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Graphics-Illustrations

Free and commercial photo overlays, Photoshop brushes, clip art and visual artworks by bSilvia.

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“A free gift”? What kind of phrase is that?

I was browsing the net, minding my own business the other day, when I ran into one more commercial that uses the stupidest phrase ever used in marketing copy: “Free gift inside!“. Again and again and again they insult us consumers with this nonsense phrase! There are variations – as you know. Sometimes it’s “We’ll send you a free gift” of “Free bonus!“.

The word bonus implies that it’s free otherwise it would not be a bonus. It would be just a normal payable product or service. Gee!

Free gift. Hey! C’mon!? What’s this? Are we, consumers, so stupid? Are marketers trying to convince us that gifts should usually be payed for? Like: “Yo, dad, c’mon buy me a gift for birthday, I’ll pay you for that.” How silly is that???

But, no! Marketing copywriters are constantly emphasizing the “Free gift inside!” phrase. Wow! A gift? And it’s free??? Hey!

Can’t they just say: “Buy this and we’ll send you a gift.” Why to they need to push the “free” word, like, just about everywhere??? Soon, in restaurants we’ll hear: “Order a soup and we’ll rent you a spoon and the plate – for free!” Just for the sake of pushing the word “free” in the sentence.

It’s just so annoying. I had to share it with you. And I’ll make a promise. I will never never offer a “free gift” when you buy Photoshop brushes or vectors, or scrapbook kits from me. I will present you with a gift. Normal gift. We all know what the word “gift” means. I don’t know about you, but I hate the BS.

P.S.
Gift – something given voluntarily without payment in return (dictionary.reference.com).

P.P.S.
Ha! You just thought there will be no gift for you. Haven’t you?

Let me present you with a Gift – Retro Shapes Photoshop Brushes set

[ PREVIEW ] || [ DOWNLOAD ]

FREE Retro Shapes Photoshop Brushes set

Brushes are compatible with Photoshop 7.0, CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5… (and new versions), but also with the Photoshop Elements 6.0. I hope you’ll like it and – have fun creating!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  7. Webgrrl says

    i Love all your brushes – you are so talented..and generous.. I hope to buy many of your packages soon… (first i have to find a place.and move..) when im settled and get into my designing/art..

  10. Maria says

    Thank you!! I’ve had so many comments about my new blog design! Hope lots more people have found their way here as a result!

    Maria

  11. Patamomma says

    I agree with the whole free gift business. Silly people! I love the preview of your brushes. Wondering if you would consider doing them as png for those of us not using photoshop? Thanks for all your hard work. Patty

  13. LadyAngora says

    yeah, marketing terms in general really bug me… unfortunately, if they don’t say ‘free’ people assume that they want more from them (like their souls) before they’d actually send them a ‘gift’… thanks for using the word ‘gift’ properly in your blog! 🙂 no ‘free’ necessary!

  16. PhyLLis says

    I love my “gift that is free because I don’t have to pay for it” – BUT WAIT!!! Because it’s free and I really, really do like it, I am going to say “thanks so much” ’cause it could have been $19.95 + S&H and I could have gotten another one “free” if I just paid S&H (if you have to pay anything then I guess it really isn’t “free”, is it?) I’m so glad you have a “BS-free” site and I really do sincerely thank you for this great brush set!

  18. Patamomma says

    OMG! I love this community. I just learned how to convert the ABR file to pngs! I found the tut at the CU Freebie Site quite by accident, and was so excited that I have already changed two sets into pngs, and came back here to get your really great brushes, and I see that you were sweet enough to lead me to the answer also. My only regret is the many brushes I have deleted because I didn’t know how to convert them….. Won’t happen anymore though. Yay! Patty

  19. Linda Walton aka bobbysgirlforever (Bon Scrapatit Designs) says

    Silvia dearest, you a such a HOOT to read, but you speak THE TRUTH!!!

    Thank you SO much for this LOVELY gift and I appreciate ALL that you are doing for ALL of us in SCRAPLAND!!!

    I just caught Maria’s comment above and just checked in at Digi Free and saw her new attire, but did not make the connection in that she has used your brushes!!! It is WAY past my bedtime and I’m not REAL alert at the moment!!!

    Have a GORGEOUS day darlin’!

    Hugs,
    Linda 🙂

  20. Brooke - in Oregon says

    Love the retro brushes, thanks! And your commentary on ‘free gift inside’ was right on the money! ha ha it must work though because so many marketing companies use it. We are a silly bunch of creatures! lol

  22. twoboyz00 says

    These brushes are great! Thank you so much for the wonderful gift. I enjoyed your commentary about “free gifts”.

  24. theslyestfox says

    i was really looking forward to using these brushes, but sadly when i click on “Download” i get a “404 file not found” message! what gives? it would be really great if you could fix this so we could keep downloading this great brush set!

  27. Naty says

    Thank you for these wonderful GIFTS! Loved the cats brushes too, i’m having fun with PS now! ^_^

  29. Mojca says

    Thanks Silvia, especially for the comment – you made my day today! :))) These marketing frases are really annoying, but apparently catchy 😉 Thanks for the gift, too

  31. Dalene Mukherjee says

    Hi. I just wanted to chime in to show my appreciation for the info. Please keep up the nice effort and the awesome posts rolling in!