I bought a car not long ago, and I got the tires for free!!! Ridiculous assertion from an idiot and a fool. Tires are an essential component of a car in order to function as transportation, and are always provided. However, there are many accessories for a car that a dealer will charge you an arm and a leg. Hundreds of dollars for floor mats. Thousands of dollars for stereo electronics. Same goes for step-up rails and roof racks, leather upholstery, GPS systems, heated mirrors and seats, etc. All can be provided as options and the dealer will overcharge you for them.
So why aren't you complaining about car manufacturers? Huh? I bought a 4x4 truck at the base price, and then purchased my accessories from 3rd parties and saved a bundle. Step-up rails, bed liner, bed extender, trailer hitch, etc. I did not complain to the car manufacturer because it is what it is! Same goes for any company selling goods. The add-ons are optional items. You don't have to purchase them to use the product. Apple is doing a service for their customers by providing an optional item for free. At no extra cost, that wasn't there before. You need to take some economic courses to catch up to the rest of us.
LOL!
When you buy something on line, and the seller gives you free shipping, do you really think you are getting something for free?
Apparently you do. That's a standard marketing tool. Weak-minded people see the word "free", and they get all excited thinking they are getting some sort of wonderful bargain.
You did actually answer my original question, however, so I thank you for that, in spite of your unfounded and irrelevant ad-hominem insults. By providing the price for that adapter, you proved that they aren't free. If Apple chose not to include the adapter, they could charge $9 less for the phone (a reduction of 1.4% off the base price of the cheapest iPhone 7).