Free sample, a problem when starting new business?
Post 1 of 638
I am trying to buy plastic parts from a manufacturer company in Shenzhen, China but I have some questions first. I have asked for samples but they do not want to send me any free samples, even after I offered to pay for freight.
Here are their terms:
Country of origin: China
Shipment: EMS
Terms of payment: 100% T/T in advance Lead time: 20 days after the payment is in their ****
Bank fee: $25 per order
The price of the samples is $50 but then the EMS shipping is $38 and the bank fee is $25.
1- Is this a normal TOTAL price for a sample order?
2- Does anyone see any red flags?
3- What should be my reply to them?
I did a search for their name on here but nothing came up.
Thanks so much
Here are their terms:
Country of origin: China
Shipment: EMS
Terms of payment: 100% T/T in advance Lead time: 20 days after the payment is in their ****
Bank fee: $25 per order
The price of the samples is $50 but then the EMS shipping is $38 and the bank fee is $25.
1- Is this a normal TOTAL price for a sample order?
2- Does anyone see any red flags?
3- What should be my reply to them?
I did a search for their name on here but nothing came up.
Thanks so much
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06 Jun 2007 21:07
Post 2 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:![[em20]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_victory.gif)
Samples are essential to introduce some new product in a new market. Customer physically desire to check the quality of the product then decide to purchase. Internationally samples are sent free of cost without payment of any freight, bank fee etc. If manufacturer desire to push his product he must provide free sample to the agent otherwise it is quite difficult to introduce any new product without showing sample to customer.
Samples are essential to introduce some new product in a new market. Customer physically desire to check the quality of the product then decide to purchase. Internationally samples are sent free of cost without payment of any freight, bank fee etc. If manufacturer desire to push his product he must provide free sample to the agent otherwise it is quite difficult to introduce any new product without showing sample to customer.
15 Jul 2007 23:29
Post 3 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:
We are manufacture of plastic too,in our company,we will not charge the sample ,but we should charge the transport cost.For it is a large sum of money for us.for example ,15KG goods to IR ,we had to pay USD450, we now have about 30 samples to send every month,It is really a large sum of money,so we have to charge it.
we should trust each other and consider for each other ,
We are manufacture of plastic too,in our company,we will not charge the sample ,but we should charge the transport cost.For it is a large sum of money for us.for example ,15KG goods to IR ,we had to pay USD450, we now have about 30 samples to send every month,It is really a large sum of money,so we have to charge it.
we should trust each other and consider for each other ,
16 Jul 2007 00:03
Post 4 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:
Dear sir ,I am greenhade in international trade ,I want to know why EMS should not used for ship plastic?
Dear sir ,I am greenhade in international trade ,I want to know why EMS should not used for ship plastic?
16 Jul 2007 00:32
Post 5 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:i think that there might be some confusion between you and the party..
so its better to talk to them.....ask them to send you the sample free and offer them that you will pay the courier charge....
so its better to talk to them.....ask them to send you the sample free and offer them that you will pay the courier charge....
16 Jul 2007 05:10
Post 6 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:Drew I wouldn't do this it's too much. I've had places send me samples for free costing me nothing. I would pay for the sample and that's it. If they want your business they'll comply.
Theresa
Theresa
16 Jul 2007 17:55
Post 7 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:
sometimes our client need our sample,and the cost is not very much,we all offer them the free ,but the freight need pay by themself.i think that is fair
sometimes our client need our sample,and the cost is not very much,we all offer them the free ,but the freight need pay by themself.i think that is fair
16 Jul 2007 18:21
Post 8 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]: i have experience giving free samples because we are a new company. To my frustration, all the clients to be that i gave free samples didnt order anything. My point is, if the client is really serious about the business, then i think he should pay for the samples. It is not easy for a manufacturer to give samples, speacialy if you give free samples to clients to be. Whta if you have 100 clients to be? its already production, right? Me, i gave free samples if the order exceeds a certain amount of production order.
Jojo dela Serna
Jojo dela Serna
16 Jul 2007 18:24
Post 9 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:Hi Drew, i have also experienced the same thing. well one offered to send me one piece free but they asked me for freight which was $200.00. It dint make sense. Please do a through search, they might be on alibaba. If not then i think you should drop the idea.
16 Jul 2007 19:21
Post 10 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]: I do not know what the samples are, but I think it is should be not a small amount for them. Another reason is that there are so many people want to get free samples, the factory can not supply the samples free all the time. Maybe you can ask them whether the sample fee will be refundable or not first.
17 Jul 2007 00:11
Post 11 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]: I am currently in the process of going to the August Trade Show in Shanghai. I have read most all the responses to your question and find that they are mostly answered by sellers than buyers.
In my opinion, all manufacturers should provide samples free of charge inclusive of freight to prospective buyers........after all......it is the cost of doing business and should be included in their budget allocation for the fiscal year just as a supermarket or major store would allocate for loss of goods.
Some of the responses are quite disconserting and makes me wonder if doing business in China is going to be more of a headache. It would have been better to see more responses from buyers than sellers to gain a true perspective of what it entails to do business in China.
In my opinion, all manufacturers should provide samples free of charge inclusive of freight to prospective buyers........after all......it is the cost of doing business and should be included in their budget allocation for the fiscal year just as a supermarket or major store would allocate for loss of goods.
Some of the responses are quite disconserting and makes me wonder if doing business in China is going to be more of a headache. It would have been better to see more responses from buyers than sellers to gain a true perspective of what it entails to do business in China.
17 Jul 2007 06:38