If you're looking for an easy way to lose weight quickly, you've probably heard about Hoodia Gordonii. Hoodia is a plant grown in the desert of South Africa. It has been used for years by the local tribesman to suppress their appetite when they go on long hunting trips. There is a molecule in it that fools your brain into thinking that you're full and so you don't want to eat.

Consequently, Hoodia can help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite and turning off your desire to overeat. In studies, people taking this miracle plant extract have cut their calorie intake by up to 1000 calories per day, which can add up to substantial weight loss.

One of the more interesting developments in the Hoodia market is that many companies are now giving out free Hoodia samples. These can range from a few days to a few weeks supply. The hope is that you are going to try their product and like it so much you'll want to continue using it.

Free Hoodia samples are not a new concept - companies give out samples all the time. Giving out free samples is a proven way to get people to know about your product, try it and get familiar with what it can do for them.

So what do you need to know before you try a free Hoodia offer? Well, there are advantages and disadvantages to most of these offers. Here's a few things you need to know before you try one:

Advantages: Free Hoodia!

Free samples come in pure Hoodia capsules, fat-burners (where other fat-burning ingredients are included like green tea, capsaicin, etc.) and even weight loss patches. Most samples give you 1 week to 1 months worth of free product for you to try.

That means you can actually see if that particular product works for you and you can probably lose some weight into the bargain - all for free (or a very small shipping/handling charge). Not a bad deal.

Disadvantages: Recurring Billing

Most free Hoodia samples will enroll you in their recurring billing program when you request your free sample. That means that if you get a free 1 month sample, probably around the time it runs out, you'll receive another 1 - 2 months supply that has automatically been charged to your credit card.

This isn't a bad thing if you really like the product as it saves you the time of reordering. Plus most recurring billing programs actually give you a discount because you've enrolled in their autoship program. So if you were going to order again anyway, you can save some money this way.

But if you decide the product is not for you, you've got to be quick to cancel before they charge you for the next months supply. This means making sure you check their terms and conditions before ordering your free sample.

When checking terms and conditions, look for a clear way (a website or a phone number) to cancel the autoshipping program. Most reputable companies put this in their FAQ's or terms and conditions section. With all of the competition on the market these days, these companies really don't want to get a bad rap. If they do they know their sales will suffer.

So those are a few things you need to know about free Hoodia samples. If you're unsure about a free sample, many websites will give you the option of trying a sample or simply buying a full bottle supply instead (this way you avoid the recurring billing program).

Just remember to follow the instructions on the Hoodia bottle and give it a few days to feel the full appetite suppressing effects. And please remember to consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.