabbage Toner" isn't something I would want because of the scent!

    Thia, agree! thanks for sharing! I would never carry along with me a full sized skin care product especially when I travel, you have to kill me before I do so :)

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  37. Skysenshi, I know! I've purchased a couple of full sized products which I ended up giving to my friends instead because it just wont' work for me!

    JYL, hahahah thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    Pammy, I agree with you, eventhough I purchase a lot from the store, I would literally have to thicken my face and ASK for samples on their other product lines! Aren't they supposed to "happily" give it to you so that you can return and try their other lines? I came back from Seoul with loads of samples and I found myself wanting to repurchase a lot of them! They even give out facial masks and I would go back and buy a whole bunch of them!

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  38. Kari, ahhh, I know! I have to always ask for the SA for samples of a certain line I would want to try, and when they say they don't have it, then I won't ever want to purchase that product anymore! What will I do if I end up with 200ml of something that doesn't work for me?

    Elaine, ay! Good example! Me, I tried the samples of Clinique and I can't believe it worked for me after a week and I had to go back to purchase the BIGGEST size! It's actually a good marketing strategy! I don't actually see why most companies can't trim down on their advertising costs and concentrate more on giving out samples!

    laneige couture , I agree on selling them for Php10.00! Just imagine Hong Kong, they sell samples (but not that of a reasonable price, some are overpriced) but I was able to check that my skin works with Shiseido because I tried a sample of it!

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  39. Angela, that's why I like the idea of Pond's! Even L'Oreal hair stuffs, they sell them in sample sized foil pack that's not too tiny!

    Charry, hahahahhaha I know! But I'm not comfortable selling them because I got them for free upon purchase or some are gifted to me, it wont' be right hehehe

    Jojoba, well you are lucky if you get SAMPLES for free, down here Jojoba, its just a pain!

    Kikayfez, I agree with you, I am sure a lot of our readers share the same sentiments as you! There are a lot of readers who are still wondering for products that works for them but end up purchasing inexpensive ones because they are afraid to spend a bit more if the product won't work for them! I am sure many of us would be willing to save up no matter how expensive a skincare line is as long as it was proven to WORK!

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  40. Michelle, Ahhh that's another nice angle for the argument, true, samples do use up more raw materials for packaging!

    neverbereplaced, usually got them from friends who get samples when they purchase stuffs, some were given to me when I purchase from the stores and I ended up storing them all in one area which turned out to be shown in the photo of this blog entry :)

    Baya, hahahha AGREE!!!!
    Poo, ahhhhh, well if products are affordable, I don't mind them not giving out samples! I think those that are priced really high especially skincare should give out samples! For makeup, alright, testers are find! But for skincare, there are a lot of allergic reactions or stuffs that people want to "test" it out not just once but for at least a week!

    Yen, agree! Most Korean products do give out sample sizes, I hope most companies will follow this!

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  41. Gio, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

    Hollie, that's a nice way for you to save up too! Thanks for sharing

    Traciethediva, ahhh that's nice to know! There are some people who found out they are allergic to a certain product base on samples and imagine how relieved they are?

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  42. Sugar Sugar, well true, come to think of it pa...if the product you purchased (full size) from one high end brand didn't work for you, you'll end up swearing off the brand overall! That's one customer lost! I hope companies read this post :D hahaha

    cjx3pooh , agree on the expensive part! :)

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  43. If the sample sizes on sale were a resaonable price then yes I would buy them. I understand that brands can't give out stuff to everyone like you said but if you go up to a counter and the MUA or Therapist is using different stuff on your the least they could do is offer you the chance to buy smaller versions of the products or decant skincare products into little jars for a small fee.

    I'm sure we've all spent loads of money on stuff that we didn't like!

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  44. Skin products are not cheap and it's really sad when you shell out thousands and turns out it doesn't work for you. Normally, I'd just buy 1 from the brand with the friendliest SA and if it works, I'd try another from the same line. If it doesn't, I assume the brand doesn't work for my skin and never go back.(too expensive to take a risk again) It's hard to tell what works when all you have is the SA telling you what it's for and testing it on your hand. Sample sizes would work for most of us who are hesitant to buy the entire skincare line because of its price and size. If it works, then there's more chances of one purchasing the entire line in full sizes. I'm willing to purchase sample sizes as long as they're priced reasonably. Much better so I can try products from different brands and find something that really works for me.

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  45. hi, would you know if i can get samples fr th skin care booths in rustans? and how about mac, laura mercier here? would you know if they give out samples as well?

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  46. definitely will for test runs knowing not all stores accept returns. :-)

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I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to comment your questions, suggestions and just anything you may want to say! Keep smiling and stay happy!