Hi Curious.

How are you doing???
I know about the samples link. I don't click on that link.
I go to Contact Us, then I simply ask for a free coupon.

That free coupon will get me a FULL SIZED version of that product. And they love hearing from consumers, getting praise for the product.

To give you a further example, my husband pops popcorn every single night. He buys any kind that is on sale. the unpopped kernels. He throws them in our electric popcorn air popper and he goes to town (I can't eat popcorn because of my diabetes, and lord knows how much I would eat, because it's a trigger so I don't go near the stuff).

Anyway, around here you get a bag (or a plastic bottle of popcorn) for $1.99.

So I wrote to Jolly Time and explained that my husband loves popcorn and pops it every single night and could they please send me a free coupon.

I just got an email from them thanking me and they are delighted that my husband likes their popcorn and in a few weeks I'LL BE GETTING A PACKAGE!!!

The last time I got a package of a product was over 20 years ago when I wrote to the Ronzoni people because I had bought some of their grated cheese (they sold grated cheese at the time), and it was green in the bottle. So I wrote them and asked for my money back. Maybe I paid $1.79 for the little bottle of grated cheese.

They wrote me back this whole explanation of how they would love to replace the bottle but it's against the health law to send any bottles of grated cheese in the mail so would I mind if they send me some pasta instead.

Two days later, my doorbell rang and there was this huge box with 25 pounds of spaghetti, macaroni. We ate pasta for quite a while.

So fast forward to now and I'm not even complaining about a product. I'm simply telling them I love the product.

I think this is so much fun. And between growing my sprouts and going to the mailbox to see what's going to be showing up, (this should really be moving in about 2 weeks). I'm surprised I got the Olivio coupons only 3 days after I emailed them. They must have SOME customer service department.

Oh, guess what else I just found out this morning.

I went to my local bakery to buy a package of breadcrumbs. Now when you go to the store and buy breakcrumbs (4C, Progresso, WHATEVER THE BRAND), well, I would by a container and put it in the cabinet. I pay $2.50 for a container.

Well, I happen to live in Bensonhurst, near one of the most famous bakeries in Brooklyn. ALBA, which just merged with VILLABATE. To try and describe the lines that go around the corner during the holidays, well just try and imagine.

So I go in there this morning to buy a package of fresh breadcrumbs. They cost $.75 a package. Because of the holidays, there's this huge sign that says 4 packages of breadcrumbs for $2.00. I did the math and said "oh, that's a good deal". So I thought I would buy 4. I ask the lady behind the counter "I can put this in my plastic bowl and put it in the refrigerator and it will keep, right?"

She says "in the refrigerator?? Everyone we know keeps them in the freezer". I looked at her. I said "you can keep breadcrumbs in the freezer??" She then said "ask anyone in back of you on the line". I turn around and all the Italian ladies in my neighborhood were chuckling and saying "Of course, we keep our breadcrumbs in the freezer, they don't freeze, they keep forever and when you need them, you just take them out, and put back the package".

I just stood there dumfounded. I had never known this. Then the lady next to me said "you know you can keep coffee in the freezer, right?" and the lightbulb went off. I keep my fresh roasted coffee in my freezer. I said 'Oh, it's like the coffee?? It doesn't freeze!!" They all just smiled.

Melody then bought 8 bags of breadcrumbs for $4.00. 7 are now in my freezer and one is in m fridge to be used when I need it this week.

See, we all learned something today!!

lol