Find Free Office Supplies Online: Where to Look

While there are many places to find free office supplies samples online, it's hard to locate one that doesn't ask for your arm and leg in return. Many sites may tout themselves as "freebie" sites, but the casual Internet user may want to exercise caution. Some of the sites are nothing more than giant information gathering operations. These will ask for your name, address, phone number and other pertinent information, to either sell you other products or to sell your name and email address to other companies such as SPAMmers who will then make money from your information. The other risk is that visiting such sites will infect your computer with tracking software.

One popular web site that I use is Mary's Freebies (www.marysfreebies.com). If you subscribe to the e-newsletter, occasional links to free items can be sent to you. The problem with this site is that they tend to also hyperlink to the questionable companies. When linking to an offer, if the company name doesn't immediately pop up, back out immediately. About half of the Mary's Freebies offers link directly to the company. Many of the Mary's Freebies offers include those that would be beneficial to businesses, and they often feature office supply companies.

Another good source for free office supply samples is Walmart's web site (www.walmart.com). Here you can subscribe to the "Walmart Wire" and have sample opportunities mailed directed to you. All of Walmart's hyperlinks take you directly to a known company, and there are times when Walmart dispenses the samples. Walmart's web site is a great place for personal samples, although they will also feature office supplies.

If you would like to go directly to the source, a great sample opportunity can be found with 3M's Post It Notes (http://solutions.3m.com/en_US/). For signing up, you can get free samples of Post It Notes and Flags. I've even received the full size free samples of Super-Sticky Notes when they were first launched. While the company is not now giving away free Post It Notes, it is extremely beneficial to get on their mailing list in case another opportunity comes up.

The people who make Avery Labels also gives out free samples and software. Register to receive the free software, and samples are randomly sent in the mail.

Paper Direct (www.paperdirect.com), a large custom paper company, will also send out free paper samples. It's very easy; all you have to do is sign up for their e-newsletter. Interested customers can shop from their online catalog, although I do notice that there is no online method of getting a free sample. In the past, a call to the company asking for the paper in question can get a sample sent to you.

National Pens also sends out free pen samples. You do have to call their 800 number (888.672.7370) to get your pen mailed to you.

Postcard Mania is a great site for getting free postcard samples. You can either give your information online, or you can call their 800 number (800.628.1804) to request your samples.

Print Pelican will also send a sample of their calendar, as well as the other products they make, including business cards, door hangers, bookmarks, etc.

I find that once you start getting on some company lists, the free office supply samples start coming on a regular basis. Although I have never bought anything from the company, I still get free calendars, pens and pencils from various companies. Remember that nothing is truly FREE. These companies are sending samples in good faith that you will later buy their products, or spread the word about what they make. Also remember that you are giving your personal information including email address out.