To want to see and end to free Tote bags

[mintywinter]

I was sent one in the post recently, which I didn't ask for and am never going to use, I have more than enough already. Surely they are meant to last for years and we all have enough tote bags now?

I'd be thrilled to get a free tote bag in the post.

I think all our tote bags must have been misdirected to Mintywinter

I’ll send you the next pair of BAM socks Dobby.

I don't think I've ever been sent one but we do have loads that we have accumulated from open days and trade shows, plus I did buy a couple a few years ago.

The older ones are really sturdy, the newer ones look like they'd give way if anything heavy was put in them.

I use them for all sorts, as a PP mentioned.

Only free things I get sent are single dog treats, charity begging letters with a complimentary pen (surely cost loads to send those out) and the odd sanitary towel. I'd love a tote 😂

I got a lovely free tote bag with my expensive prescription glasses, and before I could use it dd snarfed it away and claimed it for herself.

I keep a stash of totes my the front door. Super useful.

That's on the manufacture side.

The flip side they are much better than plastic / they don't live forever in the oceans etc. Cotton ones will eventually degrade.

It's a complicated equation.

Free socks and tote bags. ..am I missing something...where I sign up

I've never been sent a free one through the post, but if you mean those poor quality material shopping bags then I agree, I've collected a few from various university and school open days recently. I wouldn't mind if they were good quality, thick material and with long straps, but the flimsy versions are almost useless - will take pps advice though and stuff them everywhere to avoid paying for anymore bags.

YANBU. I don't like being any given unsolicited free stuff and not just because of waste but also because of the general overhead of having to deal with it. I have sent various plastic items including car window stickers back to the charities saying please reuse this and make sure you don't send things in future other than emails or the magazine. But am under no obligation to spend the stamps obviously.

Those cheap cotton tote bags are rubbish. They don't keep the rain off at all, the straps become uncomfortable quickly and twisted, they do terribly when washed and are usually offwhite and get dirty quickly, they have no shape to them to stand up, and cotton is resource intensive so we shouldn't be using it more than is absolutely necessary. Charity shops find it useful to have nice clean bags to send people home with stuff in or can sell them. So donate it.

If the pictures are suitable topics then give the excess calendars to a nursery school to use intact or for cutting out craft activities. Or to another charity shop.

I'm another who's never had a free bag, but I HAVE had loads of free socks from BAM. I must have at least 10 pairs between me and DD.

The marketing strategy worked in the end, as I started to feel so guilty about taking their free socks and never buying anything that I... bought from them. I'm such a rube. The stuff was nice, though, and now I get all my vests and most of my tops from them.

Tell me more about the free socks. How did you get them? I signed up to the marketing in hope but nothing…

My best friend also gets sent socks. I want socks ! Where are MY free socks ?

I don't know, they just started turning up. Sorry! I don't THINK I'd ever ordered from them, but I am somehow on loads of mailing lists for a certain demographic (I suspect Boden are the culprit for passing on details, as I used to buy kids' clothes from them).

Our local foodbank takes in bags for life to use, perhaps try your local one to see if they do the same? I had a clearout and took quite a few to them. I know they don't always get them back from people so are always in need of more.

I have ordered a catalogue to see if that sparks some socks. They are so soft, but take ages to dry.

Nobody has answered the question - "Who is sending free tote bags ?"

We get the free socks from BAM too! The chap who owned the house before us must have ordered something from them once so now and then they send a pair through the post addressed to him... which accidentally on purpose get opened (we moved in years ago now so I'm pretty sure he doesn't care.)

Would love a free tote bag though.

YABVVU if you won't tell us who's sending you the totes.

I don't get them in the post, but often get them as goodie bags at conferences or after running races. I don't know what to do with them - donating them to a food bank is a good idea. I hope the recipients take it when they go back the next time though, or they'll just end up with the mountain of bags they don't know what to do with instead of me!

Oooh can you share a link for ordering a catalogue?

We have loads of them. Totes ridiculous

I can’t do links 🙈, but if you go to bam.co.uk then click on send me a catalogue that should get you one. Can’t confirm you will get any socks!

Oops, no that’s not the right one. Bambooclothing.co.uk might work.