Free samples: to charge or not to charge? That is the question!
Post 1 of 107
Many members in our forums have expressed concerns about potential fraud traps. Some members believe that asking potential customers to pay for samples is a good way to prevent fraudulent activity.
However, other members claim that, due to intense competition, free samples are an invaluable way to attract potential customers. What do you think?
Should samples be free or not?
Should samples be free or not?
30 Aug 2007 22:36
Post 2 of 107
Replying to [Egernia]:
Hi! Giving free samples and not charging for freight is a must but before doing so, a supplier must qualify the buyer.
By not giving free samples and absorbing the freight cost may cost the supplier to lose a potential client. Of course, a new client would not ask for a machine sample. Samples like SD Cards, mice and PVC Resins do not cost much.
It is the risk that a supplier should take.
My company does not charge for samples because all our clients are referred to us. Yes, you may say that we are lucky. It all started with giving free samples and absorbing the freight cost which amounts to nothing,
The policy of refunding the freight cost upon the potential client placing an order is a no-go way of marketing your products. A supplier cannot put a potential client under duress. Many a time, it may not be that your sample is not acceptable, It's the price.
For those who have the above policy, you will be losing a lot of potential clients who are genuine.
Hi! Giving free samples and not charging for freight is a must but before doing so, a supplier must qualify the buyer.
By not giving free samples and absorbing the freight cost may cost the supplier to lose a potential client. Of course, a new client would not ask for a machine sample. Samples like SD Cards, mice and PVC Resins do not cost much.
It is the risk that a supplier should take.
My company does not charge for samples because all our clients are referred to us. Yes, you may say that we are lucky. It all started with giving free samples and absorbing the freight cost which amounts to nothing,
The policy of refunding the freight cost upon the potential client placing an order is a no-go way of marketing your products. A supplier cannot put a potential client under duress. Many a time, it may not be that your sample is not acceptable, It's the price.
For those who have the above policy, you will be losing a lot of potential clients who are genuine.
01 Oct 2007 15:03
Post 3 of 107
Replying to [Egernia]:
I found your opinion very useful. Buyer should pay for samples, at least courier charges if product is not precious. In my opinion, buyer should book his shipment through DHL to collect sample from supplier.
As I am new commer, I experienced, no reply after sample, so I can't afford courier charges plus sample cost.
Thanks.
I found your opinion very useful. Buyer should pay for samples, at least courier charges if product is not precious. In my opinion, buyer should book his shipment through DHL to collect sample from supplier.
As I am new commer, I experienced, no reply after sample, so I can't afford courier charges plus sample cost.
Thanks.
02 Oct 2007 22:20
Post 5 of 107
Replying to [Admin]:samples should be free but the transport from seller to buyer could be for buyer.
However this rule of mine ( I am buyer and seller ) applies to relatively small products of little value.
Things could be different if one talks about big volumes and or high priced products.
But in general both sides must cointribute to a possible business relation, therefore seller submits its samples for free and buyer pays for the DHL/ TNT / etc. costs
However this rule of mine ( I am buyer and seller ) applies to relatively small products of little value.
Things could be different if one talks about big volumes and or high priced products.
But in general both sides must cointribute to a possible business relation, therefore seller submits its samples for free and buyer pays for the DHL/ TNT / etc. costs
09 Oct 2007 03:27
Post 6 of 107
Replying to [Admin]: It obviously depends upon the value of the samples, cost for shipping, and how serious the potential buyer is. I asked four suppliers for samples, three made us pay for shipping, one sent them free. We ended up going with the one who sent them for free. Their quality was better, they seemed more eager to have our business, and they were the second-to-cheapest supplier. (so we didn't just go with the cheapest)
10 Oct 2007 08:15
Post 7 of 107
Replying to [Admin]:
samples should be provided free as long as they are not to big and expensive![[em3]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_grin.gif)
samples should be provided free as long as they are not to big and expensive
16 Oct 2007 05:34
Post 8 of 107
Replying to [Admin]:when I saw "to charge ,or not to charge",the sentence "to be or not to be "comes to my mind quickly.but I think these are both a big question.you know ,it is really an attractive way not to charge the samples in the past,but now it is almost a bit difficult to do it ,as the suppliers need to pay the cost.ok.let's get down to the basic quesiton,if the buyers need to text the quality of the products,then I will probably say the buyers should pay the cost.but what is they two are good business partners,just forget it ,let the supplier pay for it .when it is a new client that asks you to send a sample free of charge(they should be very interested in your products)then you can send them free of charge.
ok,These are all my opinions.
ok,These are all my opinions.
16 Oct 2007 23:57
Post 9 of 107
Replying to [Egernia]:
Thank you very much for your point, I do hope that buyers can accepte sample charge from suppliers and donot be annoyed for this requirement.
Thank you very much for your point, I do hope that buyers can accepte sample charge from suppliers and donot be annoyed for this requirement.
17 Oct 2007 00:16
Post 10 of 107
Replying to [Admin]:I think it depends on the value and freight of the sample.
20 Oct 2007 01:34
Post 11 of 107
Replying to [Admin]: I though the term FREE actually meant FREE, we have to learn how to trust people again, we are so ready for someone to disappoint us that we knock them down before they are given a chance.
I say don't charge them...
I say don't charge them...
21 Oct 2007 06:49