How To Get Free Samples From Alibaba? (AliExpress, Shipping + More)

Do you know how to get a free sample from Alibaba or a free sample from AliExpress without shipping? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

Alibaba is one of the largest online retailers in the world, offering a vast range of products in many different categories. You can purchase for both personal and commercial reasons, with products coming directly from the manufacturer. For this reason, it makes sense that you might want to try out the quality and functionality of a product before you purchase.

In the rest of this article, we look at some of the best tips on how to get free samples from Alibaba, as well as some of the questions you might have.

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How to get free samples from Alibaba or AliExpress

Unfortunately, free samples are not available from every supplier on Alibaba or AliExpress, so the responsibility will often fall on you to reach out and enquire.

Some suppliers will happily provide you with a sample in the hope that you go on to make a purchase, while others are less keen. Let’s look at some of the best tips you can use to get free samples from Alibaba.

How to get free samples from an Alibaba vendor or supplier >> Check out the video below:

Tip 1: Check on the product page

Some suppliers will indicate on a product page whether they are happy to send samples out, so it’s always worth checking the individual page of the product you are interested in buying.

If the product page indicates that the seller is happy to give samples, all you need to do is tick the box on the page to request one for yourself or your business.

Tip 2: Contact the seller directly

If you have checked the product page and the supplier has not indicated whether they are willing to send out samples, you might need to get in touch with them directly to find out.

Some suppliers will still be happy to send samples even if they have not indicated this on the product page, so it’s always worth asking.

Tip 3: Provide clear instructions

Make sure that you provide clear instructions when you contact the supplier to request a sample. Things like ensuring you provide the right mailing instructions in full detail, including country, state, and all location codes, will make sure you receive the right product and don’t have to pay out any unexpected costs.

Tip 4: State your intentions

Always state your intentions when requesting a sample. Some suppliers might be more inclined to offer samples for free if they know you would be willing to make a large order if the sample suits your needs.

Many will be willing to take the price of the sample out of the order you place, meaning you won’t lose out on any costs.

Tip 5: Consider where you are buying from

If you are looking for free samples, consider that your location might mean you end up paying out on some things even if your sample is free.

All of the suppliers on Alibaba are based out of Asia, meaning you are likely to incur some charges on things like import and delivery costs.

Can you order a sample alone?

While many suppliers will happily allow you to order a sample without making any other purchases, you may be asked to pay the delivery fee.

This can be an expensive fee for something you are getting for free, so it’s worth considering your options. You might want to wait until you need to make an order and add your sample alongside it, instead.

It’s also worth noting that ordering a sample from most suppliers does not mean you’re obligated to purchase a large order in the future. Sometimes samples don’t meet your requirements or standards; in this case, you would not be expected to make a purchase in the future.

Why might someone want to order samples?

Samples can be massively helpful to individuals wanting to test a new product before purchasing. Alibaba offers a massive range of products and individuals want to be sure they are getting what they pay for; ordering a sample is a great way to ensure this before you pay out for a product.

However, samples are mostly beneficial for businesses. A store like Alibaba can be a goldmine for a business looking for new products to sell.

For commercial purposes, ordering a sample before placing a full order is one of the best ways of ensuring the product is right for the business.

A business might also wish to order samples to get a feel for the supplier and ensure that they are the right fit for you.

If a supplier is able to keep up with demand, offer assistance, and work in an appropriate manner, they are likely to be a good fit; ordering a sample is a great way to get a feel for how the supplier works.

Similarly, ordering a sample is a good way to show your intentions to a supplier and prove that you are serious.

Requesting a sample demonstrates your interest in the product and can help the supplier to see that you are serious about placing a larger order in the future.

It’s a great way of starting a relationship with a supplier without the risk of a large order.

What are the different kinds of samples you can get?

Alibaba suppliers offer a multitude of products in many different categories.

For this reason, different suppliers are likely to offer different types of samples, which may affect whether you need to pay for them or not. Let’s look at some of the different types of samples you can find on Alibaba.

Factory Samples

Factory samples are ready-made samples which require no customization. Typically, these samples cannot be personalized and are strictly made to meet specifications.

You might find these samples ship more quickly than others which require customization or alterations, as they are already made.

Custom Made Samples

These are samples which are specifically made to meet your requirements. It can take much longer to receive this kind of sample, as they are made to order with your own personalization.

It can also be risky if the product is new and previously untested, meaning fail rate is slightly higher.

Virtual Samples

A great option if you are looking to get a sample at minimal or no cost, virtual samples offer mock-ups of what your product might look like once it is completed.

This might mean a 3D model to be digitally tested or a Photoshop rendering to show design features. Virtual samples are a good way of ensuring a supplier is capable of meeting your requirements.

Production Samples

Production samples are taken directly from a batch of an already manufactured, mass-produced product.

They are ideal for anyone wanting to use the sample to get a feel for quality and functionality, or to run your own tests on the product.

Production samples are usually bought by anyone looking to retail the product for themselves.

Final Thoughts

Getting free samples from Alibaba is a great way to try something before making a big purchase.

For both businesses and individuals, accessing free samples may not always be easy, but it is certainly worth it to test the suitability of a product before making a large order. Here, we have looked at some tips to help you get free samples from Alibaba.

References

https://www.veem.com/library/request-sample-china-using-supplier-alibaba/

https://activity.alibaba.com/page/resources/How_to_request_samples.html