I had never tasted this chocolate then I was given a sample at the F&W festival and bought a tin in Nov then in December we were in DCA and againna sample of the peppermint one so we ended up buying 2 large bags. The sampling works as I am not easily sold to but this is lovely chocolate.
I have to agree.
I had no idea what Ghirardelli was when that shop first opened in Downtown Disney. The sample sold us on buying some that day. We didn't buy a lot but we
did leave paying customers.
I'll admit I've gone back more than once over the years just for that free sample but I've also bought stuff plenty of times, too.
I don't know how long Target and Walmart (or Michael's crafts?) have carried their brand but exposure to them at Disney is what made me notice them in local stores and start buying stuff there, too, so overall, for the brand, it's been a win far beyond what they sell in that location when it comes to me, at least.
That said, maybe they felt their brand had grown enough to be recognized without the need to offer free samples to get people interested?
I don't know. I'd have been sorry to see the free samples go but at this point, it probably wouldn't have changed my buying patterns. I would never have complained about it and it's kind of funny to me that consumer outrage seems to have sparked the return of the practice.
... One of these days, I'll be there when the ice cream side isn't a madhouse and will actually try something over there...