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]:
Friends here said all is write .
I think sincerity is the most important thing .I will ask for the sample fee if the sample is value and also the freight fee .But if not so many sample and my client is sincerity I will consider for free .
I will also afraid that if clients just ask for sample not for the further business .So this is also another reason why I asked for the sample fee .
Friends here said all is write .
I think sincerity is the most important thing .I will ask for the sample fee if the sample is value and also the freight fee .But if not so many sample and my client is sincerity I will consider for free .
I will also afraid that if clients just ask for sample not for the further business .So this is also another reason why I asked for the sample fee .
17 Aug 2007 01:02
Post 3 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:
Please don't hesitate to say bye bye to him, if he doesn't want to offer you free samples really.
Please don't hesitate to say bye bye to him, if he doesn't want to offer you free samples really.
17 Aug 2007 18:38
Post 4 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:This question is a question which I now bumps into.But I am the supplier.Some customer want us to send samples to them. At first, we will send for free. But no reply after send them samples. Now we comany ruled should pay the sample charge and will returns after order it.It's also to show the sincerity of Customers.
17 Aug 2007 22:34
Post 5 of 638
Hi,
Not sure if somebody already answered your question. Here are my advices:
From my experience, the sample charge is usually 2 times the the unit price they quoted for you. If they are charging you more, then they must either think you are not a serious customer, or a novice (sorry to be blunt).
Actually, depending on the type of sample you are asking for, usually the factories are willing to offer the samples for free as long as you are willing to pay for the freight.
Lastly, I usually ask the factory to bear the bank charges, or at most share 50/50.
Good luck,
Not sure if somebody already answered your question. Here are my advices:
From my experience, the sample charge is usually 2 times the the unit price they quoted for you. If they are charging you more, then they must either think you are not a serious customer, or a novice (sorry to be blunt).
Actually, depending on the type of sample you are asking for, usually the factories are willing to offer the samples for free as long as you are willing to pay for the freight.
Lastly, I usually ask the factory to bear the bank charges, or at most share 50/50.
Good luck,
19 Aug 2007 20:55
Post 6 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:
i am sorry to hear so.
when i worked in plastic factory,i sent all the samples to freigner by free.because we think ,for plastic products,the value is cheap ,but for freight for ship is more than samples.so we always sent samples free.we always thougt,if the customer want to pay the freight,he is a potential customer.
but if for other products,not plastic,if it has high value,we need charge sample fee.
now i check your payment terms are very good for supplier.
we never have,we always do T/T,30%deposit,70%see the copy of B/L.
and we also need charge any bank fee from buyer.
i think you need contact details,if he want to have your business,he would send samples free for you.
and also,i think you can check other suppliers.if you have enough suppliers in hand,you can get better price and get better suppliers.
To do business ,i think both parties need do happly.if you feel not happy to do business with the supplier,you can change as you can.
Have you have a good business in China.
![[em1]](http://img.alibaba.com/images/eng/style/icon/emoticons_smile.gif)
i am sorry to hear so.
when i worked in plastic factory,i sent all the samples to freigner by free.because we think ,for plastic products,the value is cheap ,but for freight for ship is more than samples.so we always sent samples free.we always thougt,if the customer want to pay the freight,he is a potential customer.
but if for other products,not plastic,if it has high value,we need charge sample fee.
now i check your payment terms are very good for supplier.
we never have,we always do T/T,30%deposit,70%see the copy of B/L.
and we also need charge any bank fee from buyer.
i think you need contact details,if he want to have your business,he would send samples free for you.
and also,i think you can check other suppliers.if you have enough suppliers in hand,you can get better price and get better suppliers.
To do business ,i think both parties need do happly.if you feel not happy to do business with the supplier,you can change as you can.
Have you have a good business in China.
21 Aug 2007 19:20
Post 7 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:It is really a red flag.It drives me crazy.We hope this accident will not stand in way of your future business in China.We often send any sample to customers for free,you can contact us if you really need to look for plastic parts,we are a Plastics Extrusion Manufacturer in Dongguan,China
Welcome your enquiry and asking for samples!
I cannot show our contact information here,because the moderator will stop my doing so and delete my information.
I really can't stand this any more!
Welcome your enquiry and asking for samples!
I cannot show our contact information here,because the moderator will stop my doing so and delete my information.
I really can't stand this any more!
24 Aug 2007 23:49
Post 8 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]: You can talk with them,if you're interested of their products.
Anything will be possible by sincere communication.
If you have express account collect at your place,you can save banking fee,EMS fee,and have sample free.Just pay express fee at your place.
Anything will be possible by sincere communication.
If you have express account collect at your place,you can save banking fee,EMS fee,and have sample free.Just pay express fee at your place.
25 Aug 2007 05:28
Post 9 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:
Dear My Friend,
the prices are normal, if you could ensure the seller that you pay only freight cost for a light sample and he pay other cost, else not.
hence, you could would him to not take money for sample and you will pay shipping cost too. The method which I mentioed has mutual and equal advantage and disadvantage (risk).
For more information don't hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
Mohammad
Dear My Friend,
the prices are normal, if you could ensure the seller that you pay only freight cost for a light sample and he pay other cost, else not.
hence, you could would him to not take money for sample and you will pay shipping cost too. The method which I mentioed has mutual and equal advantage and disadvantage (risk).
For more information don't hesitate to contact us.
Best regards,
Mohammad
25 Aug 2007 10:31
Post 10 of 638
Replying to [DREW23]:
Dear Friend
I just would like to let my comments on these matters. Free samples are good for buyer, but not comfortable for some Sellers. Cause there are some buyers who just wander and ask for sample. Afetr getting sample they easily get lost, or then they will tell you that this is not the products they want to buy. I have experienced this in our deals. It is not easy sending so many samples the ones who only made requests. The better way is to have samples get paid. In this way Seller won't be uncomfirtable by paying freight fee and so no. This will protect Seller's from unserious buyers.
Dear Friend
I just would like to let my comments on these matters. Free samples are good for buyer, but not comfortable for some Sellers. Cause there are some buyers who just wander and ask for sample. Afetr getting sample they easily get lost, or then they will tell you that this is not the products they want to buy. I have experienced this in our deals. It is not easy sending so many samples the ones who only made requests. The better way is to have samples get paid. In this way Seller won't be uncomfirtable by paying freight fee and so no. This will protect Seller's from unserious buyers.
25 Aug 2007 22:45