Fergus is dead right - they love giving them away. Bayer may not be the cheapest strips, but they give them free and have good back up. 24 hour nurse helpline, free replacement of everything (batteries, diaries, replacements if it goes wrong) Can ring them on 0845 600 6030. Give them the yarn fergus gave you. Get the "contour" model, comes with free initial supply of 25 strips (mine did anyway) I even entered a "competition" for a free meter, got a package saying "you didn't win, but here's one anyway" so now I have 2! :thumbup: They may start with "don't normally give them.....", so just say "ok, wanted to use Bayer because I heard they're good, but I'll have to get another cheaper one...." They'll come round.