The Most Valuable Free Item I've Ever Received
Many of us have encountered free with purchase offers that seemed too good to be true. However, rarely do they turn out as unexpectedly valuable as the items discussed below. These experiences highlight how seemingly insignificant or even faulty items can end up being immensely beneficial in the long run.
Free with Purchase: The Faulty DVD Player
A few years ago, when plasma TVs were starting to become more affordable, I seized the opportunity to buy a 32-inch Plasma TV for my kids' playroom. The TV seemed like a great deal at the time, coming in at around $400. But with the TV, I was also given a 7-inch portable DVD player as a so-called free accessory. In reality, the portable DVD player was free of charge as the same TV model was readily available without the additional item at a similar price from another store.
Less than a year after we bought the TV, a mandatory recall was issued due to a significant issue with the battery, posing the risk of the device catching fire or exploding. Despite having no visible issues with our unit, we decided to return it to the store. To our surprise, we received a full refund for the entire price of the TV, which was the original purchase! This incident not only stressed the importance of product safety but also underscored how a supposedly worthless free item ended up being a valuable and unexpected surprise.
Free with Purchase: The Electric Guitar
Another instance where a free with purchase item turned out to be surprisingly valuable was when I bought a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, driven by sheer necessity as it was the only one available in the Northwest and Alaska. Excited to bring home the car, I didn't even know its exact color or features until the dealer handed me a chit for an electric guitar. The chit, labeled as an accessory with the vehicle's VIN stamped on it, was an unexpected yet worthwhile reward.
Draped with 115,000 miles, the Jetta continues to be a reliable and fuel-efficient car, achieving more than 45 miles per gallon on poor days and up to 65 miles per gallon on exceptional ones. Notwithstanding, the guitar remains unplayed, gathering dust in the basement.
Free with Purchase: The Jar Opener
A wedding present included a food mixer, which came with something that looked like a peculiar pair of pliers. These pliers possessed a series of rings of different sizes, which would open up when the pliers were opened and closed up when the pliers were closed. Intriguingly, these rings were designed to fit over various sized jar lids. When the ring that fitted the specific jar size was closed around the lid, it would give a slight pinch that provided a firm grip. Holding the jar's bottom in the other hand and twisting the jar led to the stiffest lids easily coming off.
This jar opener proved to be a handy tool, with the food mixer lasting its designated lifetime. Even after more than three decades, the jar opener remains an invaluable kitchen accessory that has never been replaced or upstaged by another tool.
Lessons Learned
These experiences teach us that while free items may seem insignificant, they can often hold intrinsic value. It is essential to question and verify the safety and functionality of such items, especially when they are replacements or additional items to an already purchased product. Additionally, by keeping such valuable free items, we can enrich our lives and avoid the wastefulness associated with discarding gifts or accessories.