I’m going to go slightly off topic here, but the discussion does still involve food, so I thought it was still fitting. Trent, author of a personal finance blog I read, called The Simple Dollar, started a discussion yesterday that I wanted to continue here. He is writing a series on ethical frugality, and yesterday’s post focused on free samples.

To summarize the post, he posed the question: “Is it ethically right to partake in the samples offered by groceries, even if you have no intention of purchasing the sampled item?”. To take it a step farther, the discussion even extended that scenario to ask whether it is acceptable if the person sampling is entering the store only for the purpose of eating the samples (possibly even multiple visits to each station), and does not buy anything before leaving the store. If you would like his commentary, you can read his original post here.

I have a simple, but very passionate response to this question. I see absolutely no problem with sampling any, or all of the freebies handed out in the grocery, regardless of whether you have any intention of purchasing THAT item. I don’t even have a problem if someone decides to visit the same station for a second bite of something they really liked. These samples are distributed as an extremely cheap form of advertising, and it is expected that the majority of shoppers will not immediately purchase the item. I would even assume that, from the standpoint of the store, and the distributing company, the sampling would be considered a success even if no immediate sales were made, because they exposed hundreds of new shoppers to the item, who may then think of it in future purchases.

Having said that, I must say that I think it is ethically and morally reprehensible to enter the store solely for the purpose of eating those samples, and having no intention of making any purchases. Morality concerns personal traits and characteristics, and in this example, pertains to the dishonesty of the “shopper” in how he/she deceives the store, implying that he/she is a customer. Ethics stresses the importance of a social system, in which those morals are applied. In this case, the “shopper” is taking advantage of an incentive that is offered to the store’s customers. For my distinction between ethics and morality, I referenced wisegeek.com.

So, what is the difference?

In the case of the customer trying the samples (while conducting actual shopping), the sampling provided both a simple reward for shopping in that particular store, while offering the product’s distributor an inexpensive form of advertising. It is a “win-win” situation. While it is true that the same advertisement reached the other “shoppper”, this person is taking advantage of the relationship. Sure, one or two of these people will not make a difference (and would probably go unnoticed), but what if more people did the same thing? Eventually, the store would become crowded with people, and sales would drop, because none of them are there to buy anything. The store would catch on long before that extreme case would actually happen, and they would probably put an end to the free samples. Now, that seemingly innocent behavior has damaged the store, the product distributor, and (more importantly) the other real shoppers.

There is a clear distinction between cheapness and frugality. Being frugal involves actions that save money, and striving to attain more value from the money that you do spend. Things like clipping coupons, bargain shopping, and cooking at home (versus eating out) are great examples of frugality. Cheapness on the other hand, is a miserly attitude or behavior that affects others in a negative way, often insulting or hurting those around you (even if it is unintentional). Going out to eat with a group of friends, ordering a meal that totals $9.50, and only putting in $10 to pay “your share” is being cheap.

This is something I feel very strongly about. I have always been an extremely frugal individual, ever striving to save money, so that I will always be able to provide for myself and my family. While I do participate in some cost-cutting practices, I want to stress that (to the best of my knowledge) these actions affect only me, or those close to me, who are of a like mind, and have expressed their approval of the action.

So, my point in this lengthy monologue… Please think about your “frugal” choices. If it can somehow hurt or insult others around you, then you are not being frugal, you are being cheap!

What are your thoughts? Do you have friends that are cheap, but they think they are just frugal? How do you deal with them?

By the way, this post about “freebies” is even more relevant, because I have another giveaway coming up. I hope to announce it tonight, so stay tuned…