PINCHme – Try and Review New Products!
Like Influenster, PINCHme (not not the song from Barenaked Ladies) is a free service that you can participate in to earn free product samples and sometimes even full size products. I’ve been a member for six years and have had the opportunity to try products I may have never even looked at in the store before.
Throughout this post I’ll explain a little about PINCHme, claiming samples, the main components of the site, and some of the samples I’ve received over the years, and my personal link to sign up as a member.
- A Little About PINCHme
- Signing Up
- How Else to Earn
- My Free Products
A Little About PINCHme
It’s simple really, you get to try new products from PINCHme, all they ask in return is that you tell them what you think.
Each month new samples are released on a pre-determined date. You just have to log on at the specified time to claim yours. The time to login is at 12pm EST/9am PST. Log onto the site, claim your samples, verify the shipping address, and you’re on your way. There are a number of samples available each week, and which ones are available to you plus how many you can claim kind of depends on you.
Depends on me?
Yes, you see you have a profile to fill out upon joining. The profile questions ask preferences on things, questions about how many people are in your house, what pets you have, where you like to shop, do you have food preferences or allergies. This way PINCHme knows they are making the best samples available to you to fit your likes and needs. This also, depending on what they are able to procure, means some months none of the samples fit your profile. But that’s ok, check again next month!
Signing Up
Signing up is simple. Follow this link, set up your profile, and save the next Sample Tuesday in your calendar! At the time of writing this (9/28/22), the next Sample Tuesday is October 11th, 2022.
*Disclaimer- link is a referral code I may receive points from PinchMe towards other deals at no cost to you if you sign up using this link.*
Besides Sample Tuesday – How Else Can I Earn Free Items?
So When you log into your account you’ll see the following menu items, I’ll explain a bit about each:
- WALLETme
- SAMPLEme
- REWARDme
- ABOUTme
- RATEme
- INVITEme
- PAST SAMPLES
WALLETme
This is a newer feature within PINCHme’s website, and admittedly one I’ve not explored much. The general Idea is that you have coins within your account (think points). You can earn points through different activities (think SB for Swagbucks). These activities include Referring Friends, Completing Offers, like signing up for survey and product sites, or signing up for services. These are all optional, and some may cost money, so I haven’t really explored any of the offers yet.
A third way to earn coins within the WALLETme section is to complete surveys right on the site. I have done a few surveys in the past. However, like Swagbucks, you aren’t always eligible for each survey and may not find out until after you’ve spent a few minutes on it. In my experience, when you are new to a site, you can usually qualify for a few surveys easily.
Coins can be redeemed for a variety of products like a self-heating sleep mask, temporary lip tattoos, lip balms, a back scratcher, and more. I did see a Fire TV by Amazon for 31,700 coins. So, if you want to work towards that, that’s a pretty decent goal.
Coins are also earned by completing your profile, enabling text alerts, and liking/following their social media accounts.
I haven’t earned any prizes yet from my coins, BUT I will be sure to update if I ever do!
SAMPLEme
On Sample Tuesday, you’ll see what available products have been picked for you based on your profile.
On Sample Tuesday, once you’ve claimed the samples you want, you’ll verify your address and your order will be placed. Next, a confirmation email will arrive shortly thereafter letting you know that your beloved items are on their way. Sample boxes usually take 6 weeks or so to arrive, more or less depending on the time of year. Keep reading to see some of the awesome samples I’ve received over the years.
In addition to the samples or even full size products themselves, you may also receive manufacturer coupons for products received. For products that need to be cold, you’ll receive a coupon to redeem at the store to get the full size product for free.
What Do I Do the Rest of the Month?
In between Sample Tuesdays, you may see other offers. Currently I have a Target e-Gift Card for $5. However, I cannot just claim that like I would on Sample Tuesday. To claim this particular offer, I would need to complete an offer similar to those in the WALLETme section.
Is it worth my time and personal information for this $5 gift card? For me, no. I think with sites like this, you determine over time what is worth YOUR time and energy. That may differ from what a friend who is part of these sites may prioritize. But, that’s the beauty of it, this is all optional; what you get out of it is up to you.
REWARDme
Another section I’m not familiar with as much because I don’t utilize this section of the page. This section appears to be companies who will offer discounts or free trials, in exchange to be on the PINCHme site. As PINCHme members we are able to take advantage of these deals, but there is probably money involved later on, or some exchange of personal information. Like I mentioned above, this is up to you if it is worth your time.
ABOUTme
This is one of the most important tabs on the menu. The ABOUTme tab is where you fill out and update your member profile. You’ll first do this when you sign up, but check back periodically to see what updates there are. This is so you can be sure to receive whatever newest products are available on Sample Tuesday. Keeping an updated profile also lets PINCHme know you’re an active user and interested in helping with their research.
You’ll answer questions about where you shop, your color and texture of hair, pet information, if you’re interested in CBD use, coupon use, and more. You can choose not to answer any question you aren’t comfortable divulging information on.
RATEme
After you start receiving products, you’ll need to hold up your end of the deal by reviewing the products. They ask that you simply, leave a truthful and honest review. Make sure to state in any paragraphs asked of you (or on external review sites if prompted) that you received the item free from PINCHme and be as thorough as possible. You’ll also want to use correct spelling and grammar and avoid offensive language. Complete the review(s) in a timely matter and of course, mention the product by name and flavor/variety if applicable.
Here is a feedback survey on a product I recently received for you to look at:
The first few questions have a drop down box, asking for your experience, was this influential in your choice to possibly purchase this product in the future.
By the way, this product, Lesserevil Organic Popcorn, Himalayan Gold is going to get a raving review. I loved it!
In this section you can also track previous orders to anticipate their arrival.
A Small Suggestion to PINCHme
Admittedly I’m not the best at completing my reviews on time, which probably hinders my availability of samples from month to month. However, some I don’t use by the time the review is due. For instance, I received Blister Pads from Compeed one month. A great product to have, but by the time I needed to review the product, I didn’t have a blister. I didn’t want to just open the product to see how it felt without being able to get full use out of it. Same if you receive say a sample of heartburn medicine, well you can’t review if if in the timeframe allotted, you’ve not had heartburn.
That would be a tweak I would make to the feedback system in PINCHme, an extension request on certain products that maybe you just haven’t needed yet? Who do I talk to about that?
INVITEme
Simple and straightforward, this is your referral code. You can invite friends and family, and people reading your blog… (I’m looking at you). With every friend who joins PINCHme using your code and confirms their email address, you’ll receive 40 coins.
There is the option to copy the link, or share to facebook:
PAST SAMPLES
The final section of the main menu is Past Samples, here you can look and see what samples PinchMe has previously offered. Clicking on each product, will provide you with a description of the product, photos, and a link to purchase. You can also find their social media accounts here. Browse past samples all together or separate out by category. There are so many products on this page!
My Free Products
I don’t review the products I receive from PINCHme as heavily as I do those received from Influenster. This is simply because I feel that a sample size product maybe isn’t enough of an experience with the product as a full size is. I have reviewed some, and do have some reviews waiting to be posted, but it is less likely to see posts on here from products received from PINCHme.
The reviews on our site of products I was introduced to through PinchMe are as follows:
- Goli Nutrition Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies
- NeoCell Super Collagen Powder
- Eva NYC Freshen Up Dry Shampoo
- Plant Fusion Complete Plant Collagen Builder (coming soon)
On our sister site, GRECOBON, we’ve tried the following products received from PINCHme:
- Cobram Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Starbucks Coffee with Essential Vitamins (coming soon)
Enjoy the gallery below of products I’ve received through my years of being a member of PINCHme:
Final Thoughts
As I said with Influenster, what you put in is what you get. Those who are very active within the surveys and offers will probably earn and receive more. They’re also using more of their time and giving more personal information to some company. While I’m a more casual user, I’ve enjoyed the products received over the years. I will however, make a more valiant effort to review the products more so you can check them out too. But, better yet, why don’t you just sign up today and start getting products yourself?
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