Black Friday 2017 presented a landscape of opportunities for consumers seeking free products, gift cards, and special promotions. While the day is synonymous with deep discounts, many retailers and brands structured offers that provided items with no upfront cost, either as door prizes, free-after-rebate products, or gifts with purchase. This article examines the types of no-cost offers available during the 2017 Black Friday period, focusing on verified information from contemporary sources. It covers categories including retail door prizes, free food and beverage items, pet adoption events, and mail-in rebate opportunities, providing a factual overview for U.S. consumers interested in promotional giveaways.
The freebies available during this period often required specific actions, such as being among the first customers in line on Black Friday or Thanksgiving Day, making a purchase to qualify for a gift card, or submitting a mail-in rebate form to receive a refund. Some offers, like free coffee at Barnes & Noble, required no purchase, while others, such as free pet adoptions, were part of larger charitable events. The following sections detail these offers based on information reported in 2017.
Retail Door Prizes and Gift Cards
Several retailers offered gift cards as door prizes to early shoppers. These promotions were designed to attract crowds to brick-and-mortar stores, with the value and distribution method varying by retailer.
- Field & Stream ran a promotion where the first 150 adults in line on both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday would receive a gift card. These customers were also entered into a drawing for a $500 gift card. The drawings were scheduled for 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, and 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Black Friday. This offer was valid on November 23 and 24, 2017.
- Fred Meyer offered a free gift card to the first 100 customers on Black Friday when the store opened at 5 a.m. The source also noted an unconfirmed report of free donuts, juice, and coffee being available for shoppers.
- Belk provided the first 150 customers with a scratch card valued between $15 and $250.
- Cabela’s had a giveaway for the first 150 customers, though the specific item was not detailed in the provided information.
- Shoe Carnival took a different approach, giving the first 100 shoppers on Black Friday $10 to spend on anything in the store, effective when stores opened at 6 a.m.
Free Food, Beverages, and Meal Promotions
Food and beverage freebies were a notable part of the 2017 Black Friday landscape, with offers ranging from a simple cup of coffee to free meals for children.
- Barnes & Noble offered a free coffee before 10 a.m. on Black Friday. A key detail was that no purchase was required to receive the coffee.
- TooJay’s ran a promotion where children aged 12 and younger could dine for free when an adult entrée was purchased. This offer was valid from Friday through Sunday, required a coupon from www.toojays.com, and was limited to one free kid’s meal per paid adult entrée.
- CVS had an offer valid from November 23 to 25, though the specific details of the freebie were not fully elaborated in the provided text. The source noted that CVS was open on both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.
Pet-Related Freebies and Adoption Events
The 2017 Black Friday period included initiatives focused on pet adoption, with some shelters waiving fees to encourage adoptions of animals, particularly black cats and dogs.
- Woods Humane Society in San Luis Obispo, California, expanded its usual Black Friday event into a three-day "Clear The Shelter Adopt-A-Thon." Adoption fees were waived for all animals in the shelter on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This event was part of the Subaru Share the Love Event, which involved Subaru supporting the ASPCA.
- Petco was mentioned in relation to an event where shoppers could meet adoptable dogs and cats, with a focus on black pets that are often overlooked. The event included refreshments and conversations with shelter staff.
Free-After-Rebate Items
For consumers comfortable with the rebate process, some retailers offered products that were free after a mail-in rebate, requiring an initial purchase but providing a full refund later.
- Macy’s offered 10 items that were free after mail-in rebates. These items included a Disney Olaf plush toy and a Bella 4-Cup Coffeemaker. The process required customers to purchase the item at regular price and then submit a rebate form to receive a refund.
Sweepstakes and Entry-Based Promotions
Some freebies were structured as sweepstakes or contests, where participation could lead to winning a prize, though a purchase was often involved for automatic entry.
- AAFES Exchange ran a Black Friday sweepstakes for military personnel. From November 1 to December 31, 2017, every use of a MILITARY STAR card automatically entered the cardholder for a chance to win prizes. The grand prize was the MILITARY STAR bill paid in full for five winners, with second and third prizes of $1,000 and $500, respectively. The terms noted that, as a sweepstakes, there must be optional ways to enter without making a purchase. However, the grand prize's value was contingent on having a credit card balance to pay off.
Important Considerations for Freebie Seekers
When pursuing freebies, especially those requiring mail-in rebates or specific timing, consumers should be aware of several factors. First, many of the listed offers were time-sensitive, with specific windows for redemption (e.g., the CVS offer was valid only from November 23-25). Second, door prizes were almost always limited to the first customers in line, making early arrival crucial. Third, rebate processes require careful attention to detail, including completing forms correctly and submitting them within the specified timeframe. Finally, some offers, like the free coffee at Barnes & Noble, were straightforward and required no purchase, while others were tied to a purchase, which could affect the net value of the "free" item.
The information presented here is based on reports from 2017. For current offers, consumers should always check directly with retailers and brands for the most up-to-date terms and conditions.
Conclusion
The Black Friday 2017 freebie landscape offered a variety of no-cost opportunities across multiple categories. From gift cards for early shoppers and free coffee at bookstores to waived pet adoption fees and free-after-rebate appliances, the promotions were designed to drive foot traffic and reward specific consumer behaviors. The most valuable offers often required planning, such as arriving early for door prizes or keeping receipts for rebate submissions. While some promotions were straightforward, others, like sweepstakes, had conditions that could affect their practical value. This overview, based on verified 2017 reports, provides a historical snapshot of the types of freebies that were available during this major shopping period.