Why are Some People Afraid of the Word Free?

Have you ever come across one of those advertisements for something free?  What do you normally do, go for it?  Run the other way? or think about it until you are blue in the face and then the free offer expires right in front of you?

What amazes me is how afraid some people are of free stuff.  You know, that free sample in the supermarket, or that free report from Social Media Monthly or even that free car wash at the gas station.   The best one of all is an offer for a free account on an online shopping site where you can earn cash back.  Yes, a free account on a website where you can make money for shopping online.   Some responses where, "I am not sure I want to earn cash back for shopping online" or "what is the catch?".  Really?  Is it a trust thing or is there nothing upstairs?  This one is legitimate.

Perhaps we are in a world where some people of tentative of taking the bait of free stuff thinking there is a catch or it will lead to pressure to purchase something.  In some respects, they are right.  Am example are those Robert Kiyosaki Rich Dad Poor Dad free seminars.  Be careful of those.  I have gone to a few of them, and every time they lead to a three day training that they pressure you to purchase.  In the middle of the session, they ask the people that will be attending the training to go to the back of the room to get their prize while the "cheapskates" stay seated in the seminar room.  Ok, in this case, I can see why some people are tentative of free stuff.  

My suggestion is to do your homework and research the company that offers free stuff whether it is a class, a social media competitive analysis for your business, or that free coffee with a purchase of a donut.  Check out the company with the Better Business Bureau and note if there were any complaints specific with any free offerings.  Knowledge is power and builds trust in a company.   Always think of the value of the offering for yourself or your business and always remember, nothing in the world is free.   Maybe this is why some people are afraid of the world free.