Seems to me that so many people, both Buyers and Sellers, keep posting this question on this forum.
The simplest way is this.

1. IF the product is rather inexpensive (like pens, keyrings, etc), then I suggest the SELLER pays for the samples, and the BUYER pays for the Courier Fee. I would also add (as the Seller), to tell the Buyer, that this fee will be deducted off his first order. This to me is FAIR. This will also weeed out "Sample Hunters"

2. If the product is an expensive item (like a refrigerator or TV etc), then there is NO question about it. The BUYER pays for the sample AND the Freight charges.) . And NO, this will NOT be deducted off the first order.

Come on all you Buyers out there, what could be fairer? If you can't even pay for the Courier Fee (as per example 1 above), then how on earth can you pay for an Order?????

I have been doing so for many years and it has been very successfull.

I agree with the above rule... as long as we are talking about new/prospective customers. But let's say I'm a manufacturer and want to promote a new or enhanced item. You can rest assured that my present customers will get a sample for free, and they don't even need to ask for it.

So the bottom line is probably, "it all depends". There are always exceptions and special situations, but as a general guideline your suggestions are right on target.

I agree with the main post and also with Germex's addition.

I also wanted to add that samples that have no commercial value and can't be onsold could of course also be offered free of charge e.g. swatches, one shoe etc.

Quoting from [grigo]:


Seems to me that so many people, both Buyers and Sellers, keep posting this question on this forum.

The simplest way is this.


1. IF the product is rather inexpensive (like pens, keyrings, etc), then I suggest the SELLER pays for the samples, and the BUYER pays for the Courier Fee. I would also add (as the Seller), to tell the Buyer, that this fee will be deducted off his first order. This to me is FAIR. This will also weeed out "Sample Hunters"


2. If the product is an expensive item (like a refrigerator or TV etc), then there is NO question about it. The BUYER pays for the sample AND the Freight charges.) . And NO, this will NOT be deducted off the first order.


Come on all you Buyers out there, what could be fairer? If you  can't even pay for the Courier Fee (as per example 1 above), then how on earth can you pay for an Order?????


I have been doing so for many years and it has been very successfull.

I always show good will to my overseas clients and I always send the samples free of charge and pay for the Courier Fee  without any hesitation.

When I send the samples to my overseas clients at the second time,some of my clients said:Tony,this time I pay for samples and the Courier Fee,I do want  you to pay any more,but not all the clients say this to me.

I still met a very good client who is from Jordan,he insisted on paying for the samples and courier fee at the first time.I reallly could not believe my eyes when he wrote these words to me. 

Nothing but I just want to state that buyers and sellers should establish mutual-trust and friendship between each other if they are really business man,not samples hunters.Whatever samples or courier fee,just do the way which party is more easier to get this matter through.     

If I have a Fedex account or a TNT account it is all stupid to ask for courier fee if my clients do not have either one.This is just a case in point.

best regards

Tony

 

Hi all guys

I agree on this opinion.It is truth.If the seller wants to do more business with the buyer,we should consider the situation on both side.One side bear one side.I am a manufacturer of ball pen for years.It is cheap for us except metal pens,so we can offer the sample for free.


Other side,I sell the PVC fences and cruets for my friends factories.Especially for PVC fence,the cost is a little expensive.So I have to need the sample charge to cut down my loss.

So Germex is exactly."It all depends " on special situation.Always think of the interests on both side,then the things will be better for both of us.And the business will go on for long terms.

Michael Zeng
*No direct contact details allowed in the forums - Moderator*

Quoting from [grigo]:


Seems to me that so many people, both Buyers and Sellers, keep posting this question on this forum.

The simplest way is this.


1. IF the product is rather inexpensive (like pens, keyrings, etc), then I suggest the SELLER pays for the samples, and the BUYER pays for the Courier Fee. I would also add (as the Seller), to tell the Buyer, that this fee will be deducted off his first order. This to me is FAIR. This will also weeed out "Sample Hunters"


2. If the product is an expensive item (like a refrigerator or TV etc), then there is NO question about it. The BUYER pays for the sample AND the Freight charges.) . And NO, this will NOT be deducted off the first order.


Come on all you Buyers out there, what could be fairer? If you  can't even pay for the Courier Fee (as per example 1 above), then how on earth can you pay for an Order?????


I have been doing so for many years and it has been very successfull.

Ummm.... This is an old but still good topic for now.

3days ago, one clients ask sample but told me that our price is too high to accept, I ask the sample fee cause I don't wanna loose any opportunity even if he is looks like a sample hunter via his letters. 

Falling in our expect, he refuse the fee and told us that they will find other co. send the small amout sample if we insist on the fee.

I just told his that the sample fee will back to him after he put order. He accept.

I am sure that our product is workable and pricing is reasmonable in his market.

So sometimes, we can finish a sample order before regular order.

 

Quoting from [grigo]:


Seems to me that so many people, both Buyers and Sellers, keep posting this question on this forum.

The simplest way is this.


1. IF the product is rather inexpensive (like pens, keyrings, etc), then I suggest the SELLER pays for the samples, and the BUYER pays for the Courier Fee. I would also add (as the Seller), to tell the Buyer, that this fee will be deducted off his first order. This to me is FAIR. This will also weeed out "Sample Hunters"


2. If the product is an expensive item (like a refrigerator or TV etc), then there is NO question about it. The BUYER pays for the sample AND the Freight charges.) . And NO, this will NOT be deducted off the first order.


Come on all you Buyers out there, what could be fairer? If you  can't even pay for the Courier Fee (as per example 1 above), then how on earth can you pay for an Order?????


I have been doing so for many years and it has been very successfull.

 

 i am sorry , i ahve say no about that , i am not agree with you , even if the goods is not expensic\ve , we sould demand our clients to pay for the samples fee , if not , we are throw our mi\oney at risk and if everybody want to see our samples and only samples , how can we profit ? and i have to indicate there are some bad people always tell a lie , want to the samples only , and after they receiving the samples , there would be no feedback any more !!!

Quoting from [grigo]:


Seems to me that so many people, both Buyers and Sellers, keep posting this question on this forum.

The simplest way is this.


1. IF the product is rather inexpensive (like pens, keyrings, etc), then I suggest the SELLER pays for the samples, and the BUYER pays for the Courier Fee. I would also add (as the Seller), to tell the Buyer, that this fee will be deducted off his first order. This to me is FAIR. This will also weeed out "Sample Hunters"


2. If the product is an expensive item (like a refrigerator or TV etc), then there is NO question about it. The BUYER pays for the sample AND the Freight charges.) . And NO, this will NOT be deducted off the first order.


Come on all you Buyers out there, what could be fairer? If you  can't even pay for the Courier Fee (as per example 1 above), then how on earth can you pay for an Order?????


I have been doing so for many years and it has been very successfull.

   I CAN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE!YEAH,MOST OF THE BUYER THEY CAN ACCEPT THE SAMPLES FREE AND THE FREIGH IS COLLECT.

Quoting from [grigo]:


Seems to me that so many people, both Buyers and Sellers, keep posting this question on this forum.

The simplest way is this.


1. IF the product is rather inexpensive (like pens, keyrings, etc), then I suggest the SELLER pays for the samples, and the BUYER pays for the Courier Fee. I would also add (as the Seller), to tell the Buyer, that this fee will be deducted off his first order. This to me is FAIR. This will also weeed out "Sample Hunters"


2. If the product is an expensive item (like a refrigerator or TV etc), then there is NO question about it. The BUYER pays for the sample AND the Freight charges.) . And NO, this will NOT be deducted off the first order.


Come on all you Buyers out there, what could be fairer? If you  can't even pay for the Courier Fee (as per example 1 above), then how on earth can you pay for an Order?????


I have been doing so for many years and it has been very successfull.

yes, it depends on situation. If the sample is not expensive, it is free of charge, but about the courier fee, the buyer pay, on the other way,if order is placed, the seller can promist to return all or half of the courier fee.

if the sample is expensive, it is reasonable for seller to ask for sample charge and courier fee.


for example,  we produce projection screens and interactive whiteboards, the price of projection screens range 40 to 200 USD,  and interactive whiteboards are more expentive. When our clients ask for sample, we agree to send, but they have to pay  for sample fee and courier fee, when we get their orders, we can return half of the courier fee. It is reasonable.

I agree to most of your suggestions.But,

Now,a client in India said he would like to pay the postage and told me his DHL A/C. While, I heard that he has the right to protest, and then we have to pay it.And may be the cost is more than the original's. so i feel anxious......

I really don't want to lose the potential client,but i am a greenhand.So i am cautious toward every details.

Look forward to hearing your voice.

 

Replying To [Shagrila]:

YOU can no longer call DHL in China and give them your customer's DHLnumber.


DHL will no longer accept this.


You have to give your customer in India your address and telephone number, and ask him to call his DHL Office in India, and ask them to arrange China DHL to pick the parcel up from you.


That way, you are also covered that teh Indian Customer has to pay for the delivery.