I've done some that will give out patterns....a fat quarter (usually outdated UGLY fabric)...10"sq of fabric.....buttons....spool of thread or something like that.
Last one I did in Hawaii, one of the shops gave out 12" tape measures that the holder looked like a piece of candy. Was really cute.
Another gave out needles. You just told them what kind of machine you had and you got a pack. One gave out a pattern with a fat quarter with it and you had to add the rest of the fabric.
Never heard of what the shops are doing to you.......