One of inquiry came from Russia. asked for a set of our sample which cost around 10usd. the weight is around 5kg. shipping cost 105usd more or less to Russia.
When i prepared the free sample as customer requirement. and want to send him freight collect. He said it's a risk to pay the shipping cost before no idea for our quanlity .

What can i do?? after we r golden supplier on alibaba. this is the first inquiry which wanna our sample . and i view their website also big importer also

thanks

Replying to [jessica yang]:sample problem is always headache. Though it's a testing stone to tell who is genuine buyer,sometimes it's also block to genuine buyers. according to my experience those who like to burden sample cost and freight are more serious and have much more chances to become real buyer.
At the first stage of international business the samples are usually free and burdened by sellers. but little by little sellers begin to wake up. they realize that they can't provide free meal all the time. so many lessons teach sellers to realize that not all who ask for free samples can be genuine buyers. some are only scammers to cheat in samples.
I agree with majority that you should insist on freight collect or refuse to send samples. it's funny that I find those who refuse to freight collect often come from Russia, Poland, Africa and the South Asia like India, Pakistan.

Replying to [jessica yang]: We do want several samples of chemicals from different companies and most of the time we do not pay the freight cost. Actually, if the sample quantity is above 3-4 kg.s we accept to pay freight cost which is about 200-300 usd. But otherwise we do not want to pay because we are getting many samples and fortunately most of the supplier does not want freight cost for 1-2 kg. samples. I think this is because suppliers somehow knows that if we satisfied with the sample and price we are serious.

Replying to [jessica yang]: Depending on what you have said already you could find out how much it would cost to send by standard mail and see if the potential customer is willing to pay that amount. $105 is indeed a lot to pay for a $10 sample whoever pays. I agree that it should be the potential customer who pays but it is unreasonable to expect them to pay for next day express delivery, or whatever you get for $105, when this is clearly not what is wanted.

Of course you cannot be expected to give samples away and pay expensive shipping rates but then your potential customer also cannot be expected to pay $125 to receive a $10 item. Hopefully you can find some middle ground where it is possible to proceed with the transaction.

Replying to [jessica yang]: Hello,
The person asking for the sample is Spam. Anyone who is the potential to buy can take the risk of paying a few dollars as the freight of the sample.
If he repeats the order than you can always deduct the sample and its freight.

Replying to [jessica yang]:
If u think importer is a very good buyer,your company should pay the Feright charges.It will win u a customer and if this deal matures your company can earn lot by sending regular shipments to the buyer.

My suggestion is send the shipment by paying freight yourself

Replying to [jessica yang]:
If the customer is worried, send them a detailed list of what will be in the sample range even a picture to help them decide.

No need to do business with this company.
If the sample cost is below 20USD,we think you send him free sample. But he must pay the shipping charge.
Good luck with u

Replying to [jessica yang]: If I were you, I will say no. Once I have met a client who ask us to send samples to he. And I told he that we pay the sample fee and you should pay the frieght fee. He caculated and said that he will pay the freight fee if they really need it. A serious buyer will pay this. Trust the business is equal.

Replying to [jessica yang]: I am a buyer. From what I know the REAL buyer never expecting from you to pay shipping charges unless you contacted him first and offer your product. You have paid already for samples and buyer should pay for delivery in his turn.

Replying to [jessica yang]:
I met the same client.he ask two pieces of sample for free and the total cost about $150.so i refused and didn't do business with him.
but for sincere buyer and the sample cost is not so high,i will think to send samples for free.because it not so convinent to pay so little money by bank.