What to settle before you ask for samples
Hello, this is MAKENOV. With samples, receiving one matters less than knowing what you will check before it arrives. Without criteria, the conversation usually stops at "seems fine".
Why do sample requests fizzle out?
Because nobody decided what to look at beforehand. If there is no stated purpose, all that remains is one or two people's impressions, which is not enough to justify the next step internally.
It is the same on the supplier's side. "Please send samples" does not say which specification, what packaging, or which language on the label. They have to write back, and the schedule slips.
What should you settle before asking?
Six items are enough. Send these and most requests go through in one pass.
| What to check | The reason you want it: scent and texture, packaging strength, or label content. |
|---|---|
| Quantity | How many. Internal review and an in-store response test are different numbers. |
| Specification | Retail-ready or bulk, and whether you need the label in the local language. |
| Who pays | Sample cost and freight, and whether it is deductible from the main order. |
| Deadline | The date you need it by. If there is an internal meeting, use that date. |
| Documents | Ingredient list, test reports, copies of certificates. |
Decide these and the moment the sample lands, you already know what to examine. The decision comes faster.
Who normally pays for samples?
There is no fixed rule, but the most common split is the supplier covers the sample, the buyer covers international freight. Freight varies by destination and weight, so suppliers are reluctant to absorb it up front.
Proposing terms works better than asking for free. "We will pay for the samples. Could that be credited against the main order if it goes ahead?" — that usually opens a negotiation.
What should you record afterwards?
Record the arrival date, lot number, unboxing photos, and the result against each item you set. When the main shipment arrives later, this is the only basis you have for a quality discussion.
If something is wrong, be specific. "The quality is poor" changes nothing. Point out what differs and how, with photos, and you may be offered an alternative specification or a different line.
Pass or hold, tell the supplier your conclusion. The next deal goes far more smoothly.
About MAKENOV
MAKENOV is a B2B platform that gathers innovative products from suppliers worldwide and opens unit prices and minimum order quantities to buyers who pass business verification. Sample requests go straight to the supplier alongside your quote request.
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