What's Still Free?

[Pomai]

The other day I had to fill my car's tires with air, when, after finding out my regular service station's compressors were out of order, drove up King street to an alternative service station.

Come to find out, unlike my regular self-serve service station who charges 50 cents for air (or water) via coin op', this alternative service station (still) offers air for free! Well, hey, air (and water) in its natural state should be free, but when mechanically compressed or supplied, of course there's an expense, which most service stations now pass on to the consumer. Used to be, all the service stations offered compressed air and water (for coolant) free, but not in this day and age. Not that 50 cents dents my wallet, but of course finding a competitor offering the same service FREE was nice!

Probably the most newsworthy current issue related to this subject are commercial airlines jumping on the 1st or 2nd baggage fee. No longer is bringing your personal effects on your travels "free".

Soon there might be coin-op machines at the entrance of business' restrooms. I can see that, as there's a major upkeep cost for maintaining (cleaning) a restroom, especially when the public can easily access it. There may be laws which prevent that (access fees), though.

So the question here simply is: What FREE products and/or services (or perks or comps) are businesses you frequent currently (or still) offering? And, is that an incentive for you to continue patronizing those establishments?

Does McDonald's still offer free coffee refills? I think that's what started the whole retirement class to hang out there.

[Walkoff Balk]

Re: What's Still Free?

Condiments at fast food restaurants.
Condoms at Health Clinics?

[Pomai]

Re: What's Still Free?

Condiments at fast food restaurants.

Not some Jack in the Box locations, like those in Waikiki. Especially if you ask for Buttermilk dressing (for the onion rings!). Those costs 25 cents each. But worth it!

The trick to skip the condiment fee is to ask (very politely) when you pick up your order (after paying).

[leashlaws]

Re: What's Still Free?

shipping and returns from Shoes.com

[Seeking Penance]

Re: What's Still Free?

shipping and returns from Shoes.com

thanks for the site reference leashlaws - now i can shop for shoes on line and not have to wait in line at the store

mahalo

[leashlaws]

Re: What's Still Free?

thanks for the site reference leashlaws - now i can shop for shoes on line and not have to wait in line at the store

mahalo

You're welcome! And no tax! They always have saturday sales they
email about too.

[salmoned]

Re: What's Still Free?

I pump my tires with a hand pump - not exactly free, but always available.

[timkona]

Re: What's Still Free?

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union always has a table of free stuff. Coffee, pastries, cookies, punch, water, shopping bags....one or all of these on a regular basis.

Costco always has a buffet for sampling. Quick lunch if you are that cheap.

The massage parlor's down Waikiki always have free condoms. Though I will never understand why you need a condom to get a massage.

[Seeking Penance]

Re: What's Still Free?

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union always has a table of free stuff. Coffee, pastries, cookies, punch, water, shopping bags....one or all of these on a regular basis.

ooooohhh I am always up for freebies - i'm in the less fortunate category

Costco always has a buffet for sampling. Quick lunch if you are that cheap.

that is always a deal

The massage parlor's down Waikiki always have free condoms. Though I will never understand why you need a condom to get a massage.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[Amati]

Re: What's Still Free?

No product is actually "free", the cost is just absorbed elsewhere. You pay for the "free" burger condiments elsewhere in the fast food charges; you pay for the "free" water and air at gas stations in the cost of gas, or soft drinks inside the store. The "free" food at Costco's food demo's is paid for by the manufacturer and passed on to you when you buy the product.

Even "free" things like blood pressure checks at the fire station, and library books, and other government freebies, are paid for through tax dollars.

What is free? The air, the wind, the sea, rainbows, snow atop Mauna Kea, waterfalls. Nature is free. Everything else has a price tag. Someone is paying for it.

[Walkoff Balk]

Re: What's Still Free?

Honolulu Weekly is free while the Advertiser goes up to 75 cents.

[Amati]

Re: What's Still Free?

My opinion is free, and worth that much, too!

[Walkoff Balk]

Re: What's Still Free?

Junkmail or Politicians' mail-outs.

[TuNnL]

Re: What's Still Free?

Not some Jack in the Box locations, like those in Waikiki. Especially if you ask for Buttermilk dressing (for the onion rings!). Those costs 25 cents each. But worth it!

The trick to skip the condiment fee is to ask (very politely) when you pick up your order (after paying).

That usually works at most Jack-in-the Cracks, but the one on McCully street will still make you cough up a quarter, no matter what.

[mel]

Re: What's Still Free?

Plenty of stuff online still free (if you don't count the monthly fee you have to pay for access, though if you know where to go even that can be free with wifi).

1. Free email: Google Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, AOL mail, etc.

2. Free websites: Many services where you can create your own website for free and many more where you can view content for free (such as this one).

3. Free Music: Yes, legitimate free music is out there if you know where to look. The exciting new TheSixtyOne.com has tons of free songs to download for free. Amazon.com gives away a number of free songs every week. Even iTunes gives away a new free song as well as videos every week. Plus countless numbers of free streaming sites.

4. Podcasts: Thousands of them available for listening and download for FREE.

5. Free Blogs: Yes you can read nearly all blogs for free and create your own on leading services such as WordPress and Blogspot for FREE.

6. Free image hosting at various sites such as Flickr, BuzzNet, Photobucket, and dozens of others.

7. Free software: And yes there are tons of free software out there ranging from word processors, web browsers to complete operating systems. They vary in quality and complexity, but we are talking about "free" here, so you can't be choosy. Don't expect free Windows XP or Vista or free Mac OSX.

OK, I think I covered most of the major online freebies.

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