# Anybody know how I could get a LOT of sample-size toiletries for cheap? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687 "2010-04-29T00:24:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/1 "2010-04-29T00:24:58Z")
I volunteer in a local ER as an advocate for patients who’ve been sexually assaulted or victims of domestic violence. My program would really love to put together some ‘Dignity Kits’ of toiletries and basic clothing items for patients to use when showering and changing after a rape kit has been done, but (surprise, surprise) we really don’t have any funding to put such things together. I’m sure there’s got to be somebody, somewhere who’s got thousands of tiny shampoo bottles with the hotel’s name misprinted on them or something like that, but I can’t really find them online anywhere. Anybody have any suggestions as to how I could find a whole bunch of cheap mini-shampoos/conditioners/soaps/toothpastes? Minimus.biz requires a minimum $250 order for wholesale, and I don’t think we have that kind of money; there’s some stuff on eBay that’s worth looking into. I’m sure there’s other sources I’m not thinking of. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/2 "2010-04-29T00:27:19Z")
Why not contact the motel/hotel chains that distribute these toiletries to their guests? If you can’t get a donation directly from them, perhaps you can find out who supplies them and approach their suppliers? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/3 "2010-04-29T01:28:28Z")
eBay. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/4 "2010-04-29T01:46:55Z")
Ask for donations. Go to places like Walgreens or the like, any place that sell sample sizes, and ask if they corporation would be willing to make a donation to a good cause. This might mean you have to work your way up the chain of command a bit as I doubt the low-level flunkies have the authority to do this, but it’s one place to start. Go to major hotel chains and do the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/5 "2010-04-29T02:05:23Z")
Gimme an address. We have boxes and boxes of hotel soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion. Can’t help on the toothpaste, though. We use those ourselves. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/6 "2010-04-29T02:08:27Z")
I have a bunch that I can donate, too. Send me a PM and I’d be happy to ship some to you. ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/7 "2010-04-29T02:36:29Z")
**silenus** and **blondebear** , thanks so much for your offers! I’ve PMed you with the details. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/8 "2010-04-29T12:35:52Z")
… or I suppose you could have a donation drive on a large message board. Gee, wonder if there’s such a forum…? (Better ask the admins, first, though) ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/9 "2010-04-29T14:48:21Z")
I was _totally_ not expecting a donation drive when I started this, but you’re right. I’ve emailed a mod. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/10 "2010-04-29T18:26:02Z")
[moderating] Got your email, **GilaB**. Thanks for asking. We’ll retroactively approve this one. Carry on. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/11 "2010-04-29T18:38:50Z")
Just contact the manufactuers, they may help. Hotels and such can stock things like soap and such, so they aren’t as apt to give it to you, as the manufactuers. You may also want to start a website for your charity if you don’t have one. You could go to 1and1 (or GoDaddy) and find very cheap ways to get a domain name and even set up a simple site with their WYSIWYG editors. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/12 "2010-04-29T18:47:19Z")
I see Aveda products in a lot of hotels these days. I’d research who does their community outreach or marketing/pr and see if they could help you out. [Here’s](http://www.aveda.com/customerservice/cs_corp_inq.tmpl?ngextredir=1)a link for corporate inquiries. I bet if you could tie this in to an article in the paper or a news program or even a blog they’d be interested. ---
**Author:** ![GilaB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@GilaB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GilaB)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/13 "2010-04-29T19:41:37Z")
I have ZERO experience in PR/marketing, and have no idea of how to go about contacting manufacturers. Given the basic information (like the link for corporate inquiries,) do I now call, and try to explain this to whatever low-level functionary answers the phone, hoping to get bumped up the food chain? If not, how do I find out how to contact? ---
**Author:** ![Minnie\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/14 "2010-04-29T19:58:38Z")
> [@](#): > > I have ZERO experience in PR/marketing, and have no idea of how to go about contacting manufacturers. Given the basic information (like the link for corporate inquiries,) do I now call, and try to explain this to whatever low-level functionary answers the phone, hoping to get bumped up the food chain? If not, how do I find out how to contact? A lot of large companies have a link somewhere on their website for corporate giving, email or call. I do fund raising for an animal rescue and gotten some really good donations and discounts on items this way. Just tell them what you want, why you want it and who you are. Most places are willing to help. Some even have “forms” available on line for you to fill out and submit. If you can’t find a link on a website, you can always call the corporate office and ask tell them what you are looking for, the person who answers the phone should be able to direct you to someone. Even if they don’t give things away, you can get really good discounts. I purchased something like 8 cases of potato chips for $30 directly from the manufacturer, just by calling and asking if they did discounts/donations for non-profits. Some places won’t advertise that they do this, but will help you out. Good luck. I am sure you can get exactly what you need for little to no cost to the institution. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/15 "2010-04-29T20:04:24Z")
Yep, just give that number a call and start from there. Let them know your name, your org, and that you’re needing donations for “items for patients to use when showering and changing after a rape kit has been done”. “Can you direct me to the appropriate person or department?” Bingo bango. If that’s not fruitful, I would start at the store level and ask for a regional contact. Target and Walmart also have travel sized stuff. I believe Walmart managers are independently empowered to make community donations. Not sure at Target, but they’ll tell you. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/16 "2010-04-29T20:11:54Z")
If you don’t get enough from donations then a $.99 store might sell travel size toiletries. The one near me does. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/17 "2010-04-29T20:16:22Z")
I compulsively order free samples online, I guess with the idea that we can use them for traveling but I’m way uneven on amount of samples vs. amount of vacation. I’d love to send some your way, PM please? ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/18 "2010-04-29T21:13:33Z")
I bet you could easily get enough donations from posters here to make up that $250 minimum, if you can’t get enough from straight-up item donations, too. ---
**Author:** ![msanko1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@msanko1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msanko1)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2014, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/19 "2014-06-29T20:55:47Z")
I know this thread is really old but I just started a club up at my Hofstra University called the Global Medical Brigades and we are looking for donations of toothpaste, children and adult toothbrushes, and sample size shampoo and soap. We distribute them in communities that have little to no access to medical care. Any suggestions on how I can obtain these products? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2014, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687/20 "2014-06-30T01:06:51Z")
See above thread. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-know-how-i-could-get-a-lot-of-sample-size-toiletries-for-cheap/537687.md?page=2)