Hey, every trader needs something to go by.

Something that will say to him " Oh yes, I like the finish of this product. Maybe i should ask my supplier to change the colour its not as good as it seems on the catalogue, or maybe I should extend the size or decrease it ... " all that. Only when your sample reaches him in his hands, he is able to say, you are good enough to be considered.

BUT, caution ! Dont just give samples away, or else your prodcution line would be only churning out samples to give away and not orders to tend to

Give samples in either of the following format :

1) Samples are free of charge, but the courier charges to be borne by the customer. Here you can decide a breaking point. If the samples are below USD 50 or more or what is the breaking limit. Depends on the NETT COST PER PIECE of product you are sending samples for.

2) Samples and courier charges are paid by customer, BUT YOU REFUND the full amount with prior understanding with teh csutomer, if he reaches a benchmark sales invoice value with you, lets say, if he reaches USD 5,000 invoice purchase with you after sample approval, he gets 50% back from you on the charges, and if he gives you a USD 10,000 order, he gets the full amount back.
This is a good way to tell your customer " I LIKE YOU, but i dont have to give it to you free, I would rather let you pay for it and check it out, once you confirm, i shall eventually give you your money back when you order with me " .

I believe samples are an important part of trading, thats why DONT HESITATE to give them free.

You should incorporate SAMPLES COST in your ADVT AND MARKETING COSTS, thats the best way to market and advertise your product, as people get a hands on feel of your product, rather than on paper or magazines.

If 1000 people read your advt and only 5 respond with queries, from which 2 become your customers, I GUARANTEE YOU, SAME COST OF ADVT, IF PUT TO FREE SAMPLES AND GIVE AWAY 50 OF THEM FREE, YOU SHALL GET 10 SURESHOT ORDERS.

Try it out

Cheers and best of luck. Dont hold your samples back, and by the way, send me some free samples if you can, i require some new stuff around my home and office. Mostly anything will do..

Yes the samples should be provided free of cost  but with conditions.

The samples has got its own cost.  Based upon the information obatined for expected business volume and the exisiting sales volume of the fuuture customer one may judiciously make a calculative decision.

If the costs are high , do charge the customer but then special discounts could be offered which  would bring down the his order cost in the initial stage informing him clearly the reduction against sample costs.  This is beneficial for both the parties.

Alternatively special discount could be offered in the beginning and with quantity discounts for orders of specific volumes.

The freight etc may be clearly indicated as separate charge and special offer may be given for big orders which may be put in the conditions .

This should be okay

regards