Why Is Giving Something Away For Free So Hard These Days?
A Texas Sunday afternoon in September could mean another 100 degree day. But on this glorious Sunday that wasn’t the case. The clock struck 1:10 PM and the first pitch at the Texas Rangers / Cleveland Indians game had already been thrown.
It was decision time!
In my right pocket I had four of the best tickets in the stadium—ten rows behind home plate. Before my perfect day could start, a decision had to be made regarding the extra two tickets in my pocket. My choices were:
- Go up to the Season Ticket window and exchange them for another Ranger game
- Let them go unused
Give them away
I chose option number three.
The next question was: who was I going to give them to? Since the Rangers—like my beloved Boston Red Sox—are really not in playoff contention and there weren’t a ton of people looking for tickets. I was hoping to find either a young couple or a father or mother with a kid.
I was in luck. From thirty feet away I spotted a couple in their early twenties. They were holding hands so I assumed they were boyfriend/girlfriend.
I quickly approached the young couple and asked them if they had tickets. They didn’t respond. I quickly said I have two extra tickets that I would like to give them. No response. I was shocked. One last time I said I have two of the best tickets in the house, ten rows behind home plate and I can’t use them. They are free. Would you like them? The gentleman never said a thing. I looked at the girl and said “here they are. They are yours. I hope you enjoy the game.” She said “Are you serious?” I responded “Yes. Enjoy the game.”
About 25 minutes went by and I was enjoying some peanuts, popcorn and my hotdog with my oldest son and I saw the young couple come towards our seats. They sat down next to me and we exchanged a quick hello. The only other comment she made was “Thank you so much. Today is my birthday. I must admit we were very nervous when you offered us the tickets. That just doesn’t happen anymore.”
If that is true, that is very sad. Do you think my story is common in today’s society?
Hopefully it isn’t!
September 5th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
The same thing happened to me recently in Vegas and I was SHOCKED. I had two tickets to a Clint Homes show that I my husband and I could not attend because we had the dates mixed up and we had a flight to catch.
We could not give the darn tickets away. People just looked at us like we were crazy. Finally, a reluctant older couple accepted them. My husband and I wondered if they actually attended the show or if they thought they were too good to be true.
The same thing happens to us in market research. “You are going to pay me $75 IN CASH to attend a 2 hour focus group…and all you want is my opinion?”
I think we are all under the impression…If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is…
That is really sad!!
September 6th, 2006 at 8:09 am
Unfortunately the offer of something for “free” rarely comes without any strings. People have been conditioned to look for the catch. Is that phone really free or will I need to sign a two-year contract? Will they really test my water for free or are they trying to sell me a water purification system? Is the free weekend at a beach resort really free or are they going to submit me to a high pressure sales presentation to buy a unit? The truly free item is a thing of rarity these days.
September 6th, 2006 at 11:20 am
Likewise, I often have extra tickets for ball games at the last minute and have given them away for free at the entrance. It is amazing how tough it is to give them a way, free of charge. We live in a society full of “counterfeits” and “fine print”, that the word of a total stranger is no longer accepted. This mindset of disrust must of came into vogue style a few days after person’s word and the shake of a hand to seal a deal.
September 8th, 2006 at 10:13 am
On labor day 2005, my family and I went to Canada’s Wonderland for a day of fun and rides. While standing at the entrance in the ticket line, two different people approached us and gave us a free ticket. Each of the “donors” were so happy to find a family that would enjoy their unused tickets. My children are young so their entrance was free. We had a great day and we donated the money we would’ve spent on the tickets to charity.
September 18th, 2006 at 10:17 am
Merrill, some time ago, I noticed that two young college women had missed getting off their stop on the train home. They were talking with one of the mother’s on the phone and were trying to determine where they could get off and still get back to their car. I offered to have my husband and I drive them back to their car - the stipulation was that they had to call their parent from the station and let them know we were taking them back and then calling again when we got to their car to know they were safe. They were reluctant but took us up on the offer. Our only requirement was to “Pay it Forward” - help someone else out one day. Amazing what a little kindness can do on the smiling faces of two young women!
September 18th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
Attribute people’s cynicism to the current, oxymoronical (is that a word) expression, “free gift”. You know if someone is offering you a “free gift”, they want something. It’s like that $20 bill you see lying on the sidewalk… it may have a string attached.