How to get free stuff

As I mentioned before here, I am a cheapskate when it comes to buying milk for Ruby. So when I first started supplementing the boob with formula, my main concern was the cost. How was I going to make expensive cow powder the same price as free human milk?

Here's how:

I called up Similac's office. Ring Ring

"Similac, this is Sherry, how can I help you?"

"Hi, I have a little baby, and I am really concerned with whether or not your formula stains will stain her clothes. I just really don't have the time to be scrubbing out a formula stain from her cute little pink onesies," I acted as concerned as I could--somehow forgetting to mention that I wear stained clothes all the time and could care less whether my baby has stains.

"Um, I don't actually know. I've never gotten that question before. Let me ask my manager."

I sat patiently listening to the sounds of elevator ringing in my ear. 

Five minutes later she came back, "You know what, I'm still not really sure."

"Oh, really? You don't even know? Well, I don't want to spend any money on a brand until I'm sure that it won't be staining the onesies," I acted serious and disgusted, yet calm.

"Well, here's what I can do," Sherry sounded like she was following orders from her Similac manager, "I can send you a free sample so that you can test it out for yourself."

I gave her my information and hung up the phone.

I hung up for only a minute because I had several other places to call: Enfamil, Parent's Choice, Gerber, Kirkland Signature, and some kind of all natural place that I forgot the name. 

Four out of the six sent fairly large samples.

As Ruby drank, I forgot to pay attention to whether it stained or not. oops! But at least I didn't have to worry about the cost!

Have you used any crazy techniques to get free stuff? Stories, please!

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