FREE

I am sure the new phone I just received from Verizon is already outdated but new for me. I have had my old one, which is still very serviceable and in great shape for 2 1/2 years but I kept getting messages that my new every two (not FREE but with a $50 online ordering credit) was up in September and I ought to do something about it. So I did.

Hubby's birthday was fast approaching, I had no car (another story involving a fuel pump) in which to go shopping, so going to the Verizonwireless web site I ordered a new LgEnv Touch and got one FREE that only cost me $104.96. What a deal! And hubby has a new phone. Now both of us have no idea how to use the phones. We have online service, too. No clue how that works, not FREE, so we better figure out how to use it as it will be on the bill. So now what; as if I had time to figure out how to use a new phone. Pshaw!

So back to this concept of "FREE." Have you ever noticed that when it is free it costs money in some way or another. I know when I would go to Lord & Taylor for the FREE can't live without Estee Lauder products it cost considerable. When I would get home I told Jer that I got this neat little bag with all these smaller than usual make-up products FREE. It usually cost me around $70 or $80, occasionally over $100, depending on how much the sales clerk, the official Estee Lauder sales woman (I have never seen a man in that position) could entice me to buy.

"This is new. It will bring a young, vibrant, healthy glow to your face."

"Oh, this feels so nice on the skin. How much?" I would inquire.

Response, "only $xxx. for the 4 ounce size."

"And for the smaller size?"

"Oh, a mere $xx. but the 2 ounces won't last very long. Remember, you get the FREE make-up with the 4 ounce purchase."

Of course, talk of cost was forboden. The clerk had to set that "you'll maintain a young, healthy glow reducing wringles" hook and when she felt she had me, then all she had to do was reel me in. Have you ever tried looking into the display cases in search of prices but those prices are all hidden. Think of the psychology behind that. One has to ask, "How much?" The hook would be in and then it was all over except for the, "Will this be cash or credit?"

Somehow I would leave with this FREE bag of cosmestics, sample sizes, and "know" that I was going to look younger and lose all the wrinkles. Well, maybe not all but a goodly portion thereof.

FREE, what a concept. I won't even go into the "Buy one get one free." What will you do with a second egg cracker, or apple peeler, etc.? I won't even get started on that. Then there is that "plus shipping and handling." I won't get started on that yet.