hello!

I am a new user at alibaba.com, and you will probobly find some of my questions obvius, but I would really apreciate if you took some time and answerd them detailed!

My first question is if it's "normal" to ask for a free sample when dealing with a company? should I ask for free samples or should'nt I?

Second, I am having some thoughts about invoice!
Dose it mean that the company will send me the units that I orderd and that they will come with a invoice that I will have to pay within 30 days?
I do know what invoice is in my country, but I am not sure that is has the same meaning international!

And last, do you have any concrete tips on have I can check up on companies so I know I can trust them?

By the way, have any one been making business with " phoenixdo4u"?
Are they reliable?

[My first question is if it's "normal" to ask for a free sample when dealing with a company? should I ask for free samples or should'nt I?]

This issue has been discussed a great deal on this forum so have a read through other threads.

In short it depends upon what the sample product is. My suggestion is that if the item can be on-sold (no matter if you are selling it or not) then you should pay the sample cost. If the product is not something that you can on-sell and is inexpensive then perhaps you can get it for free. You should expect to cover the shipping costs though as that is standard.

[Second, I am having some thoughts about invoice! Dose it mean that the company will send me the units that I orderd and that they will come with a invoice that I will have to pay within 30 days?]

What you are talking about there is credit terms and even back home you would need to apply for credit with a company BEFORE they would let you have goods without paying. Applications require some proof of who you are and an established channel for getting the product or the money back if you don't pay.

As suppliers in international trade are in another country it is too risky for them to ship goods to new customers without payment upfront. The normal payment methods require payment in advance of shipping or on production of shipping documentation. Very, very few suppliers will offer credit even to very good customers. I recommend that you don't pursue credit with factories as you may be mistaken for a scammer.

[And last, do you have any concrete tips on have I can check up on companies so I know I can trust them?]

There is no simple answer to this. Once again a lot of this has been discussed on this forum so take the time to read through relevant threads. Getting a pre-shipment inspection done is probably the best way of confirming your order BEFORE releasing full payment.

[By the way, have any one been making business with " phoenixdo4u"? Are they reliable?]

My guess is that this is an individual not a company. He/she has been spamming the board here with promotions which is against the rules so that does not look too good. If you choose to deal with him/her then be sure to check references and ensure that he/she is familiar with the product that you are buying.

Replying to [KonsolK]: The only thing I would add to Egernia's response is that if you are talking about a Commercial Invoice. This document is for custom's clearance in defining how much VAT and Duty tax will be assesed a particular product based on its composition and its quanity if relevant. Therefore this document has nothing to do with payment to the supplier and only shows how many, how much you paid for the products, and the relavent shipping charges to your POE or destination.

Best regards,

Ranger

Replying to [KonsolK]:

i have a question , last sevral days , i did send some samples to a co. from philippine for free, but because they refused to charge the customs duty, so the sample is still stored at the DHL. That 's terrible . Can you give some advice? guys on the forum , thank you so much.

Replying to [KonsolK]:as i recall ,,the concept behind free samples,, the seller offers samples when he would make his delvery to a buyer [a retail store,,,sales to the public] example-here in usa automobial shops carry all types of assessaries the stores are a chain,maney shops under one name.these stores carrie thousands of items for cars trucks.now this stor is open to the public,,the public in this case all have one common link ,,,they love cars trucks anything with a motor ,and tires.. a supplier walks in after the usual give and take..supplier tells the stor owner ,,by the way i `ll lete you in on something the other stores i do bussness with are dooing well selling these little motor cycles i have if you want i could drop a few off on consiment,,there just sitting in the wearhouse,how bout it ,i see you have an empty area in the back...o sorry off the subjectFREE SAMPLES YOU STOCK THEM IF THEY SELLWOULDEN`T YOU CALL AND SAY CAN WE MAK A DEAL ON THOSE SAMPLES YOU GAV ME THEY SOLD WELL,,IF THEY DON`T SELL WELL IN SIX MONTHS HE COMES BACK SAYS SORRY I THOUGHT THEY WOULD SELL.FREE SAMPLES ARE USUALY GIVEN TO YOU WITH OUT ASKING.the invoice well we all have to payyou get a 2/10 net 30that`s 10%off the bill if you pay in less then 2 weeks,,ro 30days you pay full agreed price,,some companieswill see a cirtin item is not selling,,but a differant one is he might make a deal to take the space taking items,,items that did not sell off your hands and supply you with quicker moving items......well that is what a good salseman will do friend VILE

Replying to [KonsolK]:as i recall ,,the concept behind free samples,, the seller offers samples when he would make his delvery to a buyer [a retail store,,,sales to the public] example-here in usa automobial shops carry all types of assessaries the stores are a chain,maney shops under one name.these stores carrie thousands of items for cars trucks.now this stor is open to the public,,the public in this case all have one common link ,,,they love cars trucks anything with a motor ,and tires.. a supplier walks in after the usual give and take..supplier tells the stor owner ,,by the way i `ll lete you in on something the other stores i do bussness with are dooing well selling these little motor cycles i have if you want i could drop a few off on consiment,,there just sitting in the wearhouse,how bout it ,i see you have an empty area in the back...o sorry off the subjectFREE SAMPLES YOU STOCK THEM IF THEY SELLWOULDEN`T YOU CALL AND SAY CAN WE MAK A DEAL ON THOSE SAMPLES YOU GAV ME THEY SOLD WELL,,IF THEY DON`T SELL WELL IN SIX MONTHS HE COMES BACK SAYS SORRY I THOUGHT THEY WOULD SELL.FREE SAMPLES ARE USUALY GIVEN TO YOU WITH OUT ASKING.the invoice well we all have to payyou get a 2/10 net 30that`s 10%off the bill if you pay in less then 2 weeks,,ro 30days you pay full agreed price,,some companieswill see a cirtin item is not selling,,but a differant one is he might make a deal to take the space taking items,,items that did not sell off your hands and supply you with quicker moving items......well that is what a good salseman will do friend VILE

Replying to [Joice Qiu ]:Hello my name is Eva Krajcikova and I live in Czech Republic.We would like to start a bussines and looking for bussines partner from other countries as a China,Filipines or Figi who can speak English.If you interested please contact me *Please don't post contact details in the forum.

Replying to [Evelin]:
Hi Ms Evelin, we will contact you very soon.
Thanks

Replying to [ogie]:

Replying to [Egernia]:No, "Phoenixdo4u" is not individual but a business service group.

Replying to [KonsolK]: Dear, I am the owner of "Phoenixdo4u"

I think you need some assistance service when you do business with Chinese suppliers.

I do think sample is important for you business. Once you find the sample is not good enough for you, you may stop to do business with them. But most of the sample offer by the suppliers are not free. You must afford by yourself.

Regarding the Invoice, which shoud be described with all the info of the goods you buy from them.

More info, pls contact me freely. I think you have got our company's info.

Thanks & Regards,

Yours

Phoenixdo4u