I run a computer shop. Some distributors and companies send you freebies in hopes that you will recommend their products to other users.
Interesting.
Let's say I have a computer shop, how do I go about recieving these products from companies?
Unless you
really own a shop... not a chance in *censored*. They don't send stuff to just anyone who says they have a shop. When it comes to hardware, the hardware companies don't send me freebies, only the distributor. Mostly because we don't deal with hardware companies direct, not even for warranty issues (authorized third party companies handle warranties here). If I make an order of a certain value with the distributor, they usually toss in something for free as a promo. A new video card or sound card model, new speakers, promo items from manufacturers (bags, CDs, cups, etc.), all kinds of accessories (mice, keyboards, etc.)... most of which I either sell or give away to friends. They get this stuff for free from the manufacturers to distribute. So it kinda indirectly comes from the manufacturer, but it's the distributor who decides who gets what, although I have known them on occasion to be talked into sending me-- er... I mean other people special items.
Software gets sent to me directly by several companies, including Microsoft and EA, because I order things directly from both companies here for resale or pre-install. New Era Games, a local re-distributor of computer games and software, often sends me games before they're released for promotional purposes, however I'm not allowed to sell those games (especially before a release date). Blizzard once offered to send me a life-size orc statue when they released Warcraft III in Asia. I told them not to bother, I had no place to put it. Saw another shop here that had one though, awesome. Makes me regret not getting my own.
