Free

Free is an interesting term in the United States.  Any deals that offer something for free have some kind of catch to make them...not completely free.  For example, buy one get one free.  What they really mean is buy two for half off each.  You are more inclined to buy when you wouldn't have before.  Therefore, they make more money, besides...we all know that the markups are more than enough to cover the expenses to make the product.  Another trick I often see is the free soda, or free entree.  The favorite is kids are free.  Each of these will require either an additional person or an additional item to be complete.  Again  you are more tempted to buy when you may not have earlier.  It is a decent discount to those who already planned on making the purchase however.

Today I was offered a free lunch.  What was the price?  1 and a half hours of PCR training and marketing.  For those who are not familiar with PCR it is the replication and amplification of genetic strands.  This procedure is used for cloning, speeding up the growth of bacteria (or yeast, etc.), and DNA fingerprinting (forensic science).  The intention of the seminar was to present several problems many people face when doing PCR; problems due to temperatures, making sure the right genetic material is duplicated, etc.  Then after presenting the problems, a specific item from this company was presented as the solution.  Backed with research data that supports their claim that it is best to order the material needed from this company.  Classic example of marketing at its best.  Anyway, it was a good seminar and I learned a few things.  The food was ok, nothing special.  Considering the fact I was sent from work in a mandatory fashion it was good.  I did get to meet the representative who supplies the laboratories at my university.  That was a great opportunity because now I can feel a little more comfortable making an order from campus if necessary.  So, to recap....nothing is truely free so be careful, especially in the U.S.  Also, PCR is a fun thing to learn about if lunch is involved and you have to go for work anyway.  Have a great night!