A trip to the grocery store can be an expensive undertaking. However, hidden among the priced items are several free goods and services that most shoppers have no idea exist. These freebies are not always advertised. They are often available only to the customers who are savvy enough to ask for them. By taking advantage of these 10 surprising free items, you can make your next shopping trip a little more rewarding and a lot more fun.
1. A “Smash Cake” for a Baby’s First Birthday
Many large grocery store bakeries, including the one at Publix, have a wonderful but little-known policy. If you buy a regular-sized cake for your baby’s first birthday party, they will give you a small, individual-sized “smash cake” for the baby to enjoy, completely free of charge. You just have to ask the bakery staff when you place your order.
2. Free Fruit for Your Kids
To promote healthy eating and to keep children happy while their parents shop, a number of grocery chains have a “free fruit for kids” program. You will often see a basket of free bananas or oranges near the entrance of the store. This is a great and healthy way to keep your kids entertained and to avoid them begging for a sugary treat.
3. Samples from the Deli and the Bakery
If you are not sure which kind of deli meat or cheese you want to buy, you should never hesitate to ask for a free sample. The employees at a full-service deli or bakery counter will almost always be happy to give you a small taste of a product before you commit to buying it. This is a great “try before you buy” service that can save you from wasting money on a product you do not like.
4. Free Boxes for Moving
If you are planning a move, the grocery store is the best place to find free, sturdy boxes. The store has to deal with a huge number of cardboard boxes from its daily shipments. You can just ask an employee in the produce department or a store manager if they have any empty boxes that you can take. They will almost always be happy to give them to you for free.
5. Free Water
If you are feeling thirsty while you are shopping, you do not have to buy an expensive bottle of water. You can go to the soda fountain at the deli or the food court and ask for a small cup for water. They will almost always give you one for free. It is a simple but effective way to stay hydrated while you are in the store.
6. Having Your Meat Tenderized or Ground
The butcher at a full-service meat counter can provide a number of free services that many shoppers are not aware of. If you buy a tougher cut of steak, you can ask the butcher to run it through their mechanical tenderizer for you. They will also often be willing to take a cut of beef, like a chuck roast, and grind it into fresh ground beef for you at no extra charge.
7. Having Your Seafood Prepared
The seafood counter can also offer several free services. A good fishmonger will be happy to peel and devein your shrimp for you. They can also remove the skin from your fish fillets. This can save you a huge amount of time and effort when you get home, and it is a service that they will almost always provide for free if you ask.
8. Free Air for Your Tires
While many gas stations now charge for air, the air pump at a grocery store gas station is often still free to use. Many large chains, like Kroger, offer free air as a perk for their customers. This can be a very convenient and money-saving service, especially if your car’s tire pressure light has just come on.
9. A Free Cookie for Your Kids
The bakery department is often a source of another great freebie for kids. Many stores have a policy of giving a free cookie to any child who asks for one. This is a classic and beloved tradition that can make a long and boring shopping trip a lot more fun for a young child. It is a simple gesture that builds a lot of goodwill with families.
10. Free Wi-Fi
Most large grocery chains now offer free, public Wi-Fi in their stores. This can be a very valuable service if you are trying to look up a recipe or to access your digital coupons, and your cell service is weak inside the large building. It is a modern convenience that many shoppers now take for granted, but it is a valuable free service nonetheless.
The Hidden Perks of Shopping
A grocery store is more than just a place to buy food; it is a service-oriented business that is competing for your loyalty. These small but valuable freebies are a part of that effort. They are a way to make your shopping experience a little more pleasant, a little more convenient, and a little more rewarding. By being a savvy and informed shopper who is not afraid to ask, you can take advantage of all the hidden perks your local store has to offer.
What is the best freebie you have ever gotten at a grocery store? Do you know of any other secret free items that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
What to Read Next
- 7 Times “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” Ended Up Costing You Extra
- 6 Places Where Costco No Longer Offers Free Samples
- 10 Things That Were Free in the ’80s But Cost a Fortune Now
- 10 Freebies for National Donut Day (June 6)
- Free Food Coupons: 8 Rules Every Frugal Shopper Swears By
The post 10 Surprising Items You Can Get for Free at the Grocery Store appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
