This is an ongoing list of Freebie Etiquette after my original post on the topic:
1. Do not whine to the designers about their freebies/dollarbie.
In other words, do not message them because their freebie/dollarbie is no longer available. Do not message them because they may have moved their freebie/dollarbie to a new locations. Do not message them demanding they give you a freebie/dollarbie.
2. Do not whine to the designers that the freebie/dollarbie is not your favorite color, style, etc.
This goes with #1. Do not message them that you do not like the color of the freebie/dollarbie. Don’t like the color, buy the item in the color you like. Do not message them that you do not like the bling/sounds/poofer/etc. Don’t like those items, don’t wear them.
3. If you don’t like the freebie/dollarbie, say thank you and move on with your life.
There is no need to dwell on a freebie/dollarbie that you do not like in some way. Do NOT sit there by the freebie/dollarbie inside the designer’s store and whine to everyone who comes by in the public chat that you hate the freebie/dollarbie and think it is ugly. This behavior is rude, unprofessional, and downright disgusting. If you do not like it, delete it. There is no point in complaining about something you just got for free /$1L.
4. Stop trying to ruin all the freebies/dollarbies and specials for the rest of us.
Every time you complain to the designers about their free/$1L items it makes the rest of us look bad and might prompt that designer not to give out freebies/dollarbies anymore. Do not complain about items you got for free/$1L.
5. Be grateful you got anything at all.
Designers are not obligated to give out freebies. They do so out of their own generosity so let’s be grateful to the designers. Say thank you especially if the designer is right there when you are picking up the item.
6. When complimented on your freebie/dollarbie wardrobe, thank the person and offer them the landmark for the store you got the item at. (Suggested by: Devilish Cupcake)
It is always nice to share. When someone tells you that your skin, hair, dress, shoes, etc looks great, offer them a landmark to the store that you got the item from.
7. When unpacking your boxes in a build area, do not be a litterbug. Pick back up or delete your empty box. Do not leave any object on land without the owner’s permission. (Suggested by: Lyselle Munro)
Each parcel can hold a certain number of prim and if you leaving you box lying around on someone’s land it is eating their prim. This is like virtually littering. Give a hoot, don’t pollute.
8. Do not resell your freebie/dollarbie. (Suggested by: Io)
It is unethical to resell your freebie/dollarbie. If the item is transferable and you do not want it anymore, pass it on to a needy newbie who may need the item.
Feel free to add anything to this list.
When complimented by another on your freebie, thank them and offer to share your source!
Thank you to all the wonderful designers and their generous gifts.I love every freebie I have kept(about 5000).
If you like the freebie, support the designer and buy something, tell your friends, say thanks. Don’t just be a freeloader.
RedDawn, I have heard from several designers that the days their items are blogged, many have a boost in sales so I am hoping that those can afford have been doing that.
If the shop where you get your freebie happens to allow build (perhaps you are a member of the shop’s group), please be respectful &, if you pull out & open your box in the shop, CLEAN UP after yourself. Many people - not just those who might own or work in a shop - consider it very rude when people leave their boxes lying about…
I am a newbie to SL and greatly appreciate all the freebies! I have purchased a few things also. Keep up the good work everyone!
…how about “don’t resell them”
[...] common sense etiquette regarding freebies. I have added explanations of each point on the official Freebie Etiquette page. It saddens me to hear that people are still whining at designers over the items that have [...]
[...] common sense etiquette regarding freebies. I have added explanations of each point on the official Freebie Etiquette page. It saddens me to hear that people are still whining at designers over the items that have [...]
[...] not have to cost you much to look good. I’d like to end this reader style with a quote from Cherlindrea’s blog about being gracious about freebie items: 1. Do not whine to the designers about their [...]
[...] not have to cost you much to look good. I’d like to end this reader style with a quote from Cherlindrea’s blog about being gracious about freebie items: 1. Do not whine to the designers about their [...]
I take advantage of this place here to repeat my deep gratitude to all the generous, mostly anonymous givers of their work I -and hundreds of thousands more- have been enjoying since I first came on SL.
THANK YOU ALL WITH ALL MY HEART
it is that friendly welcome that makes SL so great
I have lived in SL for over one year exploring and marvelling at the quality and the originality of the objects given freely to shameless lazy users like me.
I try to repay a little bit back by being always polite and pleasant to everyone, and looking as pretty and friendly as possible
And…
my greatest pleasure is sharing the beauty by wearing and showing off, and giving away all I can to those who like to have them, at least LMs to shops if the objects are non transfer.
Really nothing I have in my inv of over 8500 items is mine to keep, but to be given away freely to whoever asks for it.
[...] least you can do is add the designers store to your LM’s. Even better -thank the designer! Cherlindrea posted a great Freebie Etiquette guide on ‘Fabfree’. I think she’s spot on and I hope I follow it and show my gratitude [...]
May I also add…please do not ask for the freebie with different permissions (such as asking for a modifiable version when the original was no mod), and do not ask for the freebie in a different size. Freebies take time to create and set up in-world just like any other design, and most designers are already pretty busy designing, promoting, and handling customer service. We love to give out freebies when we have the time, and we love to see others enjoy those freebies, but it’s really unfair to ask us to spend extra time creating special versions of those freebies.
Sorting clothes and freebies is one of my favorite activities in SL. Freebies help me discover my favorite designers and help clothe this girl on a budget. When you find your favorites, go ahead and buy or contribute to their tip jar. They all deserve so much credit and help to continue their work here.
I guess its not required but I like to stay and look around the shop where I got the freebie too. even if your budget is super tight, at least admire the creator’s work. I’m a shopaholic so I end up buying quite a few things from stores that lured me in with a nice freebie. even if I don’t end up buying, I look around and appreciate the surroundings.
Sadly, I have to add to this list. If you do not like the freebie, please do not stand beside the freebie vendor and tell everyone in public chat how awful you think it is! Everyone is more than welcome to have their own opinions about a freebie, but to spout off those opinions in public chat at a person’s place of business in an obvious attempt to convince others not to pick up the freebie as well is just plain rude. If you do not like the freebie, delete it from your inventory and move on with your life. Otherwise, you make yourself look bad, and you shouldn’t be surprised if you end up being banned from the designer’s store.
Ug, send me their name in world please.
Another thought to that person who was rude to SavannahAnn, designers DO talk to each other. You might not only find yourself banned from the store you are behaving this way but at other stores as well.
[...] {March 16, 2008} Freebie Etiquette - We Need a Refresher I was shocked to read on Freebie Etiquette that a freebie/bargain hunter sat right next to the recent $1L gift being offered by Spirit and [...]
OMG — I love freebies! I have gotten the most beautiful stuff that way and it was so helpful when I was a newbie. Now, I am a bit choosier about my freebies since my inventory is out of control, but i do shop and purchase from designer’s whose freebies I adore. I enjoy recieving a landmark in the box so that I can return and spend lindens. Thank you to all the generous designers!
My husband and I are brand new to SL, and a newbie pack we received directed us here to your site. We’re still learning the ropes in SL and how to contact people, but since you had a place to comment, I just wanted to say a heartfelt “THANK YOU” to the designers who have so generously given away so many things so as to allow us a good start in SL. It’s because of your kindness that people like us stick with SL until we can become productive members. Thank you for being so good to all of us, even the ones who don’t appreciate it.