"Give me free stuff..."

It feels like every time the subject of blogging, and particularly new bloggers, is brought up there is at least one person who suggests that most new beauty bloggers are only starting their blogs to get free PR samples.  I can't get my head round why people think this.  There might be the some blogger who starts their blogs with this sole intention but I honestly don't think it is a common occurrence.

Source

If you write a beauty type blog - or any blog, I assume - you know it does take effort.  First you have to come up with a blog name, design a header and try and make your blog look the way you want it to.  You have to come up with ideas about what to post, actually write the post, take the pictures and edit it them if you want to. If it's a review, you have to try the product out and research it so you know what you're talking about.  Why would anyone go to all that effort for the chance of a "free" mascara or moisturiser.  I'd much rather pop down to Boots and buy it myself for a LOT less effort.

There are so many beauty blogs out there and I think that people, especially some people who have been around for a lot longer, are really cynical about new blogs.  Just because some people now realize that bigger blogs get a lot of PR samples, it doesn't mean this is why they start blogging.  And if it is, I think it would come through in their posts.   Surely people can tell when someone doesn't give a shit about what they are writing and if that's the case, then why would any brand want them to talk about their product?

Do you think that there are lots of bloggers just on the prowl for free stuff?
And do you think you can tell when this is the case?