OF COURSE , It IS NOT " ÜBLICH" / "usual ", it is discrimination , exploitation , corruption of morals ,ethics + more + of course it is not "usual" ( own experiences since 1986) . More + more GERMAN companies demand from applicants ( freelancers / employee, even having long term working experiences professional education) to work for one day and / or more without salary as a test . Seidensticker send a written statement (Agency MSM Mrs. Breidenbach) + confirmed that this unlawful demand would be "usual" in fashion retail business .Others : P& C Neuss, Agency Ch. Laurich (Zara Fashion), IDEAS4 RETAIL GmbH ( Mrs.Thöne) recruiting for IMAGINARIUM S.A. ..It is " üblich" / usual for serious companies to organize e.g. for freelancer ( product consultant& sales assistant ,interviewer ) meetings ( if necessary) + distribute good information about the products and repay the expenses and /or offer further benefits . Compare :Fair trade ,sustainability , sweatshop free