Why Free Clothing?

[Nene808]

Hiya. Like so many noobs I was addicted to the sims offering free clothing. It has been great to build a wardrobe and experiment with looks at no cost other than time! Many of these sims offer other free items in addition to clothing. Then I began asking myself why... why are these items given away free? I know that when apps / software online are free you pay with things other than money: user data, privacy, etc. So are we paying in other ways for free clothing and other items available inworld? I get that some of the items may be older items that have since been updated; just curious, and hoping that I'm not paying for these free items in ways I didn't know.

[Chic Aeon]

Obviously it is difficult to say "in general" as there are many different types of freebie sims.  Some are indeed left over from the REALLY OLD DAYS (like a dozen years ago). Others like Free Dove (also a long time institution) gather donations from various creators to make a shop for new folks. While most things there are not in the elite quality range, there are some very useful and fairly up to date items. For some of these sims you need to be in the group to pick up gifts. In that case you will likely get advertising within the group for various stores (this if you don't turn off group notices).  

 

Also for some freebie establishments there is the hope that you will buy things from the same stores that gave you gifts :D.   I do not know of any cases where you are paying linden dollars for those gifts -- unless of course there is a charge for joining the group (not the norm for free places).

 

Once you have explored and learned all you can at the free places (and I agree it is a great way to learn) then perusing various shops that have regular free group items is a good next step -- that and events that have anniversaries and such with gift giving.  You can pick up some very nice items from time to time.  Last month was phenomenal  and I have plenty of favorite free items as well as those I have purchased.   As a current example, here is a super cute mini dress (also in plain pink) from FaMESHed (free group) courtesy of SCANDALIZE (one of the top free items stores that I know of).     There is a matching necklace  -- hard to see in this photo - at the same event. 

 

[Tazzie Tuque]

I doubt very much if your free items come with a hidden cost..  People offer free items for various reasons.  Some may be rejects from items that they don't think will sell because of flaws or some other issue.  Some offer free items simply because they can and they want to.  Others may offer free items in the hopes that once a noob gets established, and may have some lindens to spend, that they will go investigate a store the belongs to a creator that offered a free item.  Kind of like an advertising thing.  So I wouldn't worry, if you enjoy the free stuff I think you can rest assured it is safe.

[Waiomao]

Nice to see this question and the replies - I wondered the same thing!

[LunaRavencroft]

Quality. Sure, free things are fun, and nice, but more often than not, I've found that the free thing is of a lower quality than say.. something I paid L$600 for. Case in point, sure, I could go find a free item for Legacy, and then go to a store like say.. Blueberry, or Addams, and find something for much better quality, that also has way more features.

 

[Wulfie Reanimator]

Exposure and plain goodwill are both common reasons.

For example, I've donated my time and knowledge writing scripts, tutorials, and answering questions for people for many years. I haven't gotten anything back for 99% of it. I can't really explain it, I just do it.

[Talligurl]

Why do people create memes that are shared all over the internet when they get nothing for them? Actually they get the satisfaction of knowing that so many millions of people saw their meme. I am sure that people create things in SL with the same motivation. Consider that fact that it does not cost any more to distribute 1000 dresses in SL than it costs to distribute 1

[Tazzie Tuque]

2 hours ago, Talligurl said:

Consider that fact that it does not cost any more to distribute 1000 dresses in SL than it costs to distribute 1

This is true, but there is in fact a cost to producing the item, so some compensation for the effort is appreciated..  not many of us have the means to spend our real life $ to supply free items in SL.  Just saying..  But from time to time a free item is a good thing to put out.. 

 

[Elena Blossom]

Some designers do it to support new players, RL events... It is also a great way to promote your store, so people get to know your creations.

[BeautifulXu]

Bro Xu...you're here!

[Sabrina Tamerlane]

Back in time, there was a wonderful free cloth made by Nephilaine Protagonist of Pixel Dolls, crochet dress I think? When I got this it was my first decent outfit and then I've become a regular customer of Pixel Dolls for years. Many designers give items for free and they are rewarded with customer loyalty: you get the free cloth or bodypart as a newbie and then you come back later for more!

Roleplay Sims also give starter items and another reason would be the promotion of your shop by adding a landmark to the box.

[Tazzie Tuque]

I was just thinking about this area of free items, and I realized no one has mentioned all the hunts that go on all over the grid.. and also some of the events, have free gifts as well by many if not all of the merchants participating in the event..  so that is another way to get good free items.  And hunts can be fun too.  For instance right now there is a "Stay At Home" grid wide event going on, and tons of stores participating with free items.. So in reality there is no shortage of free items.  You just might have to work a bit to find them, but they are out there.  And yes most of the participants are hoping for some promotion of their stores of course.. that is only fair.

[Bagnu]

Thanks to all of those who provide free clothes. When I first came on, I got cheated with empty boxes, and couldn't afford to put any more RL $ into SL. Free clothes got me going as a sub first, and had more clothes paid for. Now I Escort, and can afford to get high quality clothes. Free or low price doesn't always mean bad quality. What it does do, is get the SL economy working!!!