As per my earlier post I support the concept of buyers paying for samples upfront with a return of these costs on any subsequent orders.

However there is a downside to this practice that we will likely see more of in the future so it pays to be aware.

Buyers should conduct due dilligence on potential suppliers BEFORE ordering and paying for samples. You don't want to be sending money off for samples that never arrive. The sample is really only for quality reference not a test of the supplier being legitimate or not so my advice is not to send any payments until you are sure that you are dealing with a legitimate supplier.

Replying to [Admin]:In my opinion,it depends on the cost of the sample.on the one hand, we should take back our cost If it is costly,such as our solar water heater.If the cost of a sample is extremely cheap,of course,it can be charged for free.on the other hand,it help us recognise the sample hunter.we know,a sample hunter is never willing to pay for the sample because he have not wanted to cooperate with us at all in future.in addition,i 'd like to say,we suppliers had better return the money to the buyers in order to express our sincerity only if he place an order to our company.I consider that it's more reasonable than conclude charge or no to charge without indicating the situation.After all,business is a equality ,mutual benefit and trustment thing.right?

Replying to [Egernia]: I agree with you , i am hardware manufacturer as usual when our potential customer ask me for post sample we will ask for sample cost if the sample is expensiver. And when sent the cheap sample we only ask their express A/C send sample for free. I think this is good choice.

Replying to [Admin]:

Whether we should charge samples fee or not, it depends on the cost of the samples, material. If it charges lower cost, we won't charge sample fees, if it is expernsive for us to make a sample, we will tell the client before making or sending the samples.

Replying to [Hal2040]: Assume I am a seller saling products at several different prices:
-For small/low cost samples, I would prefer to offer them free of charge, buyer should pay freight charge, including customs taxes, (As I know not everytime there will be a tax charge at customs.)
-For samples I think the cost is not low, I would request buyer to pay sample charge + freight charge(of course the possible customs taxes). Seller will be more confident and glad to offer good quality/in time products. Furthermore, buyer should review and consider what he wants more carefully before asking, this will help seller to avoid waste of samples(protect our earth )and buyer to save time in some extention because the samples are paid by money.
-If you develop your products in your supplier, of course it is sure the cost will be higher for samples, supplier need to cover MOQ/Higher Men power/Charges for developing...etc, I am not sure if you belong to this kind of business?

Regards.
Aftercloudy

Replying to [Admin]:
sending free sample is a total wast of time , oversea buyers are getting very smart , generally they open any international courier account and starts searching suppliers of all types of products , they know that in international market very strong competition and suppliers can send free sample in a gridiness of any bulk order .

they send inquiries and show themself as a potential businesses but after getting free sample they will never reply you ,

so please be carefull.

Replying to [vikasdas]: I am satisfied with your coment , but i send free samples to buyers, our items are of paper and can be send without charging the samples , but courier charge should be taken by the buyer , which buyer do not want to pay, so now we come to this conclusion that we should send by our account, is this right to send samples to their place free of charge.

Replying to [smcwhortor]: Can you give any of your buyers free samples ? Laptops, Mobiles, MP4 players, VCD, DVD players, TV, USB drive 8GB, if you can give free samples, I will be your sample testing buyer. even use our DHL account no problem, that cost is not much compare the products value.

Replying to [Admin]:
1. Please understand what dose SAMPLE mean?
Sample is not for only product itself quality review and testing. Sample business is more important before formal order business due to its a way to test and reflect BUYER ATTITUDE and SELLER SERVICE.you can image if samples are free, then no need talk for price and do more details communicate. but, if it cost money, buyer and seller do willl take it as a serious business action. negotiate price, issue P.I., place sample order, transfer money, evaluate the leadtime, samples ready photos, packing, Invoice, delivery. everything steps just act as a formal order. in this way, buyer can see how efficient and service for the supplier, and also buyer and seller agree and do smooth on the delivery cost and Bank charge. if samples order solve this problem, I believe will be no any problems for such small headache negotiate in future. So I say Samples cost payment payment test both credit especially Buyer sincerity and seller SERVICE QUALITY & PRODUCTS QUALITY.

2. Please understand seller and buyer are fair.
we all know, seller need orders, and buyer also need good smooth suppliers. so we are fair in both point. buyer can not make us of his special purchase position to require seller overstated conditions. You can say you have a lot suppliers to send you free samples or pricelist. but I can say we also have a lot inquiry and have large demand for products. you are not the one do business with us. we should understand each and make us both happy. if u always ask free shipping, free samples, everything free or give much pressure to sellers, I am sure I will fire you from our contact list right away. because a real good supplier can always live. they do not live for free sample sending to get orders.

3. about shipping and BANK charge, buyer always burn with it. they know its for marketing and its business need, no buyers buy sample to sell so as to make small profit untile he is self use buyer or not real buyer.

4. about the sample import tax and duties. I believe they can always receive them not by a company name, also by a personal name so as to avoid high tax and duties. but, if this business if worth do to , I believe buyer will not just keep eyes on the not much USD. they are not short-eyes.

5. the reason why Sample cost always higher than Order price is that Samples produce cost much more labour and time. we have not much difference to make 1 PCS products and make 500 pcs products. you have to do all procedure such as materails, testing, assemble, welding, packing. and so on. I think you can not buy a retail products at wholesale price in the world. you understand.

Frankly speaking, buyer responsibility is TO PAY the money and seller responsibility is TO PROVIDE the correct products as required in Quality, Time, and delivery.
Sorry maybe buyer feel too much pressure on the payment, but, if you were the seller, you would understand it. just format your brain and instal WINDOWS XP

Replying to [Admin]: this question is worth discussing.If you are a seller,do you want to be frauded? If you think this stand on the seller,and you will get the reply.
The same ,If you are a buyer .you must knew that 'the mael is not free in the word'. If you want a sample from the seller please charge it.