Cloth Pads from Goddess Moons: Review and Giveaway! (Closed)

Goddess Moons is a shop based in Vancouver which specializes in hand made cloth menstrual pads, panty liners and postpartum products. The owner, Melissa, firmly believes that the time for cloth pads to be accepted by the masses is long overdue, as cloth is more comfortable, cooler, healthier, affordable and economical, and safer to the environment.

I discovered Goddess Moons while searching for Canadian mama cloth retailers (as part of my quest to try different types of cloth during my latest postpartum period) and was impressed by the variety of sizes and styles offered as well as the company's drive to build awareness of cloth as an alternative to disposable feminine hygiene products. Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear back directly from Melissa who generously offered to send me a variety of samples to review!

I received four pads and two inserts, all in the Wildside Goddess style (one of eight beautiful themes available). I was particularly eager to try out the samples with the inserts, as this was the first time I'd come across this mama cloth feature.

Two of the samples are from their regular range, and two are from their new Stronger range which was developed to meet the needs of women passionate about using cloth, but who feel that their flow is far beyond the capabilities of cloth alone.

First, I received a daytime pad with a heavy flow insert from their regular range.

Goddess Moon wings have pockets at both ends designed to hold inserts in place. They are approximately 9 inches long by 5 1/2 inches wide, and are formed with 2 layers of flannel and a core of organic cotton/bamboo batting.

Goddess Moon Inserts are approximately 8 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide.

• a heavy flow insert is made from 1 layer of flannel, 4 layers of organic cotton/bamboo batten, and one layer of 100% cotton.

Next, a night time pad from their regular range.

Night Time Pads are approximately 12 inches long by 3 1/2 inches wide, and contain 1 layer of flannel, 4 layers of organic cotton/bamboo batting, and 1 layer of 100% cotton.

Third, a daytime pad from their Stronger range.

 

Goddess Moon Stronger wings have pockets at both ends designed to hold inserts in place. They are approximately 12 inches long by 6 inches wide, and are formed with 2 layers of flannel and a core of organic cotton/bamboo batting. Goddess Moon Stronger inserts are approximately 11 inches long by 3 inches wide.

• a Stronger insert is made from 1 layer of flannel, 4 layers of organic cotton/bamboo batten, and one layer of 100% cotton.  It also has a backing of PUL (polyurethane laminate).

Finally, a night time pad from their Stronger range.

 

Stronger night time pads are approximately 13.5 inches long by 8 inches wide (including wings), and contain 1 layer of flannel, 4 layers of organic cotton/bamboo batten, and 1 layer of 100% cotton.  They also have a backing of PUL (polyurethane laminate).  PUL should not be ironed as it will reduce its water-resistance.

All of these samples share the following care guidelines: 

When washing and drying, avoid high temperatures and avoid the use of softeners, whiteners or any other unnecessary additives.


My Review:

First things first - I love the animal print patterns in the samples I received! Very unique and attractive. From a tactile standpoint, both the flannel and cotton surfaces of all pads are pleasant to the touch, with the cotton having a cool feel. The night pads and inserts feel spongey when pressed, due to the layers of cotton/bamboo batting in each one. Melissa mentioned that the use of batting allows for better airflow than thinner, denser pads on the market, though it also results in a little extra girth.

I checked the initial measurements of all pads and inserts, and each was within 1/2" of its product description (or matched exactly) so this was good to see! I decided to prep along with my cloth diaper laundry which admittedly went against the recommended guideline to avoid high temperatures (as my CD routine involves one hot wash cycle). As a result, the pads and inserts shrank a little (1/4" to 3/4" for each measurement) which had me concerned they would no longer fit right. Indeed, the snapped together width did become a little narrower causing the fabric of my underwear to fold over a bit in the middle, however thankfully this didn't appear to affect comfort nor performance. (More on this in a bit.) All in all, I'd say my own personal preference is to wash on hot and endure some shrinkage as I like the sanitization factor of a li'l heat, however if maintaining the pre-wash sizing is super-important to you, you'd obviously want to follow the recommended guidelines.

Back to comfort. First, these pads definitely feel much nicer than disposables - no question there! The added thickness can be noticed compared to trimmer cloth pads, however it's not really an unpleasant feeling. The pads feel "pillowy" as opposed to just thick and bulky; again, presumably due to the inner batting. The night time postpartum pad does feel quite large, however there's no getting around this. It's all about function in this case, right ladies? :) Second, once snapped these pads stay in place really well. The only slight shifting I noticed was with the day pad, which appears to secure a little looser allowing it to move up and down a bit at times with moderate activity. This may have just been my own sample, however.

Performance-wise, these pads (and inserts) are awesome! They all appear to draw liquid lengthwise so it stays aways from the outer edges, which is key. The three largest samples (particularly the Stronger night time pad) can hold a heck of a lot of flow. I wore each of these at least once overnight during my first two weeks postpartum and didn't have a single leak. The Stronger night time pad could have probably held 2-3 times the amount so would definitely be an option for those with very heavy postpartum or menstrual flow. I'd even feel comfortable next time around (if there is a next time!) wearing it the very first night postpartum. Seriously!!

A little more on the design of the two day pads. The 2-part system is pretty neat! The base pad can be used alone as a panty liner to handle very light flow, or with an insert to add more protection. For the regular day pads, Goddess Moons offers both light flow inserts (with 2 layers of batting) and heavy flow inserts (with 4 layers of batting), so protection can be customized as applicable. The day pads in the Stronger line come with heavy flow inserts exclusively. Similar to all-in-two cloth diapers, if an insert alone gets soiled you can replace it with a clean one and reuse the base pad. This approach is more cost-effective as you can stock up on inserts and purchase fewer "shells". That said, my own personal preference is to wash both the base pad and insert together when the insert gets soiled, but I'm a bit Type A about these things. :)

All in all, Goddess Moons certainly offers some nifty mama cloth options! Their pads are breathable, perform well, allow for customized protection (via the 2-part system) and come in an array of lovely patterns. I recommend the Stronger line in particular for postpartum and strong menstrual flow. This is some heavy-duty cloth!! I also applaud the company for their commitment to spreading awareness of mama cloth as a greener alternative to disposable products. As for drawbacks, the pads are prone to shrinkage when exposed to heat (though they remain entirely wearable) and they're a bit on the bulky side, but these criticisms are minor. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend Goddess Moons for those venturing into mama cloth, or looking to expand their collections!

Buy It:

You can purchase Goddess Moons cloth menstrual pads, postpartum products and other accessories directly from their website or via several third party retailers. Use the special discount code m2mgm on their website and receive 10% off your order! (Good until March 8, 2013.)


Win It: 

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win a 4-pack of panty liners from Goddess Moons! Winner chooses from among available styles. Open worldwide!

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Goddess Moons.  I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample item free of charge.  This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.

Mama Cloth from Stitched by Hand {Etsy}: Review & Giveaway! (Closed)

Before CJ's arrival, I decided I was going to try out cloth pads (or "Mama Cloth") during my postpartum period. Like cloth diapers, mama cloth comes in all sorts of styles, sizes, materials and patterns, so I was happy to get the opportunity to partner with two different brands to review their offerings.

The first brand I worked with was Stitched by Hand, an Etsy shop owned by mama of 6 (soon to be 7!) and former blogger Holly. This lady is one talented seamstress; in addition to mama cloth, Holly also offers nursing pads, crocheted hats, natural teethers, stuffed baby toys and other hand-stitched goodies. I partnered with Holly previously to review an adorable crocheted owl hat (which S still wears today!) and giraffe stuffy toy. This time around, Holly sent me three different cloth pads to try out. She generously threw in a pair of nursing pads too!

Holly always packages up her orders minimally but attractively. Love it!

Here are the three cloth pads, right side up and upside down. Notice they are all different sizes, shapes, patterns and materials yet use the same type of snap closure. From what I've seen so far (from Stitched by Hand and other mama cloth sellers), the vast majority of cloth pads use this snap closure/attachment method.

Let's look at each pad in a little more detail.

First, the Organic Bamboo Velour Overnight / Postpartum Mama Cloth.

This pad is made with super soft organic bamboo velour on top for a total pampered luxurious feel, a double inner layer of French Terry for absorbency, and backed with a layer of waterproof PUL to ensure no leaks with the fewest possible layers for less bulk. Each pad is turned and top stitched allowing for the most comfortable fit, and has a "channel" sewn in the center to help direct the flow towards the middle of the pad, and not overflowing towards the edges.

Measuring approximately 12 inches long, and 3-4 inches wide on the padded part itself, the snappable wings help hold the pad in place and offer even more protection. The wider ends on this style work wonderfully for a heavier flow, and it's extra length makes it the perfect overnight or post-partum pad. (Choose backing color from: pink, dark blue, seaspray, yellow, or red)

Second, the Extra Coverage Mama cloth in the Funky Flower print:

This pad is made with 100% cotton flannel on top, an inner layer of French Terry for absorbency, and backed with a layer of waterproof PUL to ensure no leaks with the fewest possible layers for less bulk. Each pad is turned and top stitched allowing for the most comfortable fit, and has a "channel" sewn in the center to help direct the flow towards the middle of the pad, and not overflowing towards the edges.

Measuring approximately 10 inches long, and 3 inches wide on the padded part itself, the snappable wings help hold the pad in place and offer even more protection. The wider ends on this style work wonderfully for a heavier flow.


Finally, the Evening Butterfly Mama Cloth:

This style has the same product description as the extra coverage version, however does not have the wider ends so it's more suitable for a regular/lighter flow.

All of these pads have the same laundering/care directions:

For best care, pre-rinse with water and oxy or hydrogen peroxide to prevent staining, and wash on normal cycle with your other laundry. May machine dry.

Holly also offers pads in a minky fabric, if you're looking for some extra-fluffy protection! :)


My Review - Mama Cloth:

Upon opening my package, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the cloth pads were smaller and trimmer than I anticipated. As a total newbie, I guess I had this idea that mama cloth would be bulkier than disposable pads - similar to the size ratio of cloth diapers to 'sposies. But this isn't the case at all - at least not with Holly's cloth! All three pads are actually much thinner than disposable pads designed for heavy flow/postpartum use.

Prior to laundering, I took measurements and all items were quite close to description for length. I decided to measure the wing span for width rather than the tip. Here's what I recorded:

Overnight/Postpartum: 13 x 6 1/4 "
Extra Coverage: 10 1/4 x 7 1/4 "
Regular: 9 3/4 x 7 1/2 "
Breast pad: 4 1/4 ish

I prepped the pads by laundering once with my cloth diapers (including a hot wash cycle and medium dry). All items came out perfectly - no shrinking, fading or wrinkling. I re-measured a couple of them just to check, and indeed, they still had the same dimensions.

So now the important details - ease of use, comfort/fit and performance!

All of the mama cloth pads are easy to put on - just place, snap underneath and you're done! No fiddling around with throwaway parts and sticky, awkward wings like you get with disposables. All pads are also super soft and comfy to wear - again, a welcome contrast to the papery, rough feel of 'sposies. The postpartum pad feels particularly luxurious with its organic bamboo velour outer. All pads have been cut to a perfect width for a "standard" pair of underwear so there's no jutting out, bunching or pinching of material.

Performance-wise, I was impressed by how much flow all of the pads could handle! I started wearing my mama cloth 3 days postpartum, as I felt more comfortable wearing those pseudo-diapers to contend with the initial super-heavy flow. So I'd say my flow was similar to a heavy period when I started wearing my mama cloth. I mainly used the postpartum pad overnight but I was able to use the other two during the day for at least 2-3 hours at a time. True to description, each pad directs flow along the core and not out toward the edges, providing an effective guard against leaks. All in all, I felt very confident wearing these pads!

The only usage issue I noted is that, with a lot of movement/activity, the larger two pads can shift so that one or both ends are hanging off the side a bit. My guess is that this isn't a problem with Holly's design so much as a challenge with cloth pads in general, since they attach via a single middle snap vs. disposables which stick right down in one spot. This was only a minor nuisance, however.

As for care & maintenance, I rinsed each pad after wearing, stored them in a small wetbag and then laundered them with my regular loads - both cloth diapers and clothing. The pads have generally washed out well, though some minor staining has developed on the postpartum one. Admittedly I haven't used any pre-rinse agents so this probably could have been prevented with a li'l more TLC. Not a huge deal, though, and the staining could probably still be sunned out.

All in all, I love my Stitched by Hand mama cloth from and will definitely use it again when "Aunty Flo" returns! The pads are all sewn extremely well and the material appears to be quite hardy, so I'd expect them to last at least a few years - possibly all the way to the Big M!


As I mentioned earlier, Holly also sent me a pair of nursing pads, in the same Evening Butterfly print as the extra coverage pad.

 

These nursing pads are made with 100% cotton flannel on top, an inner layer of French Terry for absorbency, and backed with a layer of waterproof PUL to ensure no leaks with the fewest possible layers for less bulk and breathability. Each pad has sheared edges (so slight fraying after washing is normal) and top stitched allowing for the most comfortable fit.

Pads measure approximately 4 inches, and come in a set of two.


My Review - Nursing Pads:

Similar to the mama cloth, these nursing pads are also very trim, and slightly smaller in diameter than other cloth nursing pads I've used. They fit nicely into the cups of my nursing bras and lie flat & smooth so it's difficult to detect that they're on. I do usually wear a bra with a molded insert which fully conceals any nursing pad, however it's good to know these ones are virtually seamless when worn with an unmolded bra as well! As for leakage absorption, the pads do a fine job - no issues here!  I was a bit concerned when I noticed the outer edges beginning to fray following the 2nd or 3rd wash, but Holly reassured me that this is normal and expected. The fraying results in a natural look which is her "signature", and the double zig-zag stitching prevents the pads from coming apart. (Obviously I didn't read the product description close enough as this characteristic is mentioned right in there - oops! I'll claim Baby Brain on this one! ;) Overall, these are trim, well-performing nursing pads with a funky touch - definitely recommended!


Buy It:

To purchase some mama cloth, nursing pads and/or other hand-stitched goodies of your own, head over to Stitched by Hand and shop to your heart's concent! Use the special discount code M2M10 and receive 10% off your order! (Note: Etsy policies apply to all purchases.)


Win It:

Holly has offered to give away 2 Mama Cloth pads from Stitched by Hand to one lucky Manager to Mom reader! Winner chooses from among available styles, materials and patterns. Open to CAN/US.

To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Please follow all instructions within each entry option to ensure your entries are valid.  


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Stitched by Hand.  I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample items free of charge.  This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.  

Mama Cloth, here I come!

I once read that "cloth diapers are the gateway drug of green parenting" and I have to say, after 2 years of CDing our daughter, this is bang on. Cloth diapering has opened my eyes to the fact that there are a plethora of other reusable alternatives to personal and household items that most commonly come in a disposable form - for example, cloth wipes, (un)paper towels, coffee filters, straws, wrapping "paper" and, yes indeed, feminine hygiene products.

My first foray into a reusable option for contending with Aunt Flo was The DivaCup, which I had the opportunity to review this past winter (in the nick of time - got to use it for a single period and then boom, Li'l Man decided he was ready to start camping out down there!) The DivaCup is a specific brand of menstrual cup, which is one main type of reusable monthly solution. The other type is cloth menstrual pads or, as they are often affectionately referred to as, "Mama Cloth". So basically menstrual cups are the reusable equivalent of tampons (an internal solution) and cloth pads are the reusable equivalent of disposable pads (an external solution). 

I did have a positive experience with the DivaCup in the limited time I got to try it and certainly plan to use it again when my regular cycle returns, however I've been eager to try "Mama Cloth" as well for a few reasons:

1. A menstrual cup (such as my DivaCup) is not an appropriate solution for postpartum bleeding, which I'll obviously be contending with shortly!
2. The DivaCup does take some time to insert, remove and clean. As such, I feel like I would likely prefer cloth pads at times when I'm in a hurry, when I'm out and about, on lighter flow days, etc.
3. Cloth pads come in the coolest variety of styles, patterns and textures! Similar to cloth diapering, I can see it becoming almost addictive trying a bunch of different varieties. :)
4. Menstrual cups have recommended replacement guidelines (e.g., one year for the DivaCup) whereas cloth pads should last much longer than this, assumimg they're well-made and cared for properly.

During my postpartum period, I'll be getting the opportunity to review various brands and styles of "Mama Cloth" from a few different vendors, and you'll be getting the opportunity to enter and win some of your own! Stay tuned. :)

Curious to hear - how many of you have already tried mama cloth? Love it? Hate it? What about menstrual cups? Feel free to share your preferences and your stories! :)

The DivaCup Review & Giveaway! (Closed)

Along with cloth diapering, eco-friendly cleaning and healthier, more sustainable food choices, another "green" step I've been eager to take is switching to a reusable solution for my period. I first discovered there were many alternatives to throwaway pads and tampons early last year when I began entering blog giveaways, and I was certainly interested in giving 'em all a try! And then came The Tale of the Moldy Tampon - even further incentive that it was time to ditch those disposables. (Yuck!!)

One of the products I came across that I was most intrigued about was The DivaCup. Simply put, it's a reusable silicone cup which is worn inside the vagina during a woman's menstrual cycle to collect fluid. Various other brands offer a similar product, however The DivaCup appears to be among the most popular and well-reviewed, plus it's made right here in Canada! Since first discovering The DivaCup, I've learned that several people I know personally (my naturopath and a coworker, to name a couple) use the product and LOVE it!

As it turned out, I had to wait awhile to try one out for myself as dear ol' AF decided to delay her return until over 13 months after our daughter was born. When she finally announced her arrival earlier this year, I wasted no time contacting the folks at The DivaCup to see if they'd be interested in partnering on a review/giveaway. Lo and behold, they were. Yay!!!

Before I get into my own experiences with the DivaCup, let's look at some product details.

First of all, the DivaCup comes in two sizes. Size 1 is for women under 30 years old and who have never given birth, and Size 2 is for women over 30 years old and/or who have given birth. Model 2 is slightly larger in diameter than Model 1, though both are approximately the same length.

The cup comes with a handy little drawstring storage bag, keeping it clean & dry between uses.

When inserted properly, the DivaCup cannot be felt and can safely be worn for up to 12 hours (including overnight) for a completely leak-free experience. It is worn low in the vagina (not near the cervix) so it is easy to remove. Finally, it is made from durable top quality, healthcare-grade silicone that is free of latex, plastic and BPA. More information can be found on the Product Features and comprehensive FAQs section of the DivaCup website.

All that sounds pretty good in theory, right? So the big question - how did everything work out when put to the test?

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous at first. I'd read a few reviews and forum posts from women who'd had some difficulties, at least getting used to things initially. And lemme tell you, I'm not the most physically adept person myself. Given all this, I was pleasantly surprised to discovered that my own learning curve wasn't steep at all!

To keep things organized, I'm going to break down my experiences (and the review in general) into four sections: Insertion, Wear, Removal and Cleaning/Maintenance.

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Insertion

My first thought upon studying the cup was "How the heck am I supposed to get this thing in?" It's not the tiniest li'l doohickey, after all. (Note - I received a Size 2 given I'm a mama and, yup, the other "condition" is true too! :)

Thankfully, the product directions (which are quite clear and easy-to-follow) quickly solved this "mystery". You first pinch the cup into a u-shape which makes the whole thing narrower and more solid.

As you insert the pinched cup, you rotate it at the same time which causes it to unfold and maneuver itself into the right spot. You continue to insert until the cup has fully reopened, the "stem" is at (or just inside) your vaginal opening and you can't really feel anything. All in all, I was happy to find the insertion process quite easy, and I was readily able to gauge when the cup was in the right spot.

Wear

The DivaCup is, indeed, very comfortable to wear when it is properly in place. Physically, it's not really noticeable at all, though doing a kegel makes you go, oh yeah, there is something in there. :) I did find I was quite mentally aware of it the first few times I wore it, but that's probably expected because, well, I had something new hangin' out within a very sensitive bodily area! But this awareness lessened with each subsequent usage.

Apparently the length of the stem can result in a little discomfort for some women, in which case the stem can be trimmed down. I didn't find this myself, however.

As for performance, I'm happy to report no leaks so far! Granted the longest I've worn it was about 8 hours and I have yet to wear it overnight, however I don't see wearing it those extra few hours being a cause for concern, at least not for most women. The cup holds 1 ounce of fluid, and evidently the average woman flows only about 3-4 ounces during her entire cycle. My own flow is probably on the low-ish side, which was echoed by the amount I'd find in the cup upon removal - always well below the half way mark. As for activity level, while I can't vouch for its performance during scuba diving or extreme sports, The DivaCup did stay in place just fine during mild to moderate activities such as walking and household chores.

Note that while my cup didn't leak per se, I did find that a tiny amount of fluid would sometimes sneak downward, presumably because it was kicking around below the inserted cup. Given this, I did feel a little more comfortable wearing a pantyliner during the heaviest parts of my period. This will likely be something that improves as I continue getting used to the product, however.

Removal

Of all the stages, I'd say I find removal the most awkward. While it's not incredibly difficult or messy per se, it does take a little getting used to. First of all, the inclination is to pull the stem, however this isn't effective. You need to grab the base of the cup, pinch it and wiggle it a little to break the suction before the whole thing can be pulled out. I found this part a tad uncomfortable at first, but it got easier with each subsequent attempt. Second, as you're guiding it out you need to be careful to keep it upright so the fluid stays inside. Again, not an arduous task but something which requires a bit more focus than removing an absorbent device (i.e. a tampon).

Cleaning/Maintenance

This part is super-easy! To reuse, simply dump existing fluid down the toilet, wash with a natural, non-fragrance soap, rinse and you're good to go! DivaCup sells a product called The DivaWash for this purpose, however I didn't have this myself so I decided to use my daughter's body wash which appears to be working well. I've read some comments that the holes just under the rim of the cup can get clogged quite easily so special attention needs to be paid to these, however I haven't noticed a problem with this myself yet. In the event they do become clogged, a procedure for dislodging the residue is described within the Cleaning and Care section of the product's FAQs page.

While I haven't run into the following scenario, I could see the cleaning process becoming a bit awkward if a change was required in a non-empty public bathroom. I mean, most women would probably rather not deal with those inevitable curious/odd glances, though some might look at is as an educational opportunity. (I'd fall into the former group myself most often, though might dabble in the latter when feeling particularly peppy. :) In any case, carrying a small container of natural wash is a good idea for those occasions when you do need to do a public change, so that you're not forced to choose between the always-questionable bathroom soap and a water-only cleanse.

*********************************************************

All in all, based on my limited experience so far, I am definitely pleased with The DivaCup. I have found that it performs well, is easy to care for and the learning curve was surprisingly gentle. And it's great knowing that I'm no longer exposing myself to potentially dangerous chemicals and throwing out unnecessary waste with every change.  I'll definitely continue using this as my go-to "monthly solution" and will recommend it to other women looking for an alternative to 'sposies.

Before closing things out, a few comments on cost savings. The DivaCup retails for about $39.99, and the manufacturer's suggestion is to replace it once/year given it is a personal hygience product. Prior to The DivaCup, I'd estimate I was spending $6-7/month on disposable products, or around $80/year. So assuming I do replace it every year, I'm already cutting my costs in this area by close to 50%. That said, given the replacement guidelines are fairly conservative, my guess is that with proper care and maintenance, I could reuse the same cup for 1.5-2 years or longer, in which case costs savings increase up to 75% (or more). That's pretty sweet, as I'd consider saving $$ a fringe benefit on top of the more pertinent health and environmental benefits inherent in making this switch. The DivaCup website actually suggests that the average woman spends closer to $150-200/year on disposable products, which could again reflect that my own flow is lower than average (and/or that I do a particularly good job of sourcing out bargains ;). In any case, however you slice it you're definitely going to save money making this switch!


Buy It:

To purchase a DivaCup of your own, visit the "Buy Now" section of their website where you can view a list of online retailers and find a store in your area.


Win It:

One lucky Manager to Mom reader will win a DivaCup + storage bag of their own! Winner selects size.

To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Comments do not count as entries, however feel free to add a comment to remind yourself that you entered! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure:  The prize is being provided and shipped to the winner by Diva International.  I received no financial compensation for writing my review or offering this giveaway, although I did receive the sample item free of charge.  This is my completely honest opinion above and may be different from yours.