Buyer who interested in my product but can't pay the sample.
Post 1 of 336
One of my potential customers asked me to send samples to him,at first,he just said he interested in one of our products,i told him that we offer the samples free,but he should pay for the mailing,then he replied me with that he is not in the position to pay for it because they don't have the DHLaccount,and showed that he intereated in all our items,and asked me to send the samples to them as soon as possible.
What should i do ?
![[em11]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_sweat.gif)
What should i do ?
20 Nov 2006 00:27
Post 2 of 336
![[em22]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_cool.gif){kind=icon}
Agree with everybody who think buyers should pay sample charge or courier fee, if buyers are serious. No free bread dropt from god. Objectively you must pay if you need and demand. There is a word "buy" in "buyer".As for me, I didn't care about the charge of sample or courier, if my sample is ready-made or stock. Don't be afraid of scams while you're brave to do business. "Good" and "bad" is twins, so "scams" and "business".
But sometimes I must request charge. Because many buyers just send unclear images and ask for copy without kind and serious words. These copy is small cash for us a large manufactory. But my designers have to spend much time and energy to make the copy,which is very difficult work for garment designing. As you know, buyers disappear, refuse,forget and so on,although we spend days,weeks even months for them. I dislike that.I hit who waste time of mine and ours who work with me together. People to waste the others' time and not to respect the others is as same as the cheater and scammer who is specilized in cheating money and goods.
20 Apr 2007 05:34
Post 3 of 336
Replying to [blue angel 2006]:I posted this on the other topic and I will do so again here because I think people are getting carried away with themselves and have lost touch with reality in the fray of this conversation. In the midst of whining and crying from suffering southern Chinese factories, it is most important to remember that if you are not motivated to get the business then you WILL LOSE THE BUSINESS to other factories in other countries, other regions of China, and sometimes your neighboring factory.
WOW...
An awful lot of people have replied to this post and NOBODY has adequately replied with why you do not pay samples charges for ANY ITEM that is not custom molded for you.
THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON FOR GETTING THE SAMPLE FOR FREE IS TO QUALIFY THE FACTORY.
You may think your factory is great, but that does not make you correct. If you are not motivated to do an order, then it is good that you do not send samples because another factory in China will send them. There are so many factories in China that are eager to do business, it is not worth a GOOD QUALITY FREQUENT BUYER'S time to deal with a factory that is not motivated.
If you think you have all the business that you need. Then by all means, set any sample terms that you want.
A good quality buyer should be able to present you with a
1. working knowledge of the product
2. a shipper account
3. a corporate website
4. other factories/traders they have worked with
5. a tangible opportunity
BUT THERE IS NO REASON TO PAY FOR ANY STOCK SAMPLE IF YOU A LEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ORDER.
Factories that are not motivated (often referred as lazy) do not make samples until they get paid which slows down the entire process and only causes more delays. They will most likely make the samples half-a$$ed because they do not get "big money" from the sample order and they will have a bad attitude about doing business.
Steer clear of factories with bad attitudes. THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF MANY PROBLEMS TO COME IF YOU PLACE AN ORDER.
WORK WITH MOTIVATED PEOPLE THAT WANT THE BUSINESS. AVOID LAZY PEOPLE THAT DO NOT DO THEIR JOB, AVOID PEOPLE THAT WANT CASH UPFRONT, AVOID PEOPLE WITH BAD ATTITUDES, AND QUALIFY ALL OF YOUR FACTORIES.
It does not matter what country you are from, you must show you are motivated and you want the business, otherwise you are more of a waste of time than the customers that don't buy anything.
Just a piece of advice...
WOW...
An awful lot of people have replied to this post and NOBODY has adequately replied with why you do not pay samples charges for ANY ITEM that is not custom molded for you.
THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON FOR GETTING THE SAMPLE FOR FREE IS TO QUALIFY THE FACTORY.
You may think your factory is great, but that does not make you correct. If you are not motivated to do an order, then it is good that you do not send samples because another factory in China will send them. There are so many factories in China that are eager to do business, it is not worth a GOOD QUALITY FREQUENT BUYER'S time to deal with a factory that is not motivated.
If you think you have all the business that you need. Then by all means, set any sample terms that you want.
A good quality buyer should be able to present you with a
1. working knowledge of the product
2. a shipper account
3. a corporate website
4. other factories/traders they have worked with
5. a tangible opportunity
BUT THERE IS NO REASON TO PAY FOR ANY STOCK SAMPLE IF YOU A LEGITIMATE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN ORDER.
Factories that are not motivated (often referred as lazy) do not make samples until they get paid which slows down the entire process and only causes more delays. They will most likely make the samples half-a$$ed because they do not get "big money" from the sample order and they will have a bad attitude about doing business.
Steer clear of factories with bad attitudes. THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF MANY PROBLEMS TO COME IF YOU PLACE AN ORDER.
WORK WITH MOTIVATED PEOPLE THAT WANT THE BUSINESS. AVOID LAZY PEOPLE THAT DO NOT DO THEIR JOB, AVOID PEOPLE THAT WANT CASH UPFRONT, AVOID PEOPLE WITH BAD ATTITUDES, AND QUALIFY ALL OF YOUR FACTORIES.
It does not matter what country you are from, you must show you are motivated and you want the business, otherwise you are more of a waste of time than the customers that don't buy anything.
Just a piece of advice...
24 Apr 2007 22:03
Post 4 of 336
Replying to [blue angel 2006]:
This is very typical from buyers who want to test the sellers, if they want to go the extra mile to do business. There are many possibilities here. He could be a sample hunter, where he wants everything for free, nor even use his phone number when calling you but a friend's.
However you could negotiate a better deal to him. Ofer him to pay for the transport either DHL or FeDex, and when he place the big order you will give him credit for what the transportation cost. So he got his samples for free and you got the deal.
But I guess it is customary for the buyer to pay the transpostrtation costs, those expenses could be itemized on their tax returns, so it is not a waste but a cost of doing business. The samples should be declared as such on the commercial invoice so they have a value of zero dollars, so no tariff will be exiced on the product when doing custom clearance by the transport agency.
Regards
Vicente Huaman
This is very typical from buyers who want to test the sellers, if they want to go the extra mile to do business. There are many possibilities here. He could be a sample hunter, where he wants everything for free, nor even use his phone number when calling you but a friend's.
However you could negotiate a better deal to him. Ofer him to pay for the transport either DHL or FeDex, and when he place the big order you will give him credit for what the transportation cost. So he got his samples for free and you got the deal.
But I guess it is customary for the buyer to pay the transpostrtation costs, those expenses could be itemized on their tax returns, so it is not a waste but a cost of doing business. The samples should be declared as such on the commercial invoice so they have a value of zero dollars, so no tariff will be exiced on the product when doing custom clearance by the transport agency.
Regards
Vicente Huaman
26 Apr 2007 09:50
Post 5 of 336
Replying to [blue angel 2006]:one may provide the sample at 50%cost to try if the buyer is not really able to pay due to some typical problem which is explained by him. If hecannot pay at all means he is not reliable. A chance could be taken if otherwise in the survey he is found okay as such.
Otherwise it is clear not to provide samples.![[em17]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_shake_hands.gif)
Otherwise it is clear not to provide samples.
27 Apr 2007 21:12
Post 6 of 336
Replying to [blue angel 2006]:Most of them are not real customers, be careful!!!!!
27 Apr 2007 22:57
Post 7 of 336
Replying to [blue angel 2006]:This is what happens many times in regular business. There are many starting trading companies who want to sell products from China in their local market. In such cases, starting trading companies may not have enough funds to cover sample delivery fees.
Actually, such starting companies are very enthusiastic for such cooperation. They do their best to promote free samples in the local market and bring new foreign customers to your company. Please keep in mind that you will need to provide them with price list when you send your samples to them. Because, when they meet with their local customers they will be asked for quotation. This is the first question they will be asked.
Starting trading companies need little support in the beginning who could be your very successful agent in that country.
This is what I experienced myself. I explored local market for pharmaceutical APIs. I initially asked for free samples and free delivery from Chinese companies. I couldn't afford myself to pay for samples fees and delivery fees. I had to ask Chinese companies to give me free sample and free delivery. Some of the Chinese companies agreed, but some of them asked at least for delivery fees.
When I received free samples with free delivery from some of the Chinese pharmaceutical production and trading companies, I started talking to local customers and showed samples and quotation. I added my little commission on top of the price.
At the moment, there are well established cooperations with local and Chinese companies who work through me. I have become successful agent. For local companies I am sourcing agent and for chinese companies I am representative agent in my country.
Please keep in mind. You have to establish very friendly relations with that person who is asking for samples. Make sure he comes online regularly and replies to your emails promptly. This will keep you away from stress and headache.
Actually, such starting companies are very enthusiastic for such cooperation. They do their best to promote free samples in the local market and bring new foreign customers to your company. Please keep in mind that you will need to provide them with price list when you send your samples to them. Because, when they meet with their local customers they will be asked for quotation. This is the first question they will be asked.
Starting trading companies need little support in the beginning who could be your very successful agent in that country.
This is what I experienced myself. I explored local market for pharmaceutical APIs. I initially asked for free samples and free delivery from Chinese companies. I couldn't afford myself to pay for samples fees and delivery fees. I had to ask Chinese companies to give me free sample and free delivery. Some of the Chinese companies agreed, but some of them asked at least for delivery fees.
When I received free samples with free delivery from some of the Chinese pharmaceutical production and trading companies, I started talking to local customers and showed samples and quotation. I added my little commission on top of the price.
At the moment, there are well established cooperations with local and Chinese companies who work through me. I have become successful agent. For local companies I am sourcing agent and for chinese companies I am representative agent in my country.
Please keep in mind. You have to establish very friendly relations with that person who is asking for samples. Make sure he comes online regularly and replies to your emails promptly. This will keep you away from stress and headache.
28 Apr 2007 02:42
Post 8 of 336
Replying to [blue angel 2006]:plz donot send the samples
becoz even he did not have money or Account how does we think he is buyer or cheater...
becoz even he did not have money or Account how does we think he is buyer or cheater...
24 May 2007 21:42
Post 9 of 336
Replying to [Mars]:
Sorry but I beg to differ!
I are a new trader,looking to import consumer items to Australia,and asked a supplier in HK for a sample of a solar moscuito zapper he sold so I could access the item to see if it was good or junk before a possible commercial purchase.
The item was listed at approx US$8 per piece and weighed probably a couple of Lbs.The supplier wanted US $50 to send me the one item.
That is profiteering in the extreme.
Needless to say I immediatly dropped that suppleir as a possible supplier.
Sorry but I beg to differ!
I are a new trader,looking to import consumer items to Australia,and asked a supplier in HK for a sample of a solar moscuito zapper he sold so I could access the item to see if it was good or junk before a possible commercial purchase.
The item was listed at approx US$8 per piece and weighed probably a couple of Lbs.The supplier wanted US $50 to send me the one item.
That is profiteering in the extreme.
Needless to say I immediatly dropped that suppleir as a possible supplier.
25 May 2007 02:31
Post 10 of 336
Replying to [blue angel 2006]:
Hi!
I am so much surprised of such decisions all leave here!
I am buyer and i not always agree on paying the samples post charge, not because we want to cheat supplier, but just we plan to put the order on the supplier and he has to be interested in selling the goods to us and it is good if he arrange the samples of his goods.
And if we have no samples we have no order to this supplier.
All of you used such words as cheater , sample hunter!
What use to save samples?!
Hi!
I am so much surprised of such decisions all leave here!
I am buyer and i not always agree on paying the samples post charge, not because we want to cheat supplier, but just we plan to put the order on the supplier and he has to be interested in selling the goods to us and it is good if he arrange the samples of his goods.
And if we have no samples we have no order to this supplier.
All of you used such words as cheater , sample hunter!
What use to save samples?!
26 May 2007 00:02
Post 11 of 336
Replying to [Nastka]:
Maybe you the cheater and the fraud, like so many many companies on this alibaba and the more than 40 theives website. The customer probably been cheated before and now want revenge. Good for him!![[em5]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_angry.gif)
Maybe you the cheater and the fraud, like so many many companies on this alibaba and the more than 40 theives website. The customer probably been cheated before and now want revenge. Good for him!
26 May 2007 14:45