I think it all depends on which kind of products or goods you are involved in and the distance between your potential customers and you .

Firstly, for low cost goods ,possibly, we should offer free samples .Normally we could ask the buyer to pay the freight charges .Because one sincere buyer will never mind this and before sending samples , we should conculde other therms such as payment, delivery ,packing. especially price. Only all these are accepted by buyer , we should send the samples for buyer's testing. Then no problem

If someone is not asking abt the price and payment term...etc.. just requst free samples .i do not think he will be going to purchase.

Quoting from [Fei Wong]:


Replying to [Admin]:

We ask for sample payment and will return to the customer after they place an order.

Seller must evaluate buyer if he is eligible for FREE sample,  it is true that there are many fraudsters hunting for FREE stuff, but they usually come from certain countries and does not have companies  registered, so it should not be a big problem to discern them from real buyers.

We are wholesale company, and it is our policy not to pay for any sample, simply because of the fact that we are dealing with broad range of merchandise we are selling it would be tremendous financial loss to pay for each sample sellers are offering to us.

If sample is not satisfactory, we return it back to seller on our expense.

Quoting from [Egernia]:


I voted that samples should not be free.


I am a buyer but I stand on the side of sellers in this regard as I see so many ‘buyers’ both taking deliberate advantage of sellers, or sometimes just requesting samples that are not really needed just because they are free.


Charging for samples adds accountability in my opinion.


If suppliers are charging for samples then they need to do a better job at ensuring that samples are produced on time and well. Also they need to ensure that they are packaged well to protect against damage during transport.


Charging for samples puts an end to individuals who are sample hunting to make a quick buck.


Charging for samples ensures that genuine buyers respect the costs associated with samples as they are now covering these costs. Samples are required of course but at least the buyer will only order what he or she really needs.


I fully support the practice of sample costs upfront with the money returned upon an order being placed. I think that this creates a win-win for the buyer and the seller and it also helps to strengthen trust between both parties. Trust is what this business is all about.

may paid by clients if your sample is not expensive

Quoting from [EAX666]:

Quoting from [Fei Wong]:



Replying to [Admin]:


We ask for sample payment and will return to the customer after they place an order.

I agree with this. 1st , it depending on products,   luxury products should not be free.

2nd, depending on the buyers , wether you have any cooperate experience before

3d, up to the buyers countries,  culture problems

"that the day of free samples is almost gone"

i love your comment

Quoting from [Hal2040]:


Replying to [Admin]:

Hello;

Regarding samples; the suppliers should be aware that importers pay (Custom Dutie+Sales Taxes) on the shipping costs for these samples (even if free) when they arrive the destination countries.

For example, a free sample of a stand fan that costs $7 -shipped by sea-, I pay for it $8 (30% duties X 10% sales tax applied on total of estimated cost+all freight cost). If shipped by air, the amount is $ 27, which is far more expensive than the cost of $7 which I did not pay to the factory!!!

Charging for samples or not charging is not really the issue here!

The real issue is for factories which make the paid samples EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE than their asking selling price!

For example, an item that they would sell for you at $50, the sample for it is , say, $60...why??? I do not deal at all with factories that have such a sample pricing policy, because the 2 following reasons:-

1) They make costs for inspecting their products really expensive anf this high cost is automatically entered into the customs computer database, so when you import at only $50, the customs would still charge you at $60!!

2) I do not understand at all why should factories make more money on samples than on regular sales??? This practise is only in China. The west would give you samples at a REDUCED cost ( for example at $35 for an item that sells at $50), and this is the SENSIBLE thing to do. Factories should offer paid sampl;es AT COST ONLY!!!

Thank you

H. Olama, MSME, P.E.

Cairo, Egypt

    Hello, it's nice to read your idea here.Yee, i couldn't agree with you more.