Black Friday, traditionally known for deep discounts on consumer goods, also presents a unique opportunity for shoppers to obtain free items, gift cards, and promotional offers without a purchase. The 2017 retail landscape featured a variety of giveaways, door prizes, and early-bird specials designed to attract customers to brick-and-mortar stores. These promotions ranged from free coffee and food items to gift card drawings and product giveaways, with many offers contingent on arriving early or being among the first customers in line. This article details the specific freebies available during the 2017 Black Friday period, based on compiled retail advertisements and promotional materials.
Retailer-Specific Freebies and Promotions
Several major retailers offered structured freebie programs during the 2017 Black Friday sales period. These promotions often had strict eligibility criteria, such as being among the first customers or arriving during specific hours.
Belk
Belk’s 2017 Black Friday promotion featured two distinct giveaway events. On Thursday, the first 250 customers when doors opened at 4 p.m. received a gift card valued between $5 and $1,000. On Black Friday, the first 150 customers (minimum) were given a scratch-off card worth between $15 and $250. The scratch-off cards were described as a "mystery scratch off giveaway."
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble offered free hot coffee to any customer shopping before 10 a.m. on Black Friday. This offer did not require a purchase.
Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops provided free items to the first 200 customers in line. These included a free Santa or snowman spinner and other prizes. Additionally, the store offered a free Bass Pass for a visit with Santa and a free picture with him. Many locations also featured free crafts, games, and activities.
Cabela’s
Cabela’s offered a free prize to the first 600 customers in line.
Field & Stream
Field & Stream’s promotion targeted the first 150 adults in line on both Thanksgiving and Black Friday. These individuals received a gift card and an entry into a drawing for a $500 gift card. Drawings were held live at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving, and at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Black Friday.
Fred Meyer
Fred Meyer’s freebie was a door prize gift card for the first 100 customers. The store opened at 5 a.m. on Black Friday. An unconfirmed report suggested free donuts, juice, and coffee might also be available while shopping.
Goody’s
Goody’s offered a "Giftspiration" coupon valued at $10 to the first 75 customers. Among these, two customers would receive a larger gift card valued at either $250 or $50. Additionally, one customer on Thursday could receive either a 4-foot teddy bear or a Pelican premium cooler.
Half Price Books
Half Price Books provided a free tote bag and a $5 gift card to the first 100 customers. One of the tote bags contained a $100 gift card.
JCPenney
JCPenney distributed coupons to customers who were present when doors opened. The coupons included $500 off a $500 purchase, $100 off a $100 purchase, or $10 off a $10 purchase.
Petco
Petco offered a free pair of cat or dog antlers with any purchase on Friday and Saturday.
CVS Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy ran an offer valid from November 23 to November 25. The store was open on both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.
Bon-Ton and Boston Store
Bon-Ton and Boston Store (which may be related entities) offered a free gift card valued between $5 and $500 to the first 200 customers on Thursday.
Fry’s Electronics
Fry’s Electronics offered week-long freebies valid from November 19 to November 25.
Sweepstakes and No-Purchase-Necessary Entries
Some 2017 Black Friday promotions were structured as sweepstakes, providing optional methods of entry without a purchase, though certain prizes were linked to credit card use.
AAFES Exchange Sweepstakes
The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) conducted a sweepstakes from November 1 to December 31, 2017. Every use of a MILITARY STAR card during this period automatically entered the user for a chance to win prizes. The grand prize paid the winner’s MILITARY STAR bill in full (for five winners), with second and third prizes of $1,000 and $500, respectively. The terms indicated that there must be optional ways to enter without making a purchase. However, a notable detail was that if a winner of the grand prize had no credit card balance, they might receive no financial benefit from that specific prize.
Categorization of Freebies
The freebies offered in 2017 can be broadly categorized based on their nature and requirements.
Free After Purchase
- Petco: Free cat or dog antlers with any purchase.
- JCPenney: Coupons (e.g., $500 off $500) required a purchase to redeem, though the coupon itself was a free giveaway.
Free with No Purchase Necessary
- Barnes & Noble: Free hot coffee before 10 a.m.
- Bass Pro Shops: Free spinner, Santa pass, and picture (prizes for first in line; activities were generally free).
- Cabela’s: Free prize for first in line.
- Field & Stream: Gift card and sweepstakes entry for first in line.
- Fred Meyer: Free gift card for first in line; unconfirmed free donuts/juice/coffee.
- Goody’s: Free coupon and chance at larger gift cards or items for first in line.
- Half Price Books: Free tote bag and gift card for first in line.
Free Gift Cards and Coupons
Many giveaways were in the form of gift cards or discount coupons, distributed as door prizes or sweepstakes prizes: * Belk: Gift cards ($5-$1,000) and scratch-off cards ($15-$250). * Bon-Ton / Boston Store: Gift cards ($5-$500). * Field & Stream: Gift cards and a $500 gift card drawing. * Fred Meyer: Gift cards. * Goody’s: Gift cards ($250 or $50). * Half Price Books: Gift card ($5). * JCPenney: Discount coupons ($500 off $500, $100 off $100, $10 off $10).
Free Product Samples and Trial Offers
The provided source material does not contain specific information about free product samples for categories like beauty, baby care, health, food, or household goods in the context of 2017 Black Friday. The freebies documented are primarily retail-based giveaways, gift cards, and food/beverage items (coffee, donuts) rather than mail-in samples or no-cost product trials.
Important Considerations for Shoppers
Based on the 2017 promotions, several key factors influenced the ability to obtain freebies:
- Timing: Many freebies were limited to the first customers in line, often requiring arrival hours before store opening. For example, Belk’s gift cards were for the first 250 customers at 4 p.m. on Thursday, and Field & Stream’s giveaway was for the first 150 adults in line.
- Geographic and Store Variability: Promotions were subject to store participation and local availability. The sources advise checking local ad scans for accuracy and verifying the end time of deals in specific areas.
- Supply Limits: Offers were frequently described as "while quantities last" or "to the first X customers," indicating limited supply.
- Payment Methods: One source noted the potential benefit of using credit cards with 5% rotating cash rewards during the fourth quarter of 2017 to maximize savings on purchases made alongside freebie hunting.
Conclusion
The 2017 Black Friday freebie landscape was characterized by retailer-specific door prizes, early-bird gift card giveaways, and limited-time food and beverage offers. Promotions from stores like Belk, Barnes & Noble, Bass Pro Shops, and Field & Stream required early arrival and were often limited to the first few hundred customers. While sweepstakes like the AAFES Exchange offered no-purchase entry methods, other freebies were tied to store opening times or specific purchase requirements. Shoppers interested in such promotions in future years should monitor official retailer advertisements closely, as offers, quantities, and eligibility rules can change annually. The available data for 2017 does not indicate a significant presence of traditional mail-in product samples or no-cost trial programs associated with the Black Friday event, focusing instead on in-store giveaways and gift card distributions.