I can't answer this, and I am sorry I called you a sucker. From what I have seen on the boards our not a sucker, and in fact a smart guy.
Everybody likes free shwag, can't blame you there. My point was nothing is free. Just because they are giving away free samples doesn't mean they are free. The cost is either written off, and less taxes go into the system, or, they are adding in the cost to their 4700$ bottle price tag. Nothing is free, everything has a cost.
I really don't understand this product. Yes it's micronized, and quickly absorbed. However, does anybody in the history of their grow career's remember a time where they needed emergency silica? Silica that had to be up-taken right away? Maybe in hydro systems, I can see that. Not in soil, especially in outdoor plants grown in soil. If you need emergency silica, then your nutrient regimen is suspect.
As far as giving out free samples go.....You guys realize its marketing right? Every company does it right? Ever been to a Max Yield Hydro Show? I fill my truck to the brim with free shwag from those events. It's standard practice in the cannabis community. Nothing special about it. They are not doing it for fun, they are doing it to get the name of the product out to the market. The more people that recognize the bottle, the more people will buy. Doesn't matter if it works or not, people gotta have the new craze/hype. Lets not get carried away and start calling these people Robin Hood.
For the record, I am not saying giving out fee shwag is bad either. It just doesn't change my opinion on a product. In fact, I pay huge bucks for my fertilizer regimen, and wish they gave out free samples.
I know exactly what it is. Until I got sick, that's all I did was run business for people. I quit & started 3 of my own & sold them all. I've consulted for towns with budget problems, or business' that are failing.
Advertising $ don't work the same for everyone. I see other TV shows advertised when I watch TV. Because they can obviously catch someone who is interested in watching TV. Commercials aren't going to work for an item like this. Paper media is difficult as well. It's like I said, if you are going to sell a product that is significantly more expensive than other
so called similar products (I'm reserving my judgement to try it) in a market where so many people already have a
similar product they like, it's the smartest way to spend their advertising budget. What better way to get you to become a repeat buyer than saying, "Here, take this bottle home & try it. We are pretty sure you will like it, you know where to find us to get more." It says they are confident in their product, & they are willing to let you try it to prove itself.
If their product is good, there is no better way than to get it into the hands of people. It's partially the touch mechanics. If you touch a product, your chances of buying that product increase by 50%. This is why when you walk through the mall people are always trying to get you to try stuff out/on. Costco gives you free samples throughout the store. At stores they spray you with (try anyway) cologne, then put the box on the counter, or try to hand it to you. The purpose of dressing rooms is not solely to check the fit. They
want you to try it on. It's called product in hand...which = 50% more likely to buy. It's not a gimmick, it's proven sales technique.
Tax dollars? Anyone who owns their own small business >$500,000 gross, will tell you they get absolutely hammered in taxes. So they find ways to make their taxable income as low as possible. Just like we all do. I live on the NH border where cigarettes (I don't smoke, I'm just observant) are $6 a pack, or thereabouts. In MA, they are almost $11. So all the smokers buy their cigs in NH. NH also doesn't have sales tax, so everyone goes to NH to buy big money stuff.
That's why I say, save judgement for the product itself. What they are doing from a business standpoint, is exactly what I would be doing. I can't think of a more effective way to spend their advertising $. Also, they are sticking their neck out by sending stuff out like that. Because if it's garbage, & you are showing it to everyone before they even buy? You failed from the start. So they are pretty confident in their product, I like their marketing plan. If it works noticeably better, I just might spring for it.
As I said, it might be just 'eh, but I guess we'll see.
