--- title: "Daily Buzz: When Freebies Are Problematic" id: "47350" type: "post" slug: "daily-buzz-when-freebies-are-problematic" published_at: "2019-07-24T20:30:39+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-17T01:43:31+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/07/24/daily-buzz-when-freebies-are-problematic/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2019/07/24/daily-buzz-when-freebies-are-problematic.md" excerpt: "Offering a giveaway? Let fashion retailer Forever 21 give you a lesson in what not to do. Also: the difference between workflow and process." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "Customer Engagement" - "Marketing" - "Promotions" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Daily Buzz: When Freebies Are Problematic Freebies or giveaways might seem like a nice gesture, but they can also send the wrong message when not thought out carefully. That’s what Forever 21 learned when it started shipping out diet bars with online orders. “The fast-fashion retailer has started sending sample Atkins lemon bars, which proudly advertise three grams of carbs, along with online orders,” [wrote Tracy Clark-Flory on Jezebel (opens in a new tab)](https://jezebel.com/forever-21-is-sending-diet-bars-with-plus-size-orders-1836629966) . “It isn’t clear just which orders receive this unsolicited weight loss nudge, but judging from a growing number of complaints on social media, most of the impacted customers appear to have ordered from the company’s plus-size collections.” Now the retailer is in hot water for imposing diet standards on its customers. “To receive an unsolicited diet bar isn’t just an insult; it’s a potentially dangerous invitation to question and critique oneself,” Clark-Flory said. “That is especially true while buying clothes, and *especially* while buying clothes from the plus-size line of a mainstream retailer like Forever 21.” Forever 21 has since issued a statement to *Jezebel*, saying that they surprise customers periodically with free test products from third parties in their online orders. “The freebie items in question were included in all online orders, across all sizes and categories, for a limited time and have since been removed,” the statement said. “This was an oversight on our part, and we sincerely apologize for any offense this may have caused to our customers, as this was not our intention in any way.” ### Workflow vs. Process > Confused about the difference between workflows and processes? Our post shares how [#associations (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/associations?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > and [#nonprofits (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/nonprofits?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > can get started with workflows. [https://t.co/EaSsPWmc43 (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/EaSsPWmc43) > > — Personify (@Personifycorp) [July 19, 2019 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/Personifycorp/status/1152231820102111238?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **In the zone on a work-related task?** Then you’re in the middle of a workflow, [Amanda Myers explained on the Personify blog (opens in a new tab)](https://personifycorp.com/blog/getting-started-with-workflows) . Where workflow emphasizes the completion of a certain task, a process focuses on accomplishing an organizational goal. “Confused? It’s understandable as both terms do really sound the same, with the end goal being a major difference,” she said. It gets more complex considering that sometimes workflows and processes can be one in the same. Other times, workflows can help inform new processes. “Analyzing your existing systems and workflows is the first step towards identifying opportunities for an improved process,” Myers said. “Look to a workflow when multiple tasks are needed to complete something important on a recurring basis.” ### Other Links of Note **Design teams might see accessibility standards** as a roadblock to great design, but [embracing those features can improve inclusivity (opens in a new tab)](https://www.cmswire.com/digital-experience/why-accessibility-isnt-an-ugly-word/) , according to *CMSWire*. **Many groups are competing** for your members’ attention. The Membership Guys detail [how to fight membership fatigue (opens in a new tab)](https://www.themembershipguys.com/subscription-fatigue/) in their latest podcast. **What should you ask** in your conference surveys? The *Event Manager Blog* offers [30 purposeful questions (opens in a new tab)](https://www.eventmanagerblog.com/event-survey-questions) . (Wolterk/iStock Editorial/Getty Images Plus) [Jeff Hsin](https://associationsnow.com/author/jeff-hsin/) [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/jeff-hsin/) Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Customer Engagement](https://associationsnow.com/tag/customer-engagement/) [#Marketing](https://associationsnow.com/tag/marketing/) [#Promotions](https://associationsnow.com/tag/promotions/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoAtlanta CVB TrailerAugust 16, 2012](https://associationsnow.com/2012/08/16/atlanta-cvb-trailer/) - [VideoRecap from the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 19, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/19/recap-from-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) - [VideoSneak Peek: Highlights from Day 2 of the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 14, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/14/sneak-peek-highlights-from-day-2-of-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) - [VideoDaily Recap: Day 1 from the 2025 ASAE MMC+Tech ConferenceMay 13, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/05/13/daily-recap-day-1-from-the-2025-asae-mmctech-conference/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2019%2F07%2F24%2Fdaily-buzz-when-freebies-are-problematic%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !