Here, have a cookie . . .
@GardenGerty (160663)
United States
October 12, 2011 4:25pm CST
While I was gone to see my daughter, I took my laptop along. I am glad I did. I got a "mass e mail" from a company I have worked for before. They needed some help for at least one day in my city. I replied and mentioned that I was available to work for them again. They needed my help immediately and my husband will also get some work. So what is that phrase "have a cookie" all about? I will be doing product demonstrations in my local grocery store, or maybe out of town, but primarily here. I had applied at another demo company and the HR had said I was hired, but they never followed through, so I am glad to be working with a company I know and trust. When I worked for this company before my local store ran a promotion all summer and got to choose their demonstrator to do it, and they chose me, so it is a good situation to go back to. Do you like to receive samples in grocery stores? I do, but only if I am sure they use safe food handling practices. Of course you know I will always be safe and careful as well.
7 people like this
28 responses
@bostonphil (4459)
• United States
12 Oct 11
I have just returned from grocery shopping and will probably go back to pick up a few more items later. I am fortunate to live right next door to a wonderful organic supermarket. It is called Central Market and owned by HEB which will mean nothing to anyone except if you live or have lived in Texas.
Central Market is similar to Whole Foods which probably most persons have heard of.
I LOVE sampling. And sampling is very good marketing. I have often bought a product after sampling -- a product I would never have considered buying if I had not sampled.
I am not concerned about safe food handling practices either at Central Market or Whole Foods. I feel that I am in good hands when I shop or eat at either place.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
I have seen people who give out samples eating the samples themselves, out of their gloved hands that are supposed to keep the food clean. Most stores really want to put out good, safe, healthy products.
2 people like this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
12 Oct 11
I miss my old demonstrator dog at PetSmart for dog food. I'd rather do samples people can eat. That would be fun. So what kind of cookies or what company?
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
Actually it is not always cookies. I work for a company called New Concepts In Marketing. They contract with the store to demonstrate whatever has been contracted. My husband will do two Nabisco products on Saturday, I will be doing a gluten free fruit bar on Saturday. On Sunday I will have some coffee to demonstrate. The original contact was made for a Holiday open house in November. One year I prepared three different dishes for SuperBowl Sunday. I learned to make a southwestern roll up among other things. NCiM has contracts with Kroger chain stores, maybe others.
2 people like this
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
13 Oct 11
You should try it. The work, if you can call it that, is not difficult and the pay is pretty good, too.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
13 Oct 11
Wow!
That sounds sooo cool. I'd love that.
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
13 Oct 11
We have product demonstartor sin all our big supermarkets. I love them. I will try almost anything. I never see a problem with safe food handling practises. All samples are in individual containors, and if a fork is needed, of course there is a throw away plastic. The demonstrator wears gloves if necessary.
As far as I know, here, it is a good job with good pay.
Some of our demonstrators have a fry pan there to cook some products, like a new steak.
Congratulations on getting this job. what product will you be domonstrating? I guess there will be a variety.
As you know, I am actively applying for jobs, as my four months with H & R block is nearly finished.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
I have done this is years past. It will be different products all year long. Different big companies contract with the company to have me present and sell new products, etc. I have seen people who were not too careful, and would eat their own samples (a no no) out of their gloved hands, and then go ahead and handle more foods. Sometimes it is a matter of what is perceived, as well. You have to look clean and neat. With meats you have to temp them with a thermometer. This does pay fairly well.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
12 Oct 11
Congrats, I heard about your new job. so you are going to be one of those nice people who give out samples? Oh yeah, I always look forward to samples, especially if I end up shopping when I am hungry, (which I shouldn't do, but it happens) Then the person who is giving out the samples is happy, because more than likely, I'll also buy the product..
I am very happy for you Gerty, can you get my son and I a job now???
I am very happy for you Gerty, can you get my son and I a job now??? @GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
Look at NARMS.com for retail type jobs. They are contract jobs and do not have benefits, but they still provide money. Sometimes they want people to work in electronics stores, etc.
3 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
13 Oct 11
Thanks Gerty, that sounds great. I am a member of this one site the sends me job openings in the area, but I never see an opening that either my son or I can apply for..
2 people like this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
13 Oct 11
When I was holidaying in the US, every mall had a place where one could sample some goodies. This was new to me and it was fun going there and helping myself. But there was no suggestion box or any such thing to receive our comments. I did not even know whose products they were but relished them indeed!
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
This is more efficient than that. I will promote the product, possibly will even have coupons to give away. I am supposed to tell people the advantages, and probably the aisle where they can find it. I may have product at my table to sell to them directly. I enjoy sampling new products myself.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81915)
• Onaway, Michigan
13 Oct 11
Congrats on the work that you got.This is a type of job I would love to do. I have not worked in years and I am really looking for a way to earn some more money with the holidays coming. I love to receive samples when I am in a grocery store.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
15 Oct 11
The specific company I will be working for is NCiM. If you type that in as .com you can apply there directly.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
This is the time of year that they are hiring. If you look at the NARMS.com website and set up a profile you will get some notices. I used to do this a few years back. You can also search online for product demonstration jobs.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (81915)
• Onaway, Michigan
13 Oct 11
Thanks I will check the site out and set up a profile. I am looking for a way to get some extra cash coming in with Christmas coming.
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
13 Oct 11
Congratulations. It is good to know someone appreciates your work and want you again. And the extra money doesn't hurt either! Funny how times have changed. The last time I was in a grocery store and had samples was many, many years ago. We worry more nowadays about food handling than we ever used to.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
I worry there and at restaurants actually. I have seen some that are not really careful. I am needing to get more income coming in and so far I have not been in much demand.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
That is part of the fun. When I did this before I got to catch up with people I had not seen in years.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
I know, so mmany things have corn in it. I have given out samples of steak, though, and one summer I did lots of various burgers.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
12 Oct 11
Nice! I've gotten to know a couple of the ladies who do the samples at my local Walmart. Actually they are my youngest son's "friends". They got use to seeing us every week, and thought my little guy was just so adorable, and would give him extra samples each week. Now every time we walk into Walmart my son has to go look to see if his friends are there. When we do see them we stop and chat for a bit.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
I think demonstrating in your home town causes you to make friends. I do not like the ones in Sam's Club as much, as they seem more interested in each other than in passing out samples. I enjoyed this job when I had it before, so I am looking forward to it again.
2 people like this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
13 Oct 11
I am so happy for you.On Mylot you come across as a warm compassionate caring lady and I know that you will do well. and yes, I do like getting free samples of food in supermarkets. Again, the very best of luck and let us know how you are liking it
On Mylot you come across as a warm compassionate caring lady and I know that you will do well. and yes, I do like getting free samples of food in supermarkets. Again, the very best of luck and let us know how you are liking it3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
This is a good fit for me and I enjoyed it when I did it before.
1 person likes this
@magtibaygom (4858)
• Philippines
12 Oct 11
I thought it's all about the "cookie" being inserted by internet companies to our computers to track us down, our surfing habits and activities. LOL
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
Nope, in this case it is not. Although all one summer I gave out samples of steak and burgers. You never know.
2 people like this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
12 Oct 11
I love samples and oh yes the safe food handling practices is a must. I find that many times I do try new product samples I find I get hooked on a brand new item. So I usually am eager to try them, if all appears to be handled properly. Cookies are usually welcomed. 
I had tried a few companies with the shoppers avenue, but since I don't have the experience under my belt it seems that I get overlooked. But am so happy to hear that you will be doing some of it and what better way then to return to a company that fully knows you.
Congrats to the both of you! 
I had tried a few companies with the shoppers avenue, but since I don't have the experience under my belt it seems that I get overlooked. But am so happy to hear that you will be doing some of it and what better way then to return to a company that fully knows you.
Congrats to the both of you! @GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
The website NARMS.com often has this type of job as well as some other retail jobs. Of course where you live there is more competition for a job.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
15 Oct 11
I do not see the point of "have a cookie",but I am glad that You got email from your previous company and they needed your help.It goes to show that you are proficient in product demonstrations and promotion.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
21 Oct 11
When I am demonstrating new food products, I offer them to people. If it happens I am introducing a cookie, I would ask the customers in the store if they would like to have a cookie. It could be anything, really.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
22 Apr 12
Another way to express this would be "I am offering a sample" or "giving a taste". Sometimes I have recipe books or coupons which save money on purchases.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16763)
• China
22 Oct 11
I think demonstrating new food products is surely interesting,even if I have no ideas how you do that.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
Yes, there are times when I am so glad to see samples, it makes up for missing lunch.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
They are usually pretty yummy. I sometimes learn new recipes or serving ideas from doing demos.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
15 Oct 11
At Sam's Club I almost always buy what I try, and that can get expensive.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166911)
• Boise, Idaho
13 Oct 11
Its funny you should mention demonstrations. We happened to all be out afew week-ends ago and went to our neighborhood store on the way home to pick up afew things. We tried a product that a nice lady was demonstrating. So my grandson snuck back for more and brought it to us. I was alittle embarrassed and it stayed in my mind. So last week-end we were out again and same thing happened. The lady that had been demonstrating the previous week-end was there again and my grandson did the same thing. She recognized him and made comment. OMG! I wonder if she thinks we do this all the time. Ugh!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
13 Oct 11
The company I work for used to have a rule that you do not give samples to children. Their adult family member may do so, however. I need to read my handbook tonight and see if that is still the case. One of my first demos, long ago, I was in another town, and a person I definitely think was homeless came through several times. For pork rinds and orange drink. I personally do not care, if it is a slow demo, if people come back and try another flavor or whatever. You may turn into a big customer for the products if you sample enough.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
15 Oct 11
I can imagine. He is also older. They have now clarified that older kids you just have to make sure their parent or guardian knows and knows what is in it, like caffeine or peanuts.
2 people like this
@missybear (11391)
• United States
14 Oct 11
My exes mom had a membership to Cosco and Sam's Club and I used to come along on her shopping trips just to sample all the goodies they had through out the stores..
At Albertsons they have lots of bakery items to sample all the time, so every time I go there I always go to the bakery first
.
At Albertsons they have lots of bakery items to sample all the time, so every time I go there I always go to the bakery first2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
15 Oct 11
A trip to Sam's can be a full meal deal.
1 person likes this
@jazel_juan (15746)
• Philippines
13 Oct 11
glad for you GG, i do love samples but mostly i take ones that are non-food like soaps, shampoos.. 
i stay away from food because i am scared it is contaminated or something
i stay away from food because i am scared it is contaminated or something 2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
15 Oct 11
We have to have food service training. It is good to be careful. Sometimes stores have just samples with no people there, and then you worry.
1 person likes this
