There are many things that I love about Poland, but there are also many others that irritate me to no end (post office – Poczta Polska is just one of them).
Another one of those things that get me really cranky are free samples that aren’t free.
But let’s start from the beginning.
I was looking for a small bottle of contact lens cleaner, small enough to take with me on the airplane. And I discovered that “travel size” in Poland means 120 ml, which of course is much too large. As I walked from one store to another seeing only 120 ml bottles everywhere, I was beginning to get discouraged. Until one helpful sales lady suggested that instead of a “travel size”, I’d have better luck asking for a “starter size” bottle.
I quickly returned to the store where just last week I had bought my contact lenses (with no “starter pack” at that) to see if they could help me. Sure they could. “Starter” bottles? Sure they had. “What brand?” I was asked. They had a choice of four. (I didn’t even know that many companies made contact lens solution!)
And just as I had been warned before, the “free” sample was anything but free in Poland. I was charged 14PLN for my “not for sale” bottle.
OK, I would expect this in Burkina Faso. Even in Brazil (with apologies to my Brazilian readers), or in Vladivostok (because well, we all know that things are done a little bit differently in Russia), but in Poland? I thought we were a civilized EU country now.
Out of curiosity (and because I had nothing better to do that day) I actually called to the company that made this particular brand and asked what the free sample deal was. And wouldn’t you know it? I was told this:
“If it says ‘free sample’ on the box that means the store got this product as a free sample to be given away as a free sample. Even in Poland.”
So, if a store is selling this “free” sample, it’s just 100% profit for the merchant. Then why do they even bother to list VAT (sales tax) on the receipt?
I guess this is one of those Polish mysteries that will never be solved.
Useful words:
- soczewki kontaktowe – contact lenses
- soczewka (fem., pl. soczewki) – lens
- miękkie (adj., plural non-personal) – soft
- twarde (adj., plural non-personal) – hard
- płyn do soczewek – contact lens solution
- okulary (noun, plural) – eyeglasses
PS. Regarding “travel size” bottles which in other countries are sold even with a plastic “airport regulation” baggie already inside the box, I was told by another manufacturer that “there is no market for this particular product in Poland.” Very odd indeed… What? Polish people don’t fly?
Comments:
Mchl:
People in general do not fly…
Ok.. bad joke 😛
Another interesting thing about ‘free samples’ in Poland is that there seems to be a large black/gray market for brand cosmetics’ samples. You can buy your favourite scent (or whatever) from a street stand at a fraction of what it would cost in the shop. Of course in a convenient 5ml ‘not for sale/resale’ container.
expateek:
Good grief. That’s just plain obnoxious! You ought to report the store back to the manufacturer. The manufacturers should be interested in this terrible brand publicity!
John:
I would have taken it back and reported the store!
russ:
This kind of casual cheat-the-system attitude reminds me of how many bars and pubs will serve you some miniature dish with a dozen peanuts when you order a beer, so that the bill can then say something like “beer 1 PLN; peanuts 5 PLN” so they can pay less taxes on alcohol (higher tax rate than food). Of course it’s a total lie, since if you then ask for another beer for 1 PLN without the peanuts, you will not get it…
sila:
anna,
i got curious!
what do you think happens in brazil?
btw, i have never seen free-samples beeing sold…
and this week i’m having my first trip to poland!
do zo
s.
Anna:
Hi Sila!
The time I was in Brazil I was charged for every “free sample” I came across. When I pointed it out to the sales person, she said that that’s how they make their money, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to break even. Actually, the same happened to me all over South and Central America, even in fancy contact lens shops – I don’t know, maybe that was the “foreigner treatment” I was getting?
Mchl,
oh yes, the old “perfume” scam. You can buy almost anything in sample sizes if you visit Polish markets, that’s for sure.
Russ,
your comment made me glad I don’t drink beer! 🙂
Expateek and John,
I really needed that small bottle, so I was ready to give in and not make a fuss.
daria:
Hi, I am from Poland and I have never heard of such thing before