I've been through the whole gamut of samples, from highschool student claiming to be a company, to college student asking for a sample for my senior design project (telling the truth), to (eventually) working for a company that was so successful that asking for a sample brings immediate offers of a visiting sales teams baring presentations and design assistance (and I carefully tell them that no, this is for a hobbyist project and not for the latest company product.) In most cases, the truth works just fine and companies are happy to send you samples; all things considered, it's cheaper than most forms of advertising, and a lot more effective because it reaches the people with a genuine interest in the part. (and I've a fond place in my heart as well for companies whose "free drawing" at trade shows are actually for THEIR products instead of some ge-gaw of the day (iPods are popular; I've even won one. I'd rather have the STK-500 or the Rayven, thank you very much...))