I recently got a request for samples.This is nothing new, only this time the company requested 24pcs ea. of three different models we produce. This is a first for me since we provide a finished product not a component of a product or a product that only cost a few cents to produce.

Have others experienced similarities with a legitimate company?

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:
I've met a similar situation.
One of my customer asked for eight pcs samples. She told me because there were many customers need samples.
I agreed. But I asked for sample payment. Because our samples are not very cheap.

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:

6 samples each for 2 models of fan heater. They said they need the samples to show to different customers. Finally received their order for several containers for 1 model.

Replying to [Fei Wong]:Thanks for your reply,
Our product is not expensive retails between $10 and $20… I just don’t understand the need for 72 samples. Request was issued by a Japanese company and for one reason or another they always seem to ask for more samples than companies in other countries. At the end of the day if you get the order that’s all that matters.

Kindest Regards,

Johnny T

Replying to [tomorrowneverknow]:Thanks for your reply,
Our product is not expensive retails between $10 and $20… I just don’t understand the need for 72 samples. Request was issued by a Japanese company and for one reason or another they always seem to ask for more samples than companies in other countries. At the end of the day if you get the order that’s all that matters.

Kindest Regards,

Johnny T

Quoting from [PlantWatcher]:


Replying to [tomorrowneverknow]:Thanks for your reply,

Our product is not expensive retails between $10 and $20… I just don’t understand the need for 72 samples. Request was issued by a Japanese company and for one reason or another they always seem to ask for more samples than companies in other countries. At the end of the day if you get the order that’s all that matters.


Kindest Regards,


Johnny T

 

For a quantity of that many I would be a bit careful. Quite possible this is a "sample hunter". I would happily supply that many samples FOR PAYMENT, with the understanding that the cost would be remitted with their forst order. In other words, for that many samples I would charge them my cost price and would rebate that amount on any order they gave me....

I deal with a legitimate customer that has over 1,200 retail stores. They routinely order over 1,200 pcs of samples - one for each store manager to give feedback on before entering into production. The items are furniture so we are talking about 10x40HC of samples! Of course the customer has to pay for these. That is a pretty extreme example however.

Whether the customer is legitimate or not I think that there should never be an expectation that you provide more than one sample for free. Many companies will request three or so samples of an item for various offices or various purposes (such as for lab testing). My advice if you are offering free samples is to offer the first one free and charge for any extras.

Overall though I am of the belief that samples should not be free. By far the best way of handling samples in my opinion is to charge for the samples and offer to return that money when an order for that item comes in. That way everyone wins - you get the order, and the customer does not have to pay for the samples required to secure that order.

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:I agree with Foow. Samples hunter, beware of this kind of clients, if he really want to do business with you, he would like to pay the samples fee.

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:

Every customer has his/ her purpose when asking for samples. Of course, we, the supplier, should try our best to cooperate.

But if you find the sample cost is unbearable for you, why not ask the customer to pay for it?

If the customer is very interested in the products, and ready to purchase them, i think, he/she wouold be very glad to take it.

Replying to [PlantWatcher]:

Every customer has his/ her purpose when asking for samples. Of course, we, the supplier, should try our best to cooperate.

But if you find the sample cost is unbearable for you, why not ask the customer to pay for it?

If the customer is very interested in the products, and ready to purchase them, i think, he/she wouold be very glad to take it.

hope we can cooperate with you