HELOISE Charges shouldn't be attached to free gifts

Dear Heloise: I concur with a recent letter regarding the word "free" and the astronomical shipping and handling charges attached to some items.
Also, there are the "free" gifts you win from magazine-subscription companies if you purchase one or two items from their enclosed bulletins. Where do they get the audacity to say "free" when it's necessary to buy something first -- and even though you are "free" to return the items, there's the time and postage involved?
If it's free, why don't they just send it to you? As for shipping and handling charges -- I find the charges too exorbitant for the items mailed. Emily Trust, Huntsville, Ala.
We received a lot of follow-up letters like yours, and they all agree that the shipping and handling are too much for the "free" gift! Heloise
Fast facts: I have a few hints for using mesh shelf liner:
UCut the liner to fit under rugs that slide in your home.
UMy hubby cut a square to fit on top of his wooden TV tray to keep his plate from sliding.
UI line the bottom of my vegetable bins in my fridge with the liner, and when cleanup time rolls around, it's a lot easier.
UCut squares or circles to fit under dinner plates (especially for kids) at a table to keep plates from sliding. Peggy Janiszewski, Lansing
Dear Heloise: I keep a sheet of return-address labels in my car (either generated on my computer or those that I constantly receive in the mail). Whenever I return a purchase to a store, instead of filling out my name and address on the return form, I paste a label on it. Len Levin, Birmingham, Ala.
Dear Heloise: We have a fast-food restaurant here that serves the world's best cheeseburger! We love it with everything -- but what a dripping mess! If I forget to bring baby towelettes, I go to the restroom and dampen paper towels. Much better than dry napkins. Jean Adams, Rochester, N.Y.
Dear Heloise: I, too, have trouble taking large tablets. If your doctor requests it on the prescription, many medications can be dispensed in liquid form. Harriet Stanbridge, Canandaigua, N.Y.
Harriet, thanks for reminding us about this very good health hint. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Put all of your cosmetics in a plastic shoe holder and put it on the back of the bathroom door. It holds all your hair sprays, bottles of aspirin, etc. Saves lots of room. Kate, via e-mail
Sound off: About manufacturer's coupons that require you to purchase two or more of the same product: I live in a small apartment -- where am I to keep all the extra items? A reader, via e-mail
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate